1/20/11 - Call Representatives TODAY
to ask for their support of responsible restaurant recycling

The ABC Recycling Bill is an incentive for restaurant and bar owners to participate in a common sense recycling program that reduces the need for landfills, creates jobs and boosts SC’s economy.

What does the bill do?
The Alcoholic Beverage Container (ABC) Recycling Bill, S.461 (in the House Agriculture Committee) creates a statewide program to provide a sustainable stream of recyclable material for industry growth and job creation. The bill:
• Calls for businesses that have permits to serve alcohol on-site to recycle their plastic, cardboard, aluminum and glass.
• Provides incentives for participating business; offers a 10% discount on liquor permit fees for plans including glass. (Liquor permits cannot be revoked for failure to comply.)
• Exempts businesses from participating in program for whom recycling is not financially feasible or accessible.

Recycling expenses are comparable to the price of sending waste to a landfill. And when businesses recycle, land-filling expenses decrease, the burden on the taxpayer to pay for new landfills is lightened, and everyone wins. Recycling is good for South Carolina business; A 2010 Clemson University study projects recycling industry growth at 12% annually producing 37,000 direct and indirect jobs in five years.

Leave a quick email or voicemail message TODAY for these legislators:

Rep. Bill Crosby [R] - North Charleston
Home: (843) 553-2821
State House office:  (803) 212-6879
Email Rep. Crosby here.

Rep. Chandra E. Dillard [D] - Greenville
Home: (864) 233-6549   
State House office: (803) 212-6791
Email Rep. Dillard here.

Rep. Nelson Hardwick [R] Committee Chair - Surfside Beach
Home: (843) 238-8380
State House office: (803) 734-3022
Email Rep. Hardwick here.

Rep. Chris Murphy [R] - Summerville
Summerville office: (843) 832-1120
State House office: (803) 212-6925
Email Rep. Murphy here.

You can also call your own Representative and ask him/her to encourage Agriculture Committee members to support the bill. Find out who your legislator is here: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/legislatorssearch.php)

A Conservationist Tries to Weigh in on Presidential Posturing
by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , SCWF Director of Climate and Energy

On Saturday, January 14, 2012, Fox News held a forum for the Republican candidates at the Sottile Theatre in downtown Charleston, South Carolina.  The forum was billed as a chance for South Carolina’s undecided voters to get a good look at the candidates.  Five of the six candidates attended, with Ron Paul being the only one to stay away.

I decided to go to the forum to see if I could get the candidates and/or the press to engage in a conversation about the environmental agendas of the candidates.  One thing I had noticed about the primary campaign was that none of the candidates were giving any real insight into what their priorities might be for the environment of our country, and the press was not asking them to.

I got to the forum around 10:50, it was supposed to start at 12:00.  There was a line, but I decided to walk around and see if I could talk to any press.  I saw a reporter from NBC in New York who I recognized from TV (later found out his name was Peter Alexander).  I walked up and asked if I could ask him a question and he quickly said, "we're going live!"  Hope I did not mess up their shot!  Oops.  In my defense I had walked by them twice before and they were just looking at their cell phones.  I walked back later to try to talk to them, but they were not around.  

I then found a TV reporter from our local CBS station.  I talked to her for a while and told her I was concerned that none of the candidates were talking about the environment or conservation, and that the press was not asking about it.  She agreed and said she would ask about it if she got the chance to talk to any of them.  She also told me that the forum was a Fox News event and they were not allowing any other press to attend.

I next talked to a CNN guy that I met on the street, and we had an extended conversation about the lack of environmental questions or comments.  He said that it was just not something that any of the candidates were focused on.  I pointed out that they should at least be asked about it.  I explained to him that a clean environment is vital to our local economy for both the tourism and seafood industries.  

I next saw David Brooks from the NY Times, and a local author and sometime op-ed writer, Jack Bass. I went up and talked to Mr. Bass, told him I was from SCWF and what my concern was.  He said I was right and that I should talk to David Brooks.  I have to admit that I was a little intimated at the thought of doing this, but I went over and introduced myself.  Mr. Bass accompanied me and listened.  I should not have worried, as Mr. Brooks was very nice and listened patiently while I told him my concerns.  He then said that the environment is just viewed by the Republicans as a Democrat issue.  I said that may be, but it is not a Democrat issue, and that the candidates at least need to be asked what their environmental agenda and priorities would be if they were elected president.  He agreed and said he might do that if he got to talk to them.

By this time it was obvious that the line was not moving and that no one else was getting in, not even David Brooks!

I did not know what exactly to expect when I went downtown.  I was a little concerned that since politics seems to be so polarized these days the atmosphere might feel hostile.  I found the experience to be just the opposite.  In fact, there was almost a carnival feel, probably because of a few protesters doing a form of street theatre.  But this was also true of the people in line.  Although there were people with candidate signs and bumper stickers to hand out, I did not see anyone arguing.  Rather, most people were smiling and seemed to be enjoying themselves.  I found this refreshing. 

I started the day doing something because I felt it was my duty, but I ended the day feeling that it had all been fun.  I did not get to ask any of the candidates my questions, it is true, but I did get access to several members of the press, and I got to actually have a conversation with David Brooks.  All in all I felt I had had a successful day.

On the other hand, it was disappointing to realize that conservation would not be on the radar screen in the Holy City.  Has anyone noticed where this most beautiful and most historic city will be in 50 years if sea level continues to rise?  (Underwater is the correct answer.)  Did any of the candidates, reporters or audience members think about how the Lowcountry’s pristine beaches, healthy marshes and stunning scenery are the main reason people flock here to live, work and play? 

As a resident of this area for over 60 years, I am one Charlestonian that thinks the future of our land, water and air should be a major part of the political discussion.

See pictures below:

This guy was walking around saying he was a candidate from Wall Street and that politics is money.  He had play money hanging out of his pockets and in his hand. He offered to buy my vote.  I commented on his cigar and he said I could have one if he had my vote.  I agreed, he gave me a large cigar, and then started yelling that he had bought my vote.  He had people with him that had signs that said, "Greed is good.  Romney Gecko 2012."

The lady in the next picture, and a friend, were protesting Romney strapping his dog to the top of the car in a small dog crate and driving several hundred miles on vacation.  Apparently this happened a number of years ago.