Archive By Section - Editorials
Noted and passed - Oct. 13, 2014
• We're seeing some good business and other news here in Kershaw County, showing signs that, perhaps, the community is beginning to climb out of the economic doldrums that have plagued us for too long now. The highlight of the week, of course, was word that Hengst is going through its third expansion, announcing it will invest $8 million into the Steeplechase Spec Building and bring 20 new jobs during the next three years. In the meantime, we've seen new small businesses spring up, or new life bloom in older ones, across the county. There are also still rumors ...
Shop local
We have often made the call for Kershaw County residents to shop at Kershaw County businesses -- to shop local. The message bears repeating, though, as the weather cools and thoughts turn to the upcoming holidays, from Halloween to Christmas.
Domestic violence
The National Football League has found itself on the wrong end of unfavorable publicity recently, most of it stemming from the league's longtime stance of doing little to punish players who are convicted of domestic violence. A video of Baltimore Ravens player Ray Rice punching his then-girlfriend (she's now his wife) in an elevator, knocking her to the floor in a violent gesture, brought the issue to the forefront. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has caught considerable heat from those who say he shoved the issue under a rug until the video forced him to take action. The same ...
Zemp Stadium
Zemp Stadium is celebrating its 85th anniversary, making it the longest continuously operating high school football stadium in the state. As we look back at its history -- as we did Wednesday -- it is also worth taking a second look at its possible future. One outcome is replacement, part of a pair of Kershaw County School District referenda on the Nov. 4 ballot. Under that scenario, Zemp would be replaced at the Camden High School (CHS) athletic complex on Ehrenclou Drive, leaving the original facility to a nebulous future. The cost of a new stadium is estimated at $4.6 million ...
Rhame Arena
The feeling of excitement at last week's Camden City Council meeting was palpable when architectural and engineering firms revealed their sketches for the renovation of Rhame Arena in the south end of town. The drawings were indeed startling -- perhaps because the aging structure has been deteriorating and decaying for decades now, and there has been doubt among some that a rehabilitation of the crumbling building was even possible. But possible it is, and not just to produce a humdrum building, but one that is attractive and will be a beckoning welcome to visitors driving into town from I-20 and ...
Noted and passed - Sept. 29, 2014
• Congratulations to everyone who participated in the Fine Arts Center's (FAC) "Dancing With the Stars" event. We think we can place it firmly in the "fun(d)raising" category, in that it not only raises money for the FAC, but raises the fun quotient with folks getting to see some of Kershaw County's notable residents doing their best to shimmy and shake or tango across the stage. Extra congratulations to Tyke Redfearn and Ginny Marshall for winning the technical award for best dance routine, and to Eric Boland and Amanda Smith for earning the People's Choice Award ...
Term limits
The concept of term limits became popular a number of years ago, but has since waned. Limits were enacted in many states across the country and in many of those, were repealed either through legal challenges or political considerations. Of course, it's not a new idea; the 22nd amendment to the constitution, ratified in 1951, prescribes that no person can serve more than two terms as president. It was passed largely because Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected four times and much of this country felt such longevity wasn't good for the country -- too much power invested in one ...
Political piety?
Many people here in Kershaw County -- and across the state and nation, for that matter -- are ready to breathe a sigh of relief when election day in November comes and goes. The political hot air has become stifling, with both parties ramping up negative ads and spinning their positions ad infinitum. With so many cable news networks and websites which make their living off political controversy, it's become virtually impossible to escape the constant drone of Democrats and Republicans.
She’s back
No couple in America stirs emotions like Bill and Hillary Clinton, so when she showed up at an Iowa political festival acting more and more like a presidential candidate, it caused quite a flap among those who have begun such movements as "Ready For Hillary," and also among those who'd rather see anybody than her become president. But it proved one thing: that even after decades in the spotlight of the political arena, she still commands attention.
The Harrell case
It was another black eye for South Carolina last week when Rep. Bobby Harrell, speaker of the House of Representatives, was indicted by a Richland County grand jury on nine counts, including illegally using campaign money for personal expenses, filing false campaign disclosures and misconduct in office. Harrell suspended himself -- how's that for an oddity? -- and will now face his government accusers. South Carolina certainly doesn't have a monopoly on political malfeasance but the Palmetto State has had more than its share of governmental scandal. We say that fully recognizing that Harrell is innocent until proven guilty.
Noted and passed - Sept. 15, 2014
• What a boon the S.C. Equine Park has been for Camden and Kershaw County! And now, with word that a second, larger covered arena will be built -- possibly as soon as this winter -- the park should ultimately bring even more people to the area than it already does. Think on this: even with the arena already in place, the equine park has been booked an average of 30 weekends each year, with an economic impact of $4 million. Imagine if, with the second arena, the park could be booked 45 or even 50 weekends each year. How much would ...
Elgin’s spirit
Elgin is certainly not the same community that it was a few decades ago. The sleepy little crossroads that existed then has now become the primary growth area in Kershaw County, with housing developments having sprung up all over West Wateree. The area is populated not only with citizens who were born and raised in Kershaw County but many who have moved across the county line from neighboring Richland County, and others who have found their way there from throughout the United States.
Truett Cathy
Folks in Kershaw County were excited a year or so ago when Chick-fil-A opened a store between Camden and Lugoff. The fast-food restaurant is one of the favorite quick eateries in the United States, especially in the South, where fried chicken has been a staple for centuries. We note that Truett Cathy, the founder of the 1,800-outlet chain, died recently at the age of 93.
Noted and passed - Sept. 8, 2014
• On the opposite page, you will see a column from S.C. Press Association (SCPA) Executive Director Bill Rogers on how two Lowcountry school board members left a meeting early and another one decided to not attend at all because of what they felt was an improper and possibly illegal executive session to discuss proposals to renovate an old school into district offices. We applaud those Jasper County school board members as well. However, we are also concerned with other recent S.C. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) violations. For example, and also from the Lowcountry: Beaufort City Council failed ...
Small Town, S.C.
Three different things in the Kershaw County news arena caught our eye recently, all of them typical of life in small-town South Carolina. And like most of you, of course, we consider small-town life a plus.
Articles by Section - Editorials
Eclipse fever
By now, the excitement is over, the sun is back out, the world is back to, if not normal, at least where it was before ...
Your local paper
Readers may have noticed a few changes in the C-I of late, particularly on our editorial pages.
Back to school
Thursday is the first day of school for Kershaw County students.
Max Ford
We join family, friends and the entire community in mourning the loss and celebrating the life of Max Ford, who passed away Tuesday, Aug. 8 ...
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