The decision by the Sanford family to camp out, so to speak, in the pool house attached to the Governor's Mansion made headlines this week. While the temporary living arrangements of Gov. Mark Sanford and his family doubtless will continue to get plenty of press, the prime topic of mold-in-the-mansion conversation should be the length of time it took to get the problem addressed and who is responsible for paying the bills.
The governor's office has left no doubt about the extent of Jenny Sanford's distress over the handling of the mold problem. She is said to have reported her concerns nearly a year ago to the staff of the Budget and Control Board, which oversees state properties. Symptoms of those who spent time in the mansion reportedly included headaches, sinus problems and warts.
The fact that the mold became so invasive before it got serious attention has been described by Mrs. Sanford as "negligent, at best." The placement of dehumidifiers in closets, for example, clearly was an inadequate response. It was, in fact, Mrs. Sanford's contact with a private company that led to air-quality tests and the closure of the mansion, reopened only three years ago after a lengthy, $6.4 million renovation project.
A firm specializing in environmental problems now has been hired by the state to deal with the mold. A firm spokesman said early investigations suggest that dust sucked into the duct system aggravated a problem caused by an air-conditioning system too large for the mansion. The governor's office tells us that 26 people connected to the mansion have had health screenings. Of those, eight have been referred for follow-up checks. Estimates are it will be at least September before the mansion is reopened.
Now commuting from his Sullivan's Island home, the governor is expected to take up residence in the pool house beginning next week. Mrs. Sanford and the four Sanford boys are expected to join him when school starts next month.
The question remains: Who is accountable for this mess? It certainly provides new ammunition for advocates of government restructuring, who argue that the entire administrative arm of the government should answer directly to the governor.
The staff of the Budget and Control Board, which is responsible for such areas as procurement, general services, insurance and grants and the retirement system, answers to a director who answers to a five-member board. While that board is chaired by the governor, it also includes the treasurer, comptroller general, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
There will likely be plenty of discussion about the mansion mold when the board meets Tuesday. Mike Sponhour, spokesman for the board, tells us internal auditors are making a complete analysis of how the situation has been handled. "We want to know how we got where we are and how to prevent it from reoccurring," he said.
As for the mold itself, Mr. Sponhour said until the environmental firm finishes its work, "we won't know whether one person is to blame or a combination of factors played together." Surely the board will make every effort to ensure that after spending more than $6 million to renovate the mansion, the state won't have to bear the cost for what clearly was a serious and expensive mistake.
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