Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009

South Carolina news | Business leaders hustle to back Graham

State News in Brief

COLUMBIA

Business leaders hustle to back Graham

S.C. conservationists and business leaders rallied to U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham's defense Tuesday, after an energy industry group began running ads critical of the Republican's support of a bi-partisan energy bill.

On a conference call, supporters said Graham is fighting for South Carolina's needs in the national energy debate, and that future U.S. prosperity and security depend on energy conservation and efficiency.

"If you're not at the table, you're on the table," subject to being carved up, said Michael Couick, president and chief executive of the Electrical Cooperatives of South Carolina Inc. "Lindsey Graham gets us a seat at the table."

Couick said an energy bill that is good for California or other large states might not be right for South Carolina, where a higher percentage of households earn $25,000 or less and are more likely to live in manufactured housing that may be less energy-efficient.

"We've found that Sen. Graham understands South Carolina and the challenges we face," Couick said.

COLUMBIA

Poultry plant given compliance deadline

Federal prosecutors are giving a South Carolina poultry plant facing immigration violations two years to get in line with federal practices.

U.S. Attorney Walt Wilkins said Tuesday that Columbia Farms, Inc., had also agreed to pay the government $1.5 million to settle pending claims against the company. Two accused employees will enter a supervised program aimed at clearing them of charges.

Federal agents rounded up hundreds of suspected illegal immigrants during a raid on the Greenville plant last fall. Many were deported.

Jury selection had been set to begin for a trial against Columbia Farms on charges the company knowingly hired illegal immigrants.

BEAUFORT

No jail time for officers in shakedown

A judge gave no prison time to two former South Carolina police officers who admitted they stole money from Hispanic drivers they pulled over.

The Beaufort Gazette reported Tuesday that the former Hardeeville officers were sentenced to probation and community service. Both were charged with misconduct.

Prosecutors say Tony Pollen of Ridgeland admitted targeting Hispanic drivers and taking money in exchange for not writing tickets. Pollen was also charged with embezzling more than $5,000. He received five years probation and 500 hours of community work.

Christian Nollinger of Bluffton admitted issuing two tickets to a Hispanic driver but destroying one and keeping that money. He received six months probation and four days of work.

CHARLESTON

Air Force leader to command new base

An Air Force vice commander from Charleston has been named the new commander for a Grand Forks, N.D. Air Force Base. Col. Donald Shaffer is to succeed Col. John Michel on Nov. 13.

The Air Force announced in September that Michel was being reassigned to Scott Air Force Base in Texas as its new executive officer for Air Mobility Command.

Shaffer is vice commander of the 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1987 and earned his pilot wings at Columbus Air Force Base in 1988.

CHARLESTON

Feline fans, bird lovers clash

If more feral cats are allowed to live, then more wild birds will die.

That is the cruel math driving a debate over plans in Charleston County to sterilize and vaccinate feral cats instead of killing them, as is the current policy. The initiative, funded by the ASPCA, seems like a compassionate idea to several local animal protection groups, but bird-lovers are aghast.

"Our laws say cats are supposed to be pets, and are supposed to be controlled," said Nathan Dias, executive director of the Cape Romain Bird Observatory. "They have no place in the wild."

Dias said feral cats have a terrible impact on bird populations, and particularly those species that nest on the ground in local marshes.

Charleston County and several municipalities, including Charleston, are considering ordinances aimed at allowing animal societies to trap and release "free-roaming" cats, after sterilizing, vaccinating, and micro-chipping them.

ROCK HILL

County to enforce animal cruelty law

Animal control officers in York County soon will be able to write tickets and issue court summonses to pet owners found in violation of the county's animal cruelty law.

County leaders passed tougher rules in February requiring residents to keep pets watered and fed. The rules also outlawed heavy chains as well as tethers that fail to meet certain lengths.

But animal control staffers couldn't enforce the policy until they completed training required by the state. The county sent its staffers to Midlands Technical College in Columbia after the state Criminal Justice Academy said it didn't have enough available slots.

On Monday night, County Council members voted 6-to-1 to grant enforcement authority. A "no" vote came from Councilman Curwood Chappell, who said staffers should get training more similar to sworn police officers. County Manager Jim Baker said he found the training to be sufficient.