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Date Published: March 1, 2006
Governor suspends Eldridge
By LESLIE CANTU
Item Staff Writer
lesliec@theitem.com
Sumter County Council's district 3 seat is
temporarily vacant.
Gov. Mark Sanford signed an
executive order Tuesday morning suspending Councilman Ronnie
Eldridge from office until he is either convicted or acquitted
of the charge of criminal domestic violence of a high and
aggravated nature.
The governor's office faxed a notice
of the suspension to Sumter County offices Tuesday afternoon.
The governor's spokesman, Joel Sawyer, said previously
that the governor would appoint someone to fill the seat until
Eldridge's case is resolved.
On Tuesday, Sawyer said
the appointment process is just beginning.
Sawyer
couldn't say when an appointment would be made, saying the
time frame varies from case to case, but the appointment will
be based on input from the local community, he said.
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ELDRIDGE |
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council meeting Tuesday evening declined to comment on
Eldridge's suspension.
Eldridge's indictment on the
domestic violence charge was made public Monday. He was
arrested Dec. 11 after the mother of his child called 911 and
said he hit her.
The woman received treatment at Tuomey
Regional Medical Center. The following day, Sumter Police
Chief Patty Patterson said the woman suffered a broken
nose.
If convicted, Eldridge faces a prison term of one
to 10 years.
Contact Staff Writer Leslie Cantu at
lesliec@theitem.com
or 803-774-1250.
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March 3, 2006 
