The first-term Republican legislator and candidate for the U.S. House has said he will ask the state to shift its money north to interchanges at Gold Hill Road and S.C. 160 instead. Those two exits, unlike Dave Lyle, are in his House district.

But Norman now says he will put that pledge on hold until he can discuss the project Monday with the state Department of Transportation. Last week, he said he would lobby to have the work abandoned unless city leaders change how they plan to spend the money.

Some city officials are questioning whether Norman is using his political influence to affect a decision involving his private development company.

Norman wants the city to cut down pine trees around I-77's Dave Lyle Boulevard interchange so I-77 drivers -- and potential shoppers -- can get a clearer view of businesses as they drive by.

The Norman family developed many of those businesses and still owns about 15 acres of prime real estate nearby.

Norman has said he opposes the city's plan -- which leaves 25 percent of the trees standing -- because it doesn't help businesses enough to make it worth the cost.

"It's a waste of taxpayers' money," he said.

The money, he said last week, could be better spent on sprucing up the I-77 entrances to S.C. 160 and Gold Hill Road in the fast-growing Fort Mill area.

The two sides appear headed for a showdown because city officials say they have no plans to change their approach.

Mayor Doug Echols said last week he was disappointed that Norman "would threaten in writing to use his political influence with S.C. DOT to kill a positive community and state project, when, as a private citizen, he didn't get his way."

Norman insists there is no conflict, saying he is standing up for taxpayers.

"Doug's entitled to his view," Norman said. "He can say what he wants. We just have different views on the role of government. I watch after the taxpayers' money like I do my own."

Echols said he and Norman have not discussed the project since Monday's City Council meeting, although they saw each other Friday at a school district breakfast.

"We said, 'Good morning,'" Echols said later.

Norman: City needs discipline

To Norman, the city's plan is part of a pattern of overspending that dates back more than a decade. He cites past cases such as spending $129,000 to put a copper dome on City Hall in 1992, and more recently, spending $232,000 for a brick facade and photographs of vintage cars on the city's Black Street parking deck this year.

"This is just another example," Norman said. "I would like to see more discipline with city spending. I think they're sincere in what they do. (But) taxpayers' money is sacred in my mind. And that's how it ought to be treated."

To city leaders, though, the Dave Lyle work is crucial because it could enhance the corridor's status as a hub for shopping and dining, and in turn, pour millions into city coffers.

The DOT is offering $1.2 million because the Dave Lyle interchange has been deemed a "gateway entrance" into South Carolina. The state has set aside money to spruce up these entrances.

To be eligible, the City Council must vote to put up $300,000 of its own money.

"If we don't spend it, it'll go to Columbia or Greenville or somewhere else," said Councilman Kevin Sutton. "You might as well take advantage of using some money."

Norman says the debate boils down to a disagreement about how tax dollars should be spent. But some city officials see it differently. In their view, it's Norman using his position to bully the city into doing what he wants.

"If I were a state legislator, I would be behind this project, not standing in its way," Echols said. "It is a lot of money. But those are big areas out there. You're doing it for the long haul. There's a difference between frivolous spending and long-term investment."

Former Rock Hill Mayor Betty Jo Rhea, who pushed for Dave Lyle to be extended onto land owned by the Normans, also defended the city's spending habits.

"Maybe we wouldn't have Dave Lyle the way that we do if we hadn't made some of the choices we did," she said. "That property, until Dave Lyle went in, couldn't be developed."

Ethical ramifications?

The chairman of the House Ethics Committee would not comment on the case last week, but said he knows Norman to be "cautious about what he does."

State ethics laws say that a public official may not knowingly use his official office to obtain an economic interest for himself or a business with which he is associated.

"Not having all the facts, I think I'd be hesitant to comment," said Rep. Roland Smith, R-Warrenville. "But from what I know of him (Norman), he's always been an honest, upright person. I trust he would not cross over the line."

Meanwhile, one expert says recent events like the Enron and WorldCom scandals have focused the public's attention on ethical matters.

"Ethics is front page news, probably now more than ever," said Bob Smith, a Clemson University political scientist. "It puts our public officials under the spotlight. They certainly have to be aware of that as they conduct the public's business."

Matt Garfield • 329-4063

mgarfield@heraldonline.com