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Article published Apr 17, 2003
State leaders call for change

AMY GEIER EDGAR
Associated Press

COLUMBIA -- The governor would appoint some statewide officers who are now elected and the governor and lieutenant governor would run on the same ticket under a state government restructuring proposal announced Wednesday by the state's top Republicans.
The South Carolina Government Restructuring Act also would give the governor greater flexibility to move Cabinet agency programs and functions from one department to another. It would greatly reduce the size of the Budget and Control Board, and create a Department of Administration as a Cabinet-level agency.
The legislation would make state
government leaner and more responsive, said Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell.
South Carolina is 30 percent above the national average in the cost of delivering goods and services to the citizens, Gov. Mark Sanford said.
"Restructuring, ultimately, is about delivering more cost-effective and cost-efficient government to the citizens of South Carolina," Sanford said.
While restructuring should not cost the state any money, it would likely reduce state jobs, Sanford said.
Former Gov. Carroll Campbell restructured state government a decade ago. House Speaker David Wilkins said this legislation would continue that process.
"Now that we've worked under that restructured government for almost a decade, we've seen what works and where we need to make even greater reforms," said Wilkins, R-Greenville.
Sen. Tommy Moore, D-Clearwater, said he would like to hear specific details of the plan and study the impact of restructuring.
"I think we need to find out what are the results of restructuring in 1993; what have we benefited; what monies have we saved?" Moore said. "Just to say we're restructuring and ride (off) in the sunset saying we've solved the problems of South Carolina, I think is very naive."
Under the legislation, some constitutional officers would be appointed rather than elected. The governor would appoint the secretary of state, the education superintendent, the treasurer and the agriculture commissioner.
Some lawmakers fear that will limit voters' rights to select candidates.
The "removal of direct public input" on constitutional officers is a significant change that will require lengthy debate by legislators, said House Minority Leader James Smith, D-Columbia.
But Sanford said the legislation would not take away voters' voices. "They will still have that loud and clear in the legislative and executive branches."
"We all agree the people's right to elect candidates to statewide offices is sacred and must be guarded," Wilkins said. "But we can also agree that just as the governor appoints the heads of agencies like DSS and the Department of Revenue, it's appropriate for him to make additional appointments."
By BRIDGET B. WINSTON
Staff Writer
It was worth the wait.
After being postponed twice because of rain last week, the Special Olympics Spring Games were held Wednesday at the S.C. School for the Deaf and the Blind. Under clear, sunny skies, about 550 athletes competed in track-and-field events, picnicked and enjoyed spending time with friends.
"I like doing it," said Spartanburg High School student Matthew Goode, 18, whose second-place ribbon from the 50-meter dash peeked out of his pocket. "I like to see all my friends."
The rescheduled event meant some athletes and volunteers could not participate, though.
"We lost about 200 athletes from Cherokee and Union counties because they're on spring break," said Area 12 Director Jane Warner. Area 12 includes Spartanburg, Union and Cherokee counties. Cherokee County will hold its own games in May, Warner said.
Athletes compete in the Spring Games to qualify for the state games, which will be held May 9-11.
Warner said the event also lost about 100 volunteers because of the schedule change. But with the help of some last-minute volunteers from Lander College and Spartanburg County Parks and Recreation, the games could go on.
The smaller crowd was actually a blessing in disguise, Warner said. The area where athletes normally compete in the softball toss is now a construction site on the SCSDB campus. So the softball events were moved to the track infield, where the running, walking and jumping events also were held.
Michael Long, a student in the school for the multi-handicapped at SCSDB, left his assistant in the dust as he raced down the roped-off lane of the 25-meter walk.
He came across the finish line and exchanged high-fives with everyone within his reach.
"Yeah! I did good!" he yelled again and again. "I did!"
Michael said he's been practicing for the race and enjoys the chance to compete in the Spring Games.
"It's cool because I like to play," he said.
Nine-year-old Roy Drummond, a student at McCarthy/Teszler School, was enjoying a can of soda while he waited for his name to be called for the 25-meter wheelchair race. He showed no signs of nervousness as he chatted with his cousin and admired a picture
of Miss Upstate Michelle Yvette Gwinn he had just gotten.
His cousin, Felicia Carson, came to volunteer for the event and was inspired by the spirit of the athletes.
"What's so amazing is that us people who have no problems are so sad all the time and they're so happy," she said. "We have nothing to complain about."
Fairforest Middle School student Toddrick Watkins, 13, has been competing in Special Olympics events for several years and said he enjoys the opportunity to participate.
"It's a great sport for the athletes to come out and compete," Watkins said. "I like the way it's going today. It's fun."
Watkins is one of eight athletes from Spartanburg and Union counties who will travel to Ireland in June to compete in the World Summer Games. They will join about 20 other South Carolina athletes as part of the 1,500-member American team. They will compete against 7,000 athletes from 160 countries in 18 sporting events.
Watkins said he is looking forward to the trip – not only for the athletic events, but also for the chance to travel to another country.
"I'm excited. It's going to be great," he said. "It's going to be an experience of my life. I'm going to try to meet people and find a leprechaun."
Bridget Winston can be reached at 562-7269 or bridget.winston@shj.com.