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Web posted
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
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Guest column: Senator: Let voters decide
By Scott Richardson
Special to the Carolina Morning News
Voices of Carolina
I have just read the press release issued by Rep. JoAnne Gilham outlining her reasons for not offering for re-election to House Seat 123.
First, let me say I understand and respect her wishes to be true to her commitment to a pledge, signed in 1998 concerning term limits. But even more so, I understand the reality of her experience, which has shown her that a six-year term limit is unrealistic and detrimental to the people she serves.
She is absolutely on target when she refers to the power of seniority in the legislative system, but more accurately I would call it the power of experience and respect.
If one holds office with a humble nature, true convictions and a penchant for doing good for the people of South Carolina, there is no good reason for term limits.
I submit to the citizens of District 123 that JoAnne Gilham is honest, well-respected, trusted, relied upon and cherished by her House colleagues.
As legislation moves from body to body in the legislative process she has been invaluable to me in my role as your senator.
We all need to keep her respected and experienced voice working for us in the South Carolina House of Representatives. I urge the voters of District 123 to reject her offer to step aside.
In my mind she has fulfilled her pledge by merely offering. She should not be pressured from office by a group of well-intentioned but, I believe, misguided individuals from outside District 123.
We should decide whether JoAnne Gilham returns to the House of Representatives. I hope you all will join me in urging her to reconsider her position and offer herself for office once again.
Let the voting process decide whether Representative Gilham serves again. I have confidence many of you will join me in returning her to office in District 123.
The author, state Sen. Scott Richardson, is a Republican who lives on Hilton Head Island and represents District 46. He submitted this column on Tuesday.
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