(Sumter) April 28, 2004 - Governor Sanford toured Parris Island this week and told the military community he doesn't think they are in jeopardy, "It is, in many ways, irreplaceable and we're on an island right now and the fact you got that kind of natural boundary plays to this kind of recruiting facility. You never say never."

He says his biggest concern right now is Shaw Air Force Base will appear on a base closing list.

It's a frightening concept for Sumter businesses. Tori Markides runs Markides Jewelry, "We get a lot of cute little Airmen coming in looking for engagement rings." She says Shaw is invaluable to Sumter's economy, especially now, "Lots of manufacturing jobs have left. We're just starting to see it. They haven't left yet, but they're going."

The federal government won't decide on potential base closing at Shaw until next year. Sanford's recent statements have Sumter city leaders, like chamber of commerce president Grier Blackwelder, confused, "We're just wondering what he might know that we don't."

Blackwelder says city leaders believe Shaw is as safe as its ever been, "We've made visits to the Pentagon, we've made visits to Capitol Hill. What we're being told is that we're doing the right thing and we're moving full speed ahead."

They think there is a strong possibility Shaw will be combined with McEntire Air National Guard Station in the 2005 recommendation.

Tori will be happy as long as they don't lose Shaw altogether, "It's sad when anything closes when a plant closes in town, it's sad."

Sumter has already been hit hard when Bosch announced it is closing shop, taking more than 800 jobs with it. Sumter residents should know if the base will be closed by May of 2005 when the Secretary of Defense submits the list.
    
State leaders say to keep South Carolina military bases off the chopping block will cost $600,000.

By Megan Hughes
Posted 7:31pm by BrettWitt