Jill Kelso: Not about party,
but what is right or wrong
Last Updated on 12/1/2008
Published on 9/30/2008
By Tim Callahan
Timcallahan01@aol.com
Vida Miller is running on her record and experience. Jill Kelso is running against her, saying Miller's record and experience are overrated and underscrutinized.
"She is one thing here and somebody else in Columbia," Kelso said. "Governor Mark Sanford ran on reform and he was overwhelmingly supported in this district in the election. But Miller bucks him at every turn."
"She is not a reformer, but part of the status quo," Kelso said. "People are fed up with the status quo. Period. I am so tired of the same old stuff going on."
Kelso, 32, has no political experience but, after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in English in 1999, she substitute taught and then worked at the Close Up Foundation and was membership coordinator for the National Rifle Association, two organizations that walk in the political realm. Close Up is a non-profit that teaches middle and high school students a multi-partisan approach to civics using Washington as its classroom. The NRA is a pro-second amendment (the right to bear arms) association.
"I firmly believe in the second amendment," Kelso said. She is also for limited government, fiscal responsibility and accountability and term limits. She is firm and unapologetic in her beliefs.
She owns her own business, Smart Saver, a direct mail advertising firm. She bought out her father's majority stock last year. She is married and has two daughters, ages 3 and 5. Growing up in Fairfax Station, Va., she has known her husband, John, since they were 12. Her parents had moved to this area and, after several visits, the Kelsos moved to Mt. Pleasant but only stayed for 18 months.
"We were looking for a slower pace and a close-knit community," she said. A tobacco shop was up for sale in this area and her husband, a district manager for 15 cigar shops, jumped at the opportunity to own his own shop. They bought Havana Cabana and moved here in 2003. "The stars aligned," Kelso said. John has since sold the shop and moved into the mortgage broker business.
Kelso said the first steps are being made in Columbia to help education with the formation of a study committee on how to refund education. As to what to do with education dollars, she said the principals should have more control. "We are funding programs instead of schools and students."
She is an advocate of merit pay. "As John McCain said, 'If they are not good teachers, help them find a new vocation.' It is not progress to keep teachers in the classroom who don't belong there."
With the ecosystem in this area, she said she can't believe there is no major marine research facility in the district. "We are not doing enough," she said.
She said the port in Georgetown is underutilized and, "with only two roads to take us out of the county, there is no way to move goods in and out of the area and a seriously limited evacuation route. That is scary."
She said her business has firmly rooted her in the community and she has met so many people that way. She is "going everywhere" to campaign, she said, taking surveys and passing out literature with her cell phone number on it. "People should be able to reach their representative at any time," she said.
Kelso said her race is non-partisan. "It is not about the Republican party. It is about right and wrong. The representative is not doing things right. I have to go up there. There is no balance, no accountability and no system of checks and balances."
She said pork spending has to be stopped. "There is millions of dollars in pork being wasted on representatives' pet projects." She said Miller has voted for pork but none of its makes its way to this district.
She said the governor has term limits and he is the one who takes the heat on all the major issues, while the representatives have no term limits and shift the blame.
"It is a totally inefficient system of government," she said.
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The talk was hot and heavy on Front Street today about Ron Charlton's out of wedlock daughter going public. I think this is one very brave young lady and she should not stop until her story is heard. I know a few people who called the Times today asking why her post was censored and I know one or two people who want the young lady shut up quickly. I want to tell her since she is reading this site I am proud of her and there are many of us behind her effort. This town is full of people like Ron Charlton (and apparently a lot of illegitimate kids) who hope and pray their sorrid stories make it public. Thank you to everyone who helps the young lady's story get out so the truth can set us free. Posted by looky here on 10/8/2008
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hey amy - there is actually 2 NERRs in SC... the other is the ACE Basin, so people do make mistakes. Posted by Sam on 10/6/2008
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What is Ms. Kelso's view on illegal labor? Will she come out and state that it's wrong for local buisness's to keep steeling from the poorest among us the hourly wage worker. Posted by joe on 10/4/2008
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As the conservative Republican Candidate for SC House Seat 108, it's important that I set the record straight regarding my position on marine research facilities in the area. Tim Callahan is a fine reporter who I believe is doing a terrific job ... but after a 90 minute interview covering dozens of issues, its easy to understand how I could have been misquoted. I am keenly aware of the fine work of the Hobcaw Barony/Belle W. Baruch Foundation. My point was that I believe a key to economic diversity here is to make the northern coast of SC the epicenter of marine research and technology development in South Carolina and America. Our unique ecosystem is ripe for research and discovery and we should take advantage of it by expanding facilities and attracting both public and private interest. I apologize for any miscommunication, I hope the issue is now clear. Jill Kelso Posted by Jill on 10/3/2008
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As the conservative Republican Candidate for SC House Seat 108, it's important that I set the record straight regarding my position on marine research facilities in the area. Tim Callahan is a fine reporter who I believe is doing a terrific job ... but after a 90 minute interview covering dozens of issues, its easy to understand how I could have been misquoted. I am keenly aware of the fine work of the Hobcaw Barony/Belle W. Baruch Foundation. My point was that I believe a key to economic diversity here is to make the northern coast of SC the epicenter of marine research and technology development in South Carolina and America. Our unique ecosystem is ripe for research and discovery and we should take advantage of it by expanding facilities and attracting both public and private interest. I apologize for any miscommunication, I hope the issue is now clear. Posted by Jill on 10/3/2008
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Jill Kelso reminds me of The Wizard of Oz: "Ignore the man behind the curtain." If Tom Swatzel and Jill Kelso are in the same room, can she speak if he is drinking a glass of water? Do his lips move when she speaks? I'm sure Clownahan loves Kelso. Both of them moved to area recently and now whine and complain and think they represent us. Posted by Coastal Observer fan on 10/1/2008
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I am shocked to hear Jill Kelso state that there is no major marine research facility in Georgetonw! Georgetown is home to the North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR). The North Inlet-Winyah Bay NERR is the only national estuarine research reserve in the entire state of South Carolina and one of 27 in the whole Country. It is home to the Baruch Marine Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences, the Baruch Marine Field Lab, Clemson's research center and the Hobcaw Barony Discovery Center. There are a number of public educational opportunities available through Hobcaw Discovery Center. Posted by Amy on 10/1/2008
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The marine institute at Baruch has been in existence for almost forty years. Ms. Kelso is only 35, so we should not blame her for being ignorant of something that was founded before she was born. I think this blooper on her part shows her true colors....speak before thinking and to heck with the ramifications! Thanks for helping me make up my mind, Ms. Kelso! Posted by Georesident on 10/1/2008
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Jill Kelso is nothing more than Tom Swatzel's sock puppet. Swatzel wants to defeat Vida Miller because Vida supports public schools. Tom Swatzel is chairman of South Carolinians for Responsible Government, one of the organizations funded by the New York real estate developer and libertarian political extremist Howard Rich. South Carolinians for Responsible Government consistently target state legislators that support public education. Swatzel began his attacks on Vida Miller in July of 2007. In the following months he issued a steady stream of vicious press releases. To defeat Vida Miller, Swatzel had to find a candidate to run against her. Swatzel recruited Jill Kelso. Jill Kelso only recently moved to this area. Kelso has not held any elective office. Kelso has not served on any local boards or commissions. Kelso has not been active in any community or service organizations. Kelso is simply a front for Tom Swatzel and South Carolinians for Responsible Government. Posted by Richard on 10/1/2008
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The USC lab at Hobcaw is not a major marine research facility. Have you ever tried to enter the "lab"? You can't get in. How many students use it? Mike you don't know what you are talking about. Mike you don't know as much as you think. Vida is a good Democrat. I rest my case. Posted by report on 10/1/2008
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Perhaps Ms. Kelso should live in SC for a little longer before she runs around pointing fingers and poking people in the chest. That approach won't do this district any good, no matter what she believes. Posted by SC Voter on 10/1/2008
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What is this women talking about.."she can't believe there is no major marine research facility in the district. " What would she call the USC lab at Hobcaw. This shows what she knows about the area. Posted by Mike on 10/1/2008
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