IN SPORTS: Four teams represent area in upcoming SCISA softball tourneys B1 A LOOK BACK Associated Press reviews its coverage of Nazi Germany A4 THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017 | Serving South Carolina since October 15, 1894 75 cents FIXING S.C. ROADS Legislature overrides governor’s veto COLUMBIA (AP) — A bill raising groups, to find a reliable revenue “His veto message amounts to little to recoup their extra costs during the taxes and fees to repair South Caroli- stream for repairing South Carolina’s more than asking us to reorganize the phase-in. The first 2-cent increment, na’s crumbling highways became law unsafe roadways and bridges. deck chairs on the Titanic in hopes it taking effect July 1, will be the first gas Wednesday over Gov. Henry McMas- House Speaker Jay Lucas said Mc- won’t sink.” tax hike in 30 years. ter’s veto after House leaders blasted Master, who replaced Nikki Haley as McMaster spokesman Brian Symmes It would also increase and create the Republican governor as failing to governor in January and is seeking said the governor “simply doesn’t be- other fees, to collectively pump an provide leadership on the state’s top his first full term in 2018, put the ad- lieve that raising taxes is the best way to additional $177 million into road- priority. vice of campaign consultants over address government’s inefficiencies.” work next fiscal year. Once fully The override votes — 95-18 in the South Carolinians. The law will raise the gas tax by 12 phased in, the bill would raise more House and 32-12 in the Senate — culmi- “The governor has chosen to place cents per gallon over six years, to 28.75 than $600 million annually and cut nated a three-year legislative effort, politics over policy. That doesn’t solve cents, though a provision allows South backed by business and trucking problems,” said Lucas, R-Hartsville. Carolina drivers who itemize their taxes SEE VETO, PAGE A5 Supreme reception LEFT: The Honorable George C. “Buck” James Jr., center, speaks with Gen. Hugh McLaurin, right, while Marion Moses, left, looks on at a re- ception Tuesday following James investiture as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of South Carolina. Dozens of friends, family and coworkers from Sumter and all over the state attended the event at the Capital City Club in Columbia to show their congratulations and support. James was elected on February 1 by the General Assembly. The last Supreme Court Justice from Sumter was Ernest Finney Jr. who retired in 2000. BELOW: James, right, talks to close friend John Brab- ham while James’ wife Dena looks on at Tuesday’s reception. PHOTOS BY JACK OSTEEN / THE SUMTER ITEM <UNICODE-WIN> <vsn:5> <pstyle:BODY COPY> SUMTER SCHOOL DISTRICT Public expresses disappointment with board working adults,” Taylor said. “I School closures, thought you all were well-educat- School board bill moves ed individuals ... However, Sum- mismanagement ter County residents have been to governor’s office hoodwinked, by not just one per- son, but almost an entire school BY BRUCE MILLS at top of list board of ‘yes’ men and women. [email protected] “It’s really sad to see those who BY BRUCE MILLS have such outstanding creden- A bill to expand the Sumter School Board of [email protected] tials would stand for the Okie Trustees by two voting members passed third Dokie. I could see you standing in and final reading in the state House of Repre- Residents who spoke during the the beginning before the vast sentatives on Wednesday. public comment portions of Mon- amount of evidence was released, On Tuesday, the bill received second reading day’s Sumter School District Board but you have been presented with in the House with an amendment to change the of Trustees meeting expressed in the proof that wrong was com- two at-large seats that would be added if the general their disapproval with the mitted.” legislation passed this year to single-member board’s handling of the district’s Taylor closed by telling the seats after the 2020 Census, when reapportion- current financial crisis and some board to “wake up.” She said if ment is completed. State Rep.’s Murrell Smith, spoke in particular against the idea PHOTOS BY RICK CARPENTER / THE SUMTER ITEM R-Sumter, and David Weeks, D-Sumter, pro- of school closings. LEFT: Cynthia Taylor expresses some of her frustration with the Sumter posed the amendment in the House. Monday’s regular monthly School Board members during Monday night’s budget hearing at Oakland The bill will now go to Gov. Henry McMas- board meeting consisted of the Primary School. RIGHT: Dr. Brenda Williams addresses the board on Monday. ter’s desk. If the governor signs it, it will be- usual public participation period come law. on the agenda and also the first ther upset by the board’s lack of the trustees don’t, the district will Even if McMaster vetoes it, it’s expected the required public hearing on the actions since then. have students depart from the bill will become law soon since it’s local legisla- district’s draft of the 2018 fiscal She referenced her belief that schools “just as misinformed, un- tion. According to previous comments from year budget. board members have more alle- educated and in denial as some of state Sen. Thomas McElveen, D-Sumter, most Sumter resident Cynthia Taylor giance to Superintendent Frank our current school board mem- lawmakers generally don’t interfere with local said she was first disheartened Baker than the children and par- bers.” legislation as a matter of legislative courtesy, with the various findings of fi- ents of children in the school dis- Dr. Brenda Williams and Calvin unless it has a statewide impact. So, an over- nancial mismanagement made by trict. Bennett expressed their personal ride of the veto is likely to be a formality, financial consultant Scott Allan “This is not a social club, but that caused the deficit and fur- involves a lot of young lives and SEE BOARD, PAGE A5 SEE BILL, PAGE A5 VISIT US ONLINE AT CONTACT US DEATHS, B4 WEATHER, A10 INSIDE Information: 774-1200 Elizabeth Davis Thompson A LITTLE HOTTER 2 SECTIONS, 16 PAGES the .com Advertising: 774-1246 Sally P. Bess VOL. 122, NO. 149 Partly sunny today and Classifieds: 774-1200 Carolyn Burns very warm, with no chance Classifieds B6 Delivery: 774-1258 Sarah L. Dwyer of rain; tonight, partly Comics B5 News and Sports: 774-1226 Stacey ‘Blade’ David cloudy and mild. Robert Lee Conyers Opinion A9 Emma Thompson HIGH 93, LOW 66 Television A8 A2 | THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017 THE SUMTER ITEM Call: (803) 774-1226 | E-mail: [email protected] Programs offer free school and paid part-time work BY BRUCE MILLS WANT MORE INFO? programs for this fall. drug screening and background [email protected] “Many people would love to go to check, which are also covered free of WorkFirst program contacts: school but need a little money to make charge, Russell said. Central Carolina Technical College ends meet and for gas and other SC Works, 31 E. Calhoun St. in Sum- has started another initiative it thinks things,” Russell said. “So, they will be Mary Franklin-Brown ter, with satellite library locations in will be a “win-win” for the community getting a paycheck for working but Manning and Bishopville, will provide and local business and industry. SC Works Manager also be required to come to college.” funding to cover students’ wages at The WorkFirst career initiative will Phone: (803) 774-1310 As mentioned, the schooling will be the local industries. allow students to attend class to work E-mail: [email protected] free as the college will provide for According to Russell, the college has toward a program certificate begin- each student’s tuition and books. a limited number of slots available for ning in the fall semester while also Russell said he expects the part-time both the HVAC/R and Machine Tool Brent Russell being paid to work within the career job opportunities to be between 20 and Technology programs. He said the field. Two programs of study — Heat- CCTC Dean, Industrial & Engineering 25 hours a week. Seven local indus- Machine Tool certificate is a one-year ing, Ventilation and Air Conditioning/ Technology Division tries have signed up to participate in program, while the HVAC/R certifi- Refrigeration Technology and Ma- Phone: (803) 778-6689 the Machine Tool/CNC career initia- cate is a two-year program. chine Tool and Computer Numerical E-mail: [email protected] tive, Russell said, including Caterpil- Russell said there are no guarantees Control Technology — are the first at lar and Kaydon. Five local HVAC com- for a full-time job once completing the the college to offer an opportunity of panies are signed on for the HVAC/R programs of study, but students will this caliber, according to Brent Rus- “In other words, we can’t meet the initiative, according to Russell. The in- certainly have a leg up on others with sell, dean of CCTC’s Industrial and demand that’s out there,” Russell said. dustries will be able to interview and the hands-on experience and educa- Engineering Technology Division. So, the college thought to further select students they want for the job tion. Russell said local demand and job sweeten the incentive to go to school opportunities. “It’s a great opportunity to learn on opportunities outweigh the number of for free, offering paid part-time em- As far as prerequisites, in addition the job and go to school for free,” Rus- students the college has in the two ployment opportunities simultaneous- to possessing a high school diploma or sell said.