Voice of the People - February 11, 2009
State must protect our drinking water
State Sen. Wes Hayes has introduced the Fair Share Water (S.275), which will help ensure our public right to clean and abundant water, and also preserve responsible economic growth in our state. Our water supply needs protection in regional water negotiations, and lack of such legislation has left us at a great disadvantage in attempting to settle our state's dispute with North Carolina over the Catawba River. How can our state expect other states to respect our rights as downstream users if vital withdrawal information is allowed to be withheld? Sen. Hayes' bill respects seasonal flows, and that, along with relying on the best science for maintaining healthy rivers, is critical to protecting our river resources. The Fair Share Water Bill will provide existing and prospective industrial users the water they need to flourish in South Carolina.
Based on information I have received while working with the Riverkeeper Foundation during the past year, as well as the fact that I have lived near Lake Wylie since 1943, I believe I can rightfully say that it is vital that this bill pass in its current language.
Passage of the bill will add public oversight to withdrawals and usage allocations through withdrawal permits. Two-thirds of our rivers have their headwaters out of state and a "fair share allocation" would enable South Carolina to protect downstream users, negotiate with other states over shared water supplies and maintain some authority in dealing with long-term climate impacts. The Catawba River is our drinking water resource, and it is imperative that it be protected. We are coming late to the table, as it is. Let's not delay any longer. Changes must be made, or soon we'll all be drinking the same muddy water.
Gail Driscoll
Lake Wylie
Honesty deserves a nice reward
Last Friday, I lost my wallet in the driveway of my business. A young man found it and returned it without disturbing the contents. My husband did not get his name, but I would like to do something special to reward him for his honesty. I would like to donate 15 manicures for him to decide how he would like to distribute them for Valentines Day. He can just tell me his name and location to redeem this gift. A big thanks to him!
Chan Finley
Rock Hill
Traffic is bigger priority than airport
Recently, a vehicle traveling south on I-77 struck the mast of a large road sign, resulting in the shutdown of all four southbound lanes approaching Rock Hill. The flow of normally heavy traffic could not be restored for some six hours. There were more than a few reports of cars running out of gas because of this protracted blockage.
Historically, local government officials have taken a passive stance in responding to the plethora of drivers' complaints about I-77 congestion and the risk drivers face by having to rely on this single high-speed route between Rock Hill and Charlotte. If this recent wreck does not serve as a clarion call for action, I don't know what will! How many York County residents own a plane? I would say very few, certainly far less than one percent. How many York County residents own a vehicle?
Yet, our county officials remain headstrong in wasting precious millions of dollars to increase airport capacity and doing literally nothing to augment ground transportation. Tax dollars would be more efficiently spent in mitigating traffic congestion, expanding the capacity of the interstate and working with Charlotte to extend the light rail to Rock Hill. But this will never happen on this watch.
We have a self-serving airport commission, composed only of airport proponents, who have the ear of county council. Drivers, on the other hand, have no such committee to look after their interests, and it appears that our county government is not going to create such a commission.
To continue to push for airport expansion when there are few data indicating the need for such and to ignore the well-documented traffic problems we currently have is sheer idiocy.
Rick Boulware
Rock Hill
Washington stifling the rights of states
"Clyburn works to circumvent Sanford..." should be disturbing to all. For those who can't see it, what few states' rights we have left are being slowly taken away under the guise of one crisis or another.
U.S. Rep Clyburn should be ashamed on preying on people's fears. All Americans, not just South Carolinians, should be alarmed at how easy it is for the Congress to totally obliterate the Constitution of South Carolina, our state Legislature and the voters' will.
Folks had better wake up, because once you start eating from the Washington trough, you will never ever be allowed to leave because it comes with chains, not strings. Surely you don't think Rep. Clyburn is going to drop the money and not dictate how it is spent and who receives it, do you?
I continue to be disappointed that Rep. John Spratt allowed this to be slipped into the bill. These guys are not looking out for the best interest of the citizens; it's all about Washington power over individuals.
Keith R. Sutton
Rock Hill
This story was originally published February 11, 2009 at 1:35 AM with the headline "Voice of the People - February 11, 2009."