Last Updated on 11/21/2008

Published on 10/9/2008

By Tim Callahan

Timcallahan01@aol.com

While the rest of the Waccamaw Neck finished dinner and perhaps prepared to watch the presidential debate Tuesday, 60 Democrat and Republican faithful were treated to a House District 108 debate at the library in Pawleys Island between incumbent Vida Miller, a Democrat, and political newcomer Jill Kelso, a Republican.

Both candidates carried themselves well. However, their differences were readily apparent. Take education ...

Miller said, "we have some of the best schools in the state. A Palmetto's Finest. SAT scores are up. The AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) was down, but there is an explanation for that."

The time limit imposed on candidates did not allow for the explanation.

Kelso said that without improving education economic development is impossible. "Half the students drop out. Who would want to employ them?" she said. "By federal standards, 80 percent of the schools in South Carolina are failing." With only 48 cents on a dollar making it into the classroom, she said, more money has to "get in the hands of the teachers not the fat cat bureaucrats in Columbia."

On educational vouchers, Miller said she is against using public dollars to fund private schools. However, she said the Legislature has passed a school choice bill and has charter school legislation. "I believe children should have a choice, but I am elected for public schools."

Kelso said she is for "anything that will better educate the children."

Miller said South Carolina's high standards hurt them when compared to other states. "It is not apples to apples," she said.

Kelso said "apples to apples mean nothing when half the students are dropping out."

Miller said that economic development has slowed because there is an overrun of housing and not enough jobs. She said a study is going on by the Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments and that she would use it to ascertain the area's needs. "We need to encourage tourism and encourage business, the health care and service industries," Miller said. She is hosting a roundtable in January, bringing state agencies to Georgetown to show them the area and introduce them to its people.

Miller is in favor of a gasoline tax, like they have in North Carolina and Georgia, to raise funds to improve roads. "But, not now, gas is too high."

Kelso said she has "never met a tax I liked."

Kelso is for term limits. Miller, who has served six terms, said she has term limits every two years when voters have the option to limit her term or not.

Kelso is for off-shore drilling. She said $2 billion could be available from it to give back to the people. "We do it off the Gulf Coast safely," she said. She also said sending hundreds of billions of dollars to the Middle East is a national security issue.

Miller said the Legislature has created a study committee on off-shore drilling and the results are not yet in. "I am open to suggestions and the study," she said.

Both candidates were in favor of improving roads. Miller said she brought Georgetown to the state Department of Transportation's table and has gotten $6.7 million in GSATs (Grand Strand Advisory Transportation Subcommittee) funding for the area and $136 million in overall funding for the district.

Kelso said the way to get a seat at the table is to have a Republican elected from the district as there is a Republican majority in Columbia.

Kelso said she is for the 701-31 connector, or Southern Evacuation Lifeline. "Hurricane Katrina taught us a lesson," she said.

Miller said she has been involved with the SELL committee from the beginning, which was an offshoot of a Georgetown County Road Task Force she was involved in.

That's when the debate got testy.

"You've never attended a SELL meeting in two and a half years," Kelso said.

"I keep up with everyone on the project more than you," Miller said. "It can't be finished until 2018. That's a lot of time and a lot of meetings to go."

Moderator Alan Altman brought the debate back on track, and following rules established at the beginning for the crowd and candidates, the debate was a cordial affair that received a loud round of applause at its conclusion.

What did each candidate think of Gov. Sanford's balanced budget proposal?

"I believe in a balanced budget," Miller said, "but at the end of the day it is the legislative process that creates the budget."

Kelso said Miller voted against Sanford's spending vetoes "99 percent of the time. We've wasted $1 billion. Government has grown by 40 percent. That is a major failure of Republicans and Democrats."

Concerning competitive grants, Kelso called them a "big scam on taxpayers" going to fund things like a balloon festival, an obesity study and green beans. It is another example of wasteful spending that goes on in Columbia and must be checked.

Miller said the people of Parkersville, the Rice Museum and Teach My People wouldn't want to be asked to give the money back. As for the green beans, Miller said, "you know what that is? It's a Green Bean Museum which is just like our Rice Museum. And obesity is the number one health problem in this state." She also said the grants are approved by a review board -- not the General Assembly.

Miller said her label as the most liberal candidate in the House is false. According to the ranking used, based on sustaining the Republican governor's vetoes, she said there are "40 people more liberal than I am" in the House and Senate.

What responsibility should legislators have to protect the public's investments, like with Five Rivers?

"I was on the board," Miller said. "I went to one meeting and was kicked off the board for not attending meetings. They should go to jail. I am for prosecution."

"I guess we don't attend meetings when we are legislators," Kelso said.

Kelso said that, while the area is doing well with marine biology research, "we need to do more." The area needs to become the premiere marine biology research center in the country, she said.

Miller said it already is. "Baruch-Hobcaw received $5 million," she said.

In summary, Miller said that "in 12 years we have made progress, we have accomplished a lot ... new schools ... improvements to Highway 17... almost $7 million in GSATs funding, and $136 million in District 108 funding overall."

Kelso said "the status quo is not working. The state is $90 million in debt. Education is not working. We have terrible roads.

"Do you like it the way it is?" Kelso asked. "Are you better off than 12 years ago? If so, don't vote for me. The governor was elected overwhelmingly. We all agreed with the reforms. We need to change the government."