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‘We can’t breathe’ Protests spread across country THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014
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Manning mayor to receive kidney BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Manning Mayor Julia Nelson, who is also director of the Sumter County First Steps program, will be receiving a special Christmas gift. A suitable donor has been located in Indiana, and she is scheduled to receive a kidney transplant at Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston as early as this afternoon. Nelson anNELSON nounced in November 2013 she had been diagnosed four years earlier with polycystic kidney disease, a disorder in which cysts form in a person’s body — most commonly in the kidneys — which can result in kidney failure. Nelson learned a year ago her condition had reached a critical stage. She has been on a kidney waiting list since that time. “I’ve known about the donor since around Thanksgiving,” Nelson said. “I did not want to put it out there too early because it involves four people.” Nelson’s transplant involves a Sumter woman, Arlene Anderson McCloud, who was tested to see if she could donate a kidney to Nelson; however, it was not a match. “I am in awe of the multiple acts of kindness and the number of individuals that attempted to be donors,” Nelson said. “After multiple attempts, God favored me with an angel from Sumter.” Unfortunately, McCloud’s kidney was a perfect match for Nelson except for the antibodies. But because McCloud was willing to help, she agreed to donate a kidney on Nelson’s behalf. That allowed MUSC to
PHOTOS BY RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM
Rep. Murrell Smith Jr., R-Sumter, addresses questions asked by moderator Jack Osteen, left, during the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast on Wednesday morning.
Local delegation addresses Sumter Chamber at annual breakfast BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Bumpy roads may lie ahead for the South Carolina General Assembly, local delegates said Wednesday at the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast. About 100 chamber members attended the annual breakfast, which was also broadcast live on a local radio station. With the state facing costs to maintain roads and bridges that will exceed revenues by an estimated $1.5 billion a year for the next 26 years, five members of the local delegation agreed additional revenue will be needed to fix South Carolina’s roads. “We have to accept the fact that we need revenue,” said Sen. Kevin Johnson, D-Manning. “$1.5 billion is a lot of money. It is an economic development issue and a public safety issue. We can’t kick the can down the road. I think it is irresponsible not to raise revenue. It should be one of our top priorities this year. I think the people of South Carolina will be willing to pay more in taxes.”
SEE NELSON, PAGE A5
State Rep. Grady A. Brown, D-Bishopville, answers questions about state funding for road construction. Several members of the delegation gave qualified support to the idea of raising gasoline taxes to reduce the funding shortfall.
“People on the street ask me, ‘When are you going to increase the gas tax to get our roads fixed?’ I think the people want this,” said Rep. Robert Ridgeway, D-Manning. Rep. Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, said Gov. Nikki Haley has promised to veto any increase in the gasoline tax. “The governor said she will not allow a gas tax, and she more than likely has the votes to sustain a veto,” he said. “Everything should be on the table,” said Sen. Thomas McElveen, D-Sumter. “If gas tax is not part of the equation, then how are we going to do it? The governor said she has a plan, but where is it?” “The governor has said over and over she is going to get the money,” said Rep. Grady Brown, D-Bishopville. “I am in favor of a small gasoline tax if the big counties don’t get all the money.” The local delegation lashed out at how state money is distributed, all of them agreeing Sumter County and surrounding rural areas don’t get the resources
SEE LAWMAKERS, PAGE A5
County starts dialogue on purchase of new 911 system BY RAYTEVIA EVANS ray@theitem.com Sumter County Council unanimously approved a resolution that supports going into a lease agreement with Motorola for the purchase of a new emergency radio system — one of 28 penny sales tax projects in the county.
The improvement to the emergency communication infrastructure for the county is at the top of the list of projects, along with a new City of Sumter Police Department headquarters and a new downtown fire station headquarters for the city and county. Sumter County residents voted “yes” for the bal-
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lot referendum in November, which will continue the tax started in 2009 and raise $75 million to go toward the projects that range from infrastructure to public safety. County Administrator Gary Mixon said the lease agreement includes the purchase of 941 radios for city and county emergency communication.
DEATHS, B5 Ruth R. Richardson David R. Weasner E. Clifton Winkles Jr. Johnny Lee Boone Almena A. Gainey
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The needed equipment has a contract price of a little more than $3.8 million. Mixon explained that the county was interested in entering an equipment lease-purchase agreement with Motorola, which would allow the county to receive a two-year warranty along with the equipment and make the first payment
for the purchase due in January 2016. The company is working with Sumter County administration to come to reasonable terms for the leasing of the equipment. According to the lease provided as an attachment on the county website, the county
SEE COUNTY, PAGE A5
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