Sanford looking out for people of S.C.

The following letter from Aiken County Councilman Scott Singer was published in the Aiken Standard.

Sunday, November 16



Sanford looking out for people of S.C.

On Tuesday, Nov. 11, the Associated Press reported that Gov. Mark Sanford had asked the U.S. Treasury Secretary to investigate the largest, publicly-traded bank holding company headquartered in South Carolina and the parent of Carolina First Bank. In short, Gov. Sanford was concerned that its chief executive officer, Mack Whittle, had moved up his previously announced retirement so that his $18 million retirement package could be funded by bailout money. According to regulatory filings, the company has petitioned the federal government for up to $350 million.

As I read this article, I had two immediate reactions. The first was a sense of outrage. I for one do not want a single nickel of public funds (i.e., my taxes) going to a company that is about to pay its retiring CEO $18 million! The second was how thankful I am to have a governor who is willing to stand up and do what is right on behalf of the ordinary citizen rather than the entrenched special interests that dominate our state.

As the former chairman of the University of South Carolina's Board of Trustees and the state Chamber of Commerce, the CEO in question wields significant political influence. No doubt, the "politically safe" thing for our governor to do would have been to keep quiet and remain on the sidelines. One could rationalize that since the bailout money comes from federal dollars this isn't even a state issue. But Mark Sanford is not like most politicians. Mark Sanford is going to do what he believes is right. And most importantly, Mark Sanford will always look out for you.

For six years Governor Sanford has attempted to restructure our government in order to bring it into the 21st century and make it much more efficient and accountable to you the taxpayer. Unfortunately, South Carolina is a legislature-controlled state and despite paying lip service to the notion of restructuring, the leadership has not taken decisive action. The Legislature will reconvene in January. Now is the time to contact your Senate and House representatives and demand action.

Scott Singer