A one-hour participatory exercise in democracy

Oconeeans turned out in droves last night in Westminster to hear and speak with the trio of men who represent them in the state legislative chambers at Columbia.  The approximate one-hour, annual constituents’ meeting arranged by Oconee’s state delegation made for standing-room only in the Westminster Depot.  Some 13 individuals took to the lectern to address the lawmakers on a variety of issues important to them.  Senator Alexander and House members Sandifer and Whitmire appeared delighted.  Blll Sandifer, a House member for around a quarter of century, commented at the end that he considers last night’s public meeting the best one.  That doesn’t account for the fact that some of last night’s speakers took the position that state government is not doing enough to benefit the poor, women, and minority populations.  The testiest moment came when one speaker, contending that the U-S should comport itself more like the country of New Zealand, complained that what she wanted to say was truncated by the three-minute time limit all of last night’s speakers were required to adhere to.  That it was Westminster’s turn to serve as the meeting locale enabled three people to make a pitch for Oconee’s third largest municipality.  All three urged the lawmakers to pay attention to Westminster’s efforts at improvement, and they specifically touted the Hall Road recreation project as an important step for their city.  Even though, as Tony James put it, not everyone in his city favors it.