Wingate, a Columbia attorney, said the committee hopes local residents will attend the hearings to share their state government experiences, complaints and suggestions with members.

"For me, Rock Hill holds special promise of good insights," Wingate said, adding that residents of border counties are particularly aware of contrasts between South Carolina and other states regarding government services.

The meeting will be from 5 to 7 p.m. at York Technical College.

Wingate said the MAP Com-mission is studying many different ways to improve and streamline government. For instance, members are evaluating accounting systems, the way agencies use vehicles and buildings, and agency customer service, he said.

The commission already has decided to recommend a massive restructuring of the De-partment of Social Services, Wingate said, although members are not ready to release details.

"The recommendations of the MAP Commission will comprise the real platform for what the governor is going to do," said Mike Sponhour, spokesman for the State Budget and Control Board.

The commission is comprised of 14 business people, some Republicans and some Democrats, Wingate said.

York County businessman Harry Miller Jr., executive vice president for planning and development for Comporium, serves on the MAP Commission.

In addition to the core members, hundreds of others citizens are involved in the MAP project, Wingate said.

"People don't realize what a massive effort the MAP Commission is," he said. "In addition to the members, there are 10 committees of volunteers from both the private sector and government, about 300 people in all, working from a few hours a week to 50 or 60 hours a week."

Residents who are unable to attend the hearing can submit their concerns and suggestions in an online MAP survey at http://www.myscgov.com/

Contact Karen Addy at (803) 256-3800 or mailto:kaddy@heraldonline.com