(Columbia-AP) Feb. 6, 2003 - Dozens of people
got their chance from 4-9pm Wednesday night to
speak with Governor Mark Sanford one on one for
five minutes about their concerns regarding
state government.
Sanford hosted his first ever Open Door
After Four, and it's already proven popular.
Dozens of people stood on line outside the
governor's office Wednesday morning to get on
the Open Door After Four list.
Sanford's spokesman Chris Drummond says the
signup began at 9:00am, and all appointments
were filled for Wednesday night by 9:12am. About
60 people were able to get a face-to-face
with Governor Sanford on February 5th.
Roberta Atkins of Lexington got on the list.
She was concerned about the state losing money
from people not getting business licenses, "We
have a lot of people buying at wholesale and
selling at retail not paying taxes to the
state."
Brenda Merritt was one of the first to sign
up, "It personally strikes me at home. I'm a
victim of domestic violence, and the resources
are not out there."
When Brenda came out of Sanford's office,
WIS asked her how things went, "Says he'll
give me homework assignments about domestic
violence and bring them to the next meeting.
Hopefully he'll bring this to the agenda and get
some action rolling."
Otto Ray Pierce, a teacher in Hemingway, also
waited. He wanted to share his vision for a mall
and amusement park that would help pay for
public school vocational training, "It would
better prepare them for college. If they didn't
want to go to college, it would give them skills
that are marketable."
Angela Bone talked about increasing penalties
for harming guide dogs, "They're valuable
medical equipment and tough to train."
After the first Open Door After Four list
filled, the governor's office began scheduling
appointments for a second session on March 5th,
all of which filled by 9:45am. Drummond says the
governor has added another evening of
appointments on February 19th, which also is
full. Sanford will meet with an average of 46
people for about five minutes on all three days.
Sanford has pledged to hold at least one
meeting a month while he's in office. He said he
would hold public office hours in his State of
the State speech. People who want to spend five
minutes with Sanford have to sign up at the
Governor's Office or have to call 803-734-2100.
They will have to bring a photo ID and have
their Social Security number.
By Jennifer
Miskewicz
Updated
8:08am by Chris
Rees
