State holds contest to find new license plate design

GREER -- Kelsey Driscoll clutched her new license plate, decorated with a gray kitten and brown puppy, in her hand.

The 16-year-old said the "No More Homeless Pets" plate -- the stuff of warm and fuzzy dreams -- matched her perfectly, and if she had a say so, all of the state license plates would resemble hers.

Furry, fluffy animals may not be every South Carolinian's style, but Gov. Mark Sanford and the S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles are welcoming ideas like Kelsey's through a license plate design competition.

The winning plate design will replace the current standard state license plate -- that of the Palmetto Tree -- and will be produced in 2008.

The contest is open to all South Carolinians interested in designing a plate that represents the quality of life in this state.

Sanford said Wednesday that state leaders are very interested in what South Carolinians want to identify their state, while identifying their automobiles.

"We want to know what's (your) take on what the license plate should look like," Sanford said during a news conference. "This way more people can get a voice."

Artwork submissions will be accepted, in electronic formats, from Nov. 1, 2006, to Jan. 31, 2007.

A panel of judges will narrow the entries down to three, and the public

will vote on the finalists.

Rebel flags and manatees

Sanford encouraged those interested in the contest to enter designs that reflect South Carolina's way of life.

For many, that may mean taking an existing designer plate, tweaking it a bit and bringing the concept to the masses.

South Carolina already has designer plates representing a laundry list of interests and experiences, including plates for the state's colleges, World War II veterans, fans of square dancing, fishing fanatics, NASCAR lovers, golfers, environmentalists and amateur radio buffs.

Blue Ridge resident Dale Mathis said Wednesday that he wouldn't mind seeing the state's Confederate past displayed on the standard license plate. There's already a plate for sons of Confederate veterans.

"I like the rebel flag representing South Carolina," Mathis said while waiting in his pickup truck outside the DMV. "But I think it would cause hard feelings and offend some people. So I guess I like it the way it is."

Kelsey and her father, Steve Driscoll, moved here from Florida about a year ago.

Steve Driscoll, a big golf fan, said a picture of golf clubs would be fun, but certain state attractions would be appropriate for the plates, too.

"Maybe something with landscaping would be nice, that's real appealing," he said, with a small pause. "Better yet something like the words 'litter free,' especially for the Greenville area."

"One of the reasons why we moved here is because it was so green and clean."

Kelsey nodded her head, keeping her eyes fixed on her brand new license plate.

"I'd do more of an aquatic scene or show endangered species, like a manatee," Kelsey said.

Her father looked at her incredulously and laughed, "a manatee?"

Kelsey nodded again.

"I like supporting animals," Kelsey said, showing off her plate. "I just think its something a lot of people would have an interest in."

Jessica L. De Vault can be reached at 562-7216 or Jessica.devault@shj.com.