Letters to the editor for June 13

Coleman offers good judgment

I would like to take a few keystrokes to endorse Creighton Coleman in his re-election bid for S.C. Senate District 17. Creighton has been a state representative for 10 years and is only in his second term as our District 17 senator serving Chester and Fairfield counties and a portion of York County.

Having been in public office for 18 years overall, he has built relationships, is a ranking member and has great camaraderie with the state deligation. Creighton has never promised to kick the door down in Columbia as some would lead you to believe they can do.

It’s about team work, committees and streams of revenue, and Creighton gets that. He is in perfect position now to be that powerful voice.

It’s easy to question a yea or nay vote with any elected official anywhere in the country and certainly here in South Carolina. However, our roads are not failing because of Coleman or anyone on the Democratic side of the aisle nor are we ranked near the bottom of the education ranking because of Coleman’s voting record.

Our state isn’t a poor state by any stretch of the imagination. We just have some who continue to hold the entire state back because of their party alliances on some key issues. When it comes to roads, education, fully funding the Local Government Fund and other key issues, Creighton has been standing with the people. There isn’t anything to gain but there is a lot this district could lose if we change leadership right now. This is why I fully support Sen. Creighton Coleman for District 17.

Bump Roddey

York County Councilman

Rock Hill

Fanning has many valued virtues

In the recent Democratic primary race, voters across this country chose the candidate who best represented the combination of virtues they most valued: competence, passion, policy expertise, compassion, honesty, vision, change, leadership.

On Tuesday, South Carolinians in Senate District 17 face a much simpler choice. If you’re looking for the most compentent, passionate senator, vote for Mike Fanning.

Do you want a Senator with policy expertise or one with compassion? Either way, vote Mike Fanning.

Do you value honesty, practical know-how and a vision for real change? Vote for Mike Fanning.

I think what we all want most of all is a true leader who will be a tireless, strong, and compelling voice for the people of South Carolina.

So on Tuesday, vote Mike Fanning!

Leland Graham

Rock Hill

Tolson knows law enforcement

I first met Kevin Tolson in the early 1990’s while he worked as a York County road deputy and I worked as a prosecutor. He responded to a child sexual assault case and I prosecuted the defendant. Despite being a novice at that time, Mr. Tolson displayed the type of investigative skills and intuition that an experienced investigator would have to admire. His thorough work helped to ensure a successful prosecution of the case all the way through the trial.

Over the years, Mr. Tolson continually proved himself in every aspect of law enforcement. He created an exemplary record with the York County Sheriff’s Office, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the York County Forensic Services Unit and the 16th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. I consider it a privilege to have worked closely with him in every aspect of his distinguished law enforcement career.

Mr. Tolson makes a significant, positive difference in every case he works, every officer he trains, every officer he supervises, and every crime victim he helps. He is the only candidate for sheriff who has such well-rounded law enforcement and leadership experience.

Kevin Tolson helped create the York County Forensic Services Unit, and he successfully lead the Forensic Services Unit for many years. Kevin Tolson is well respected among his law enforcement peers and leads by example. He knows what it takes to run the Sheriff’s Office. He is prepared. He will inspire his officers, and he will continue to prove that he is a great asset to the good people of York County.

Willy Thompson

Rock Hill

This story was originally published June 12, 2016 at 9:10 PM with the headline "Letters to the editor for June 13."