Lively, well-attended meeting with the local state lawmakers

Members of the public called their state lawmakers’ attention last night to the many problems facing society, with the hope that the three Oconeeans who serve the county in Columbia can take active roles in eliminating them. Improving education and protecting the integrity of the voting system were two of the more common themes expressed among speakers from the public during the annual public meeting of the Oconee state legislative delegation. Several members of the public picked up on the call by Henry McMaster, the newly inaugurated governor, to raise the quality of education for the betterment of all. Among them: Jody Gaulin, the Democrat who made a bid last November to unseat long-time Rep. Bill Sandifer. Gaulin referred to the “Corridor of Shame”—the group of the poorest South Carolina counties that have lacked top quality education—and said what’s past is past and the time is now for comprehensive education advancements. Eleanor Hare and Janie Shipley of the League of Women Voters commended Senator Thomas Alexander for sponsoring a bill to make paper ballots, in place of automated voting machinery, the ballot of record when it comes to verifying election results.