UPTOWNMunicipal Association of South Carolina

Advocacy. Service. Innovation.

Inside This IssueTrees provide much more than just shade to communitiespage 5

Building relationships throughHometown Connectionspage 7

2007 SCMIT Safety Awards andSafety Idea Contestpage 8

December 2007

Hometown, SC Legislative ActionDay 2008 will celebrate the

relationship between cities and theirlocal business community in building the state’s competitiveness. Under the banner of “Cities Mean Business,” localofficials will gather on February 20 at the Columbia Marriott.

Dr. Jim Rex, South Carolina superin-tendent of education, will address thegroup as the luncheon keynote speaker.Recognizing that all local governmentfunding issues are closely related, Rexwill share school funding recommenda-tions from his Task Force on Resources for a Competitive South Carolina. Strongschools, like strong cities, are critical tothe state’s competitiveness.

After lunch, the first afternoon panelwill examine the relationship betweencity leaders and their local higher-educa-tion institutions to help develop the type of community the workers of theknowledge economy are seeking.College and university leaders will discuss how their type of institution(research university, technical college,private college, small public college orother) collaborate to support a healthyand vibrant hometown.

The final afternoon session willreview the ongoing plans for the “CitiesMean Business” campaign — part of the long-range Hometown, SC initiative.Participants will learn more about whatthey can do in their own cities or towns

to make themost of thisHometown, SCoutreach initiative.

TheMunicipalAssociation willmail registrationinformation andhave informa-tion availableonline in earlyJanuary. Make hotel reservations byJanuary 24 at the Columbia Marriott bycalling 803.771.7000 or 1.800.627.7468 toreceive the group rate of $132.

Local officials gather in Columbia to show“Cities Mean Business”

Hot issues anticipated for 2008 General Assembly

by Warren Harley, Governmental Affairs Liaison

As the second session of the 117th General Assembly approaches,the Municipal Association will continue promoting its “SupportingCompetitiveness” agenda launched during the 2007 session. The agendafocused on legislation promoting economic growth, enhancing a – positive quality of life, and encour-aging accountability and fiscal

responsibility. Visit www.masc.sc for a full listing of the 2008 agenda.

Legislators held hearings on severalissues on the Municipal Association’sradar during the fall recess. State andlocal spending caps, annexation, andimmigration reform were topics of discussion that will continue into thesession.

HOT ISSUES continued on page 3

Jim Rex

2 Uptown December 2007

It’s not too soon to get geared up for the statewide observance of

“Cites Mean Business” Month sched-uled for February 2008. As part of theHometown, SC initiative to raise home-town voices to a new level of influence,the celebration of “Cities Mean Business”Month is intended to encourage newand stronger collaboration between localelected leaders and their local businesscommunity.

The February “Cities Mean Business”Month is the kick-off of a multi-yearcampaign celebrating the important rela-tionship between strong cities and townsand the state’s economic competitive-ness. The campaign will focus on themany ways strong cities and towns sup-port the growth of existing businessesand attract new businesses. The cam-paign will be in full swing at theHometown, SC Legislative Action DayFebruary 20.

The “Cities Mean Business” messagewill hit the airwaves and newsstandsacross the state in February. TheMunicipal Association will advertise in statewide business publications and on public radio. Local officials andAssociation staff will give interviews ontelevision and radio talk shows. “As withother Hometown, SC initiatives, we willplace great emphasis on partnerships,”said Reba Campbell, the MunicipalAssociation’s director of advocacy andcommunications. “We will partner withstatewide business organization to focustheir members on increasing collabora-tion and communication around thecompetitiveness issue.”

The Municipal Association staff willdistribute a comprehensive toolkit ofevents, media ideas, proclamations andother resources to all cities and towns inearly December. Items in the MunicipalAssociation – provided toolkit include:

• “Cities Mean Business” ads that can belocalized.

• Value of cities ads that can be localized.

• Talking points for a joint opinion col-umn in your local paper written by themayor or a councilmember with thelocal chamber president or other localbusiness leader.

• Sample speech for civic club presenta-tions.

• DVD of the latest HometownNetwork News for use on PEG/localaccess channels or in civic club presen-tations.

• Suggested classroom activities forschool visits.

• Generic “Cities Mean Business”brochure provided in various file formats so cities can add their logo or name.

Join the “Cities Mean Business” celebration

Visit www.masc.sc to learn how to get a co-branded "Cities Mean Business" ad to use in local publications or city newsletters.

• Sample resolution declaring “Cities Mean Business” Month – invite local business leaders to the meeting where the resolution is passed.

• By the numbers lists illustrating the value taxpayers get from city or town services.

• Ideas for hosting (or co-hosting with the local chamber) an open house at cityhall or another municipal venue.

• “Cities Mean Business” stickers and note cards that can be used as leave-behindson visits to local businesses.

Attendees at the public information officers’ workshop November 29 received a briefing on the toolkit. Municipal Association staff provided a similar briefingthrough a conference call December 19.

“We challenge each municipality to participate in at least one “Cities MeanBusiness” related activity,” explained Campbell. “If the toolkit doesn’t spark ideas for a local tie-in, I encourage city officials to give us a call so we can brainstormwith them. This campaign is intended to work with all cities and towns regard-less of their size or types of local businesses.

“Our goal with all of these activities is to create a buzz around the idea ofstrong cities so that when Hometown, SC Legislative Action Day rolls around onFebruary 20, legislators and key influencers will already have heard the messagethat “Cities Mean Business.”

For a copy of the toolkit, visit MASC’s Web site at www.masc.sc or contactMichelle Willm at 803.933.1259 or mwillm@masc.sc.

December 2007 Uptown 3

Hot issues continued from cover

Several organizations attending theSenate study committee hearing on aconstitutional amendment to limit statespending supported adding local govern-ment to this proposal by Senator GlennMcConnell. Mayors and city managersfrom a number of cities and towns spokein favor of comprehensive tax reform,rather than a local spending cap, as thebest way to manage spending. Membersof the study committee include Sens.Greg Gregory (chair), Robert Ford, JimRitchie, Joel Lourie, Vincent Sheheen andKevin Bryant.

Discussion at a House Special LawsSubcommittee hearing on annexationcentered on comprehensive annexationlegislation. The usual groups were repre-sented, including the Coastal Conse-rvation League and the SC Association of Counties. The Coastal ConservationLeague hopes to include in any annexa-tion legislation a mechanism that allowsthe county where the annexation occurs

to have legal standing to challenge theannexation. The SC Association ofCounties raised concerns of density anddemands on infrastructure. TheMunicipal Association will submit sug-gestions for a comprehensive annexationbill to the study committee. Committeemembers include Reps. Ben Hagood(chair), Garry Smith, Karl Smith and WaltMcLeod.

Immigration will be another hot issuewhen the General Assembly reconvenesin January. A Senate study committeeheld hearings across the state to discussthe issue. Hometown leaders noted atthe hearings that the responsibility ofmanaging immigration is too great forlocal government to handle alone. The resources are not available for localgovernment to successfully manageimmigration. Study committee membersinclude Sens. Jim Ritchie (chair), VincentSheheen, Chip Campsen, Randy Scott,Kent Williams and Lewis Vaughn.

Municipal Association staff will con-tinue to monitor the situation regardingstate-wide and local smoking bans.Ordinances passed by the City ofGreenville and Town of Sullivan’s Islandhave beenchallenged in court. A decisionon the Greenville case is expected in ear-ly 2008. The Association will continue todefend municipalities challenged forenacting smoking ban ordinances. Ourgoal is to see statewide legislation that isstrong, but does not preempt local gov-ernment’s ability to address the issuelocally.

The legislative section of theMunicipal Association’s Web site con-tains detailed information about theseand all other issues monitored during thesession. Stay on top of the latest legisla-tive activity through the Association’slegislative tracking system and its weeklylegislative report, which will start againon January 11.

Celebrate “Cities Mean Business”

month in your hometown by:❚❘ hosting a “business after hours” with

your local chamber at city hall or

municipal recreation facility

❚❘ co-authoring an editorial column with

a business leader in your local paper or

business journal about the important

relationship between a strong city and

a strong business environment

❚❘ speaking to a local civic group about the

important relationship between a strong

city and a strong business environment

❚❘ visiting local businesses and leaving a

note and sticker (available from MASC)

saying thanks for being part of your city

❚❘ passing a proclamation and inviting local

business leaders to be on hand, or

❚❘ appearing on a local radio or television

talk show with a community business

leader to discuss the importance of

strong cities to the state’s competitive-

ness.

4 Uptown December 2007

The December observance of ArborDay is a good time to consider

adding trees to your municipal land-scape. Picking which types of trees toplant in public spaces can be a challeng-ing endeavor. Take into considerationcharacteristics of both the site and tree.A poor selection could lead to a mainte-nance nightmare, trees that die young orliability.

When evaluating the site, considerpotential above-ground and below-ground conflicts. Are there awnings,storefronts or signage the trees mightobstruct? Are there other trees in thevicinity or overhead power lines that willrestrict the trees’ growth? Consider thesidewalks and buried utilities. Some treescan have an extensive root system.

Determine how much light andreflective heat the trees will be exposedto. In recent years, the City of Columbiahad to replace its honey locus trees onAssembly Street because they werereceiving too much reflective heat froman adjacent glass building.

When choosing the type of trees toplant, consider how much space thetrees will need when they are fullymature. “Mature height, crown spread,trunk flare, and root space are all impor-tant factors to consider before planting,”according to the SC Forestry Comm-ission’s Web site.

Do the trees produce berries or nuts?

If so, they might attract wildlife. “The

holly tree is known to attract a lot ofbirds,” said Liz Gilland, communityforestry program coordinator with theSC Forestry Commission. Also thinkabout on-going maintenance. Will thetrees need extensive pruning for goodbranch growth? Do they shed berries,nuts or large leaves that require clean-ing up?

The SC Forestry Commission has acomprehensive guide on its Web site(www.state.sc.us/forest/urbsg04.htm)detailing site and tree selection criteria.The guide lists recommended trees withinformation about the mature height,growth rate, sun/shade requirements and other helpful information about each tree.

“We strongly encourage local govern-ments to get public input during theprocess,” Gilland said. “Narrow down toa handful of trees that would do wellmeeting the site characteristics, then getpublic input.”

The City of Conway recently used apublic input process when faced withhaving to replace honey locus trees inthe downtown. “Trees are a criticalaspect to the worlds of pedestrians,vehicular traffic, merchants and residentsin our downtown. We needed several,varied viewpoints to be able to know allof the factors that would impact ourdecision,” said Barbara Blain-Olds, assis-tant administrator for Conway. “Wewere able to walk away from the table

knowing that everyone’s viewpoint hadbeen acknowledged and we had a broad(although not total) acceptance of thefinal decisions. Consensus building isimportant.”

Urban foresters are available to help municipalities with their tree selection process. Visitwww.state.sc.us/forest/scurban.htm for contact information.

Getting to the root of selecting the perfect trees for your city

For more information, visit www.palmettopride.org.

PalmettoPride

2008Municipal Tree Grant Winners

City of Aiken

City of Chester

City ofCamden

City ofFountain Inn

City of Easley

City ofJohnsonville

City of LakeCity

City of Seneca

City of Mullins

City ofManning

Town ofAllendale

Town ofChesterfield

Town ofJackson

Town ofWilliamston

Town ofPageland

Root confinement and structureWill the tree do well in a compact area?

Will the roots invade the street or con-crete causing buckling?

Life expectancy of a treeDoes the tree have a short life? If so, it is not a good fit for downtown.

Canopy DensityHow thick is the tree?

Is its canopy broad?

Will it block vision and sight lines of traffic?

Will it block the view of buildings?

IrrigationWill the landscaping require irrigation?

MaintenanceWill the plantings require much main-tenance?

Guidelines for choosing public treesProvided by Jay Hiers, landscape architect, City of Orangeburg

December 2007 Uptown 5

Over the years, several large high-way improvement projects in the

Town of Irmo had required the removalof trees. That resulted in some barrenlandscapes and views for residents andmotorists.

“When you rode through town, allyou saw was gravel, red clay and rockalong the railroad tracks,” said WhittCline, director of public services for theTown of Irmo. “The idea was to take theworst-looking areas of town and makethem the best-looking.”

Irmo took on a project to plant morethan 1,000 trees across town, includingcrapemyrtle along the railroad tracks.Irmo’s $1.8 million Ozone Clean AirProgram, designed to meet the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency’sozone clean air standards, has been paidfor with a combination of federal, stateand local funds and private donations.

“It makes a huge difference in theatmosphere of town,” Cline said. “Itmakes people feel good about wherethey live.”

So far, the town has planted close to1,500 trees of different varieties, Clinesaid, and has plans to plant even more.

Beside the beautification aspect,planting trees helps improve the environ-ment. Trees help to trap particulatepollutants – such as dust, ash, pollen andsmoke – that are harmful to people.They absorb carbon dioxide and otherdangerous gases and replenish the atmosphere with oxygen, according tothe South Carolina Forestry Commission.

Trees reduce surface runoff of waterfrom storms, and help to cut back on soilerosion and sedimentation of streams.Trees also help save energy by helping tokeep homes cool in the hotter monthsand by providing a windbreak in thewinter.

That’s not alltrees do. They alsoincrease propertyvalues and have apositive impact oneconomic develop-ment. Studies haveshown that com-munities withtrees attract busi-nesses and tourists,and apartmentsand offices inwooded areas rentmore quickly, havehigher occupancyrates and tenants stay longer. In addition,healthy trees can add up to 15 percent toresidential property value, according tothe forestry commission.

Cline said that has been the case inIrmo. Since the town has landscaped andadded trees to its centrally-located park,an office complex and town homes havebeen built nearby, he said. “People feelit’s a nice part of town.”

The Arbor Day Foundation helpscities nationwide establish their owncommunity forestry programs throughits Tree City USA initiative. Being a TreeCity USA is significant because it helpscities to show they care about quality oflife for residents and attracts people tolive and work, according to the group’sWeb site.

More than 30 cities across SouthCarolina proudly bear the distinction of being a Tree City USA. “From thedays of our town’s inception, trees haveplayed a vital role in the success of ourcommunity,” said Patrick Goodwin,administrator for the Town of Turbeville,in announcing his town’s award of thetitle for the fourth year.

“Our goal to beautify our town beganwith the planning for, planting of andcare of our natural resource – our trees,”Goodwin said in a press release. “Today,Turbeville continues its commitment toour greatest natural resource – trees.Trees in our town help clean air, con-serve soil and water, moderate temper-atures and bring nature in our daily lives.Trees are a vital component of the infras-tructure in our town providingenvironmental and economic benefits.”

Views of nature change the way we feel and function in the everydayworld, reports Ellen Vincent, Environm-ental Landscape Specialist at ClemsonUniversity. Studies that measure psycho-logical and physiological well-beingindicate that stress levels drop in as fewas four minutes if a view of nature isavailable. This can have a positive effecton drivers, shoppers, and workers.

Reprinted from SC Magazine. For sub-scription information, www.scmagazine.net.

Trees provide much more than just shade to communities

By Amy Geier

Town of Irmo

6 Uptown December 2007

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday – Your city or other organizations

may already have events planned on Monday, January 21, to hon-

or Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. If not, consider hosting an event

celebrating the life of Dr. King with county government, business-

es, churches or non-profit organizations in your city or town.

Co-author an editorial with a community leader showing how your

city or town will commemorate Dr. King’s legacy.

YMCA Shrinkdown – The Shrinkdown is an annual event where

local YMCA chapters, cities, colleges and universities, and local

businesses sponsor healthy living challenges to residents. Get your

city or town officials and employees involved, and let your local

media know about it! There are already cities and towns across

South Carolina partnering with their local YMCAs in this great ini-

tiative. Learn more at http://www.scshrinkdown.com.

Hometown Happenings January

Each month, municipal officials have theopportunity to download materials that will

help them share the value of cities and townswith the community and more specifically theirkey influencers. Through each suggested activityand corresponding materials, municipal leader-ship will form partnerships with the localbusiness community, the media, local non-profitorganizations and policy makers.

MASC posted January Hometown Happeningsinformation on its Web site in early November.Let MASC know if you participate in a HometownHappening. Call Casey Fields at 803.933.1256.

■ The South Carolina Municipal

Insurance Trust workers’ compensation

program and the South Carolina

Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing

Fund property/liability insurance program

announced there will be no rate increase

for either program in 2008. With a com-

bined fund balance for the two programs

of more than $30 million, the programs

continue to be a stabilizing influence for

municipal budgets.

■ The Municipal Association received

an Award of Excellence from the SC

Chapter of the International Association

of Business Communicators. The

Municipal Association was recognized for

its Achievement Award entry brochure,

winner booklet and video.

■ The City of Spartanburg has been

named one of 31 founding cities of the

Playful City USA initiative. Sponsored by

the KaBOOM! National Campaign for

Play, the initiative honors cities across

the nation for their vision, plan and com-

mitment to creating recreational

opportunities for children and adults.

Spartanburg was recognized for its long-

range goals for parks and recreation,

including creating a parks master plan.

■ In August, members of the Municipal

Court Administration Association of SC

elected their 2007-08 board of directors:

President – Sally Phipps of Mount Plea-

sant; Vice President – Diane Anderson of

Rock Hill; Secretary/Treasurer – Vicky

Huggins of Loris; Members-At-Large –

Amy Wilkerson of Isle of Palms and

Kenneth Gunnells of Kiawah Island.

■ The City of Florence won the 2007

Golden Acorn Award from the South

Carolina Urban and Community Forestry

Council in November. The city also

received the 2007 President’s Circle

Recognition Award from Keep America

Beautiful in December.

■ In November, members of the SC

Business Licensing Officials Association

elected their 2007-08 board of directors:

President – Benny Genwright, MBL,

of Dillon; Vice President – Deborah

Paulson, MBL, of Hanahan; Secretary/

Treasurer – Tami Fralick, ABL, of

Charleston County; Members-At-Large –

Blake Foster, ABL, of Belton; Ken

Mullinax, MBL, of Anderson and Sonya

Lee, MBL, of Lexington.

■ In October, members of the SC

Municipal Finance Officers, Clerks and

Treasurers Association elected their

2007-08 board of directors: President –

Fran Strickland of Abbeville; Vice

President – Kelly Lovette of Goose Creek;

Secretary/Treasurer – David Seifert of

Greer; Members-At-Large – Vanessa

Turner-Maybank, CMC, of Charleston;

Dora Perry of Tega Cay; Becky

Hildebrand of Lexington and Patricia

Brown of Marion.

News Briefs

December 2007 Uptown 7

The second half of the state legisla-tive session kicks off on January 8.

Each day, the Municipal Association’sadvocacy team will cross Gervais Streetto lobby on behalf of South Carolina’s269 municipalities with populationsranging from 59 to more than 100,000residents. Ed Schafer, legislative counsel,and Warren Harley, governmental affairsliaison, spearhead the Association’s pro-active, hometown-centered agenda.

To be successful, local officials needto add their voices to those of Schaferand Harley. The issues are heard clearestwhen voiced by those directly affected.Schafer is quick to point out that “legisla-tors pay the most attention to theirconstituents back home. Continued linesof open communication do more toinfluence a vote than approaching thelegislator when you need him to take aspecific action.”

The Municipal Association recom-mends year-round, regular meetingsbetween local officials and their legisla-tors. These relationships provide anopportunity to understand a wider ormore detailed point of view and willbenefit both when controversial issues

arise. Most importantly, the hometownresidents benefit when neither party hesitates to talk to one another, shareinformation and get a better understand-ing of the issues that impact their city or town.

One way to build these relation-ships is through the Municipal Asso-ciation‘s Hometown Connection eventsheld during sessions of the GeneralAssembly.

Hometown Connection days are set aside for cities and towns grouped by counties to visit the State Housetogether. (See box below for the 2008schedule.)

On these days, local officials meet atthe Municipal Association’s office for abriefing on that week’s scheduled legisla-tion impacting cities and towns. Staffaccompanies the group to the StateHouse and helps the local officials findtheir legislators’ offices and committeemeeting rooms. Local officials use thetime at the State House to meet withtheir legislators, attend committee meet-ings and listen to the floor debates.

After the State House visit, MunicipalAssociation staff encourage local officials

to schedule lunch with their legislatorsprior to coming to Columbia. Thisensures individual face time to com-municate concerns and talk more in-depth about specific issues and localconcerns.

During the visit, Municipal Asso-ciation staff take photographs of thelocal elected officials with their individu-al legislators to submit to hometownpapers along with a press release. Thisgives local officials an opportunity toshow their residents they are workingwith state officials to make a positivedifference in their hometowns.

Over the years, the HometownConnection program has proven to be ahighly successful and invaluable tool forbringing local and state leaders together.“The bottom line,” said Casey Fields,manager of municipal advocacy, “is constituents matter the most. Consti-tuents back home are the ones whomake the difference.”

For more information on HometownConnection, visit www.masc.sc/legislative/hometownconnection.htm, orcontact Casey Fields at 803.933.1256 orcfields@masc.sc.

Building relationships through Hometown Connections

By Claire Spilde, MASC Intern

2008 Hometown Connection scheduleMunicipal officials meet at the Municipal Association’s office at 10:30 a.m. on their county’s designated date.

January 29 Cities in Aiken, Anderson, Calhoun, Cherokee, Chester, Fairfield, Greenville, Lancaster,

Lexington, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Spartanburg and York counties

February 20 All municipalities for MASC’s Legislative Action Day

March 25 Cities in Abbeville, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Edgefield, Greenwood,

Kershaw, Laurens, Lee, Marlboro, McCormick, Newberry, Saluda, Sumter and Union counties

April 29 Cities in Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton,

Dorchester, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Marion and Williamsburg

counties

Hometown, SC

The Municipal Association of SCand the SC Municipal Insurance

Trust (MASC’s self-funded workers’compensation program) will recognizethe 2007 Safety Award and Safety Idea Contest winners during theHometown, SC Legislative Action Day on February 20.

Safety AwardThe SCMIT Safety Award recog-

nizes local government entities for theirsafety efforts based on OSHA and loss-ratio data. The award is open to allSCMIT members with at least 10 full-time employees in two or more of the following operations: administra-tion, public safety, public utilities orpublic works.

Only members with law enforce-ment operations can participate inDivisions I-III. First, second and thirdplace winners receive monetary reim-bursement for safety equipment.

To be eligible for the competition,SCMIT must receive entry forms andOSHA 300 data by February 1. Staff willmail entry forms to SCMIT members in December.

Safety Idea ContestThe Safety Idea Contest recognizes

SCMIT members who have helpedmake their workplace safer with aninnovative idea. Selected by the SCMITboard of trustees, the winner receives a$500 check. SCMIT must receive entryforms by February 1. For more informa-tion or an entry form, visit the RMSWeb site at www.masc.sc/misc/rms.htmor contact Phil Cromer at 803.933.1210or pcromer@masc.sc.

8 Uptown December 2007

2007 SCMIT Safety Awards and Safety Idea Contest

The competition has four categories

Division I 10 to 50 employees;

Division II 51 to 150 employees;

Division III 51 employees and above,

Division IV Non-municipal(ex. commissions of public works)

Classifieds

■ The City of Columbia is accepting

applications for a police chief. Detailed

job description and application require-

ments are available at www.columbiasc.net

or at City Hall, 1737 Main St, Columbia,

SC, Mon - Fri, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Appli-

cation deadline is January 9, however,

the city reserves the right to close at any

time. EOE

■ The Town of Mount Pleasant is accept-

ing applications for a senior purchasing

agent. For more information, visit

www.townofmountpleasant.com. Mail

application to Town of Mount Pleasant,

PO Box 745, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465,

Attn: Personnel.

■ The City of Greenville is accepting

resumes for a compensation manager.

E-mail cover letter and resume to

resumes@greatergreenville.com, or

complete an online application at

www.greatergreenville.com. EOE/AA

■ The City of Tega Cay is accepting

applications/resumes for the position of

part-time clerk of court. Send resume to

HR Department, PO Box 3399, Tega Cay,

SC 29708. Position is open until filled.

For more information, call 803.548.3512,

ext, 122.

■ The City of Tega Cay is accepting

applications for a planner. Send resume to

HR Department, PO Box 3399, Tega Cay,

SC 29708. Position is open until filled.

For more information, call 803.548.3513,

ext 130.

MunicipalFinancial

Report dueJanuary 15

In October, the Budget and

Control Board’s Office of

Research and Statistics sent

each municipality its 2007

Annual Municipal Financial

Report. The report requires the

municipality to provide informa-

tion about its revenue sources,

expenditures by category, debt

and other information. The state

may withhold 10 percent of a

municipality’s state aid if the

report is not filed by the January

15 deadline.

December 2007 Uptown 9

The Qs and As of planning and zoning

Which cities need to have a comprehensive plan?Every community that has zoning must have a comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan is made up of nine elements:population, economic development, natural resources, cultural resources, community facilities, housing, land use, trans-portation and priority investment.

What did the Priority Investment Act do?The Priority Investment Act passed during the 2007 legislative session amended the comprehensive plan’s housing elementand added two new elements: transportation and priority investment.

What specific changes did the Priority Investment Act make to the housing element?The PIA requires an analysis of local regulations to determine if there are any that may hinder affordable housing development.

It also includes an analysis of market-based incentives that may be made available to encourage the development ofafforable housing. Incentives may include density bonuses, design flexibility and a streamlined permitting process.

What does the transportation element cover?Transportation facilities including major road improvements, new road construction and pedestrian and bicycle projects arecovered under this element. Transportation elements must be developed in coordination with the land use element toensure transportation efficiency for existing and planned development.

What does the priority investment element do?The priority investment element analyzes projected federal, state and local funds available for public infrastructure andfacilities during the next 10 years and recommends projects for those funds. These recommendations must be coordinatedwith adjacent and relevant jurisdictions and agencies (counties, other municipalities, school districts, public and private utilities, and transportation agencies).

Planning and zoning topics will be covered during Session A of the Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government on February 19.For more information, visit www.masc.sc/education/meo.htm.

The South Carolina Department ofInsurance is offering grants to prop-

erty owners to retrofit their houses toprotect against wind damage incurred inwind storms or hurricanes.

The SC Safe Home Grant Program,created by the Omnibus CoastalProperty Insurance Reform Act of 2007,is designed to improve coastal home sta-bility and reduce insurance claims.

Qualifying mitigation improvementsinclude creating a second water barrier,improving roof covering and upgradingexterior doors.

Visit www.scsafehome.com for a listingof other approved mitigation improve-ments.

The department offers matching and non-matching grants and neither can exceed $5,000. If a home is valued atless than $150,000, the homeowner canapply for a non-matching grant.

Before applying, a homeowner musthave the property inspected by an inspe-ctor who has completed and passed theDepartment of Insurance wind resistancetraining program.

Since the program began in June, 14homeowners in Berkeley, Charleston,Horry and Dorchester counties receivedgrants of $5,000 each.

For more information contact Ann Roberson, public information officer, at 803.737.6207, or visit theSouth Carolina Safe Home Web site at www.scsafehome.com.

SC Safe Home Grants available

10 Uptown December 2007

Financing water and sewer projects doesn’t have to be draining

Residents and businesses are drawnto the positive quality of life strong

cities and towns offer. An important ser-vice that is often taken for granted issufficient water and efficient wastewaterservice. As development takes place, theutility infrastructure is sometimes over-burdened far above and beyond itsdesigned capacity.

Some towns are being forced to turnaway developments because they simplycannot support the projected servicedemands. Improvements can be priceyand small towns with limited budgetsare hard pressed to find room in tightbudgets to upgrade infrastructure that,while strained, is still working.

This is exactly the kind of situationthe State Revolving Loan Funds (SRF)was created to address. According to theBudget and Control Board’s Office ofLocal Government Web site, the SRFs“offer the most economical form of debtfinancing available in South Carolina forwater and sewer projects.” Over its life-time, the SRF has authorized loanstotaling more than $687 million for localwater and sewer infrastructure needs. Inthe past year, more than $33 million hasgone to the municipalities of Anderson,Lancaster, Moncks Corner, Seneca, Greerand Travelers Rest.

The Office of Local Governmentadministers three distinct grant pro-grams: Water Pollution ControlRevolving Fund, Drinking WaterRevolving Loan Fund and theInfrastructure Revolving Loan Fund.

The State Drinking Water RevolvingFund offers long-term, low-interest loansto construct public drinking water facili-ties to comply with the Safe DrinkingWater Act. The fund, jointly adminis-tered by the Department of Health and

Environmental Control and the StateBudget and Control Board, is available topublic water providers, including thosewith access to the bond market. Fiscalyear 2008 interest rates range from 1 - 3percent.

The State Water Pollution ControlRevolving Fund offers long-term, low-interest loans to construct publicwastewater facilities to comply with theClean Water Act. The fund is jointlyadministered by the Department ofHealth and Environmental Control andthe State Budget and Control Board.Fiscal year 2008 interest rates range from1 - 3.25 percent.

The state recently reintroduced theInfrastructure Revolving Loan Fund offer-ing low interest loans to construct waterand wastewater facilities that protect theenvironment and support economicexpansion. The fund is used primarily forprojects that are not eligible through theState Drinking Water Revolving Fund orthe State Water Pollution ControlRevolving Fund. With no federal require-ments, this fund offers loans up to $3million each and provides small loans upto $200,000 through a very streamlinedprocess.

To receive a loan from the CleanWater or Water Pollution Control funds,the prospective project must be on theDHEC priority list for drinking water orwastewater. Projects may be added toeither list at any time during the year bysubmitting a priority questionnaire.While the project may be added to thelist throughout the year, loan applica-tions must be turned in from October 1to July 31 of each fiscal year.

The Water Pollution Control Revolv-ing Fund offers four tiers: standard rate,small system rate, hardship rate or capac-

ity development rate. The most expen-sive, the standard rate, stands at 3percent, down from 3.5 percent in fiscal year 2007. The loan closing fee, 1 percent of total project costs, can beincluded in the total loan amount.

Similarly, the Clean Water RevolvingFund has four rate levels: standard, smallsystem, hardship or nonpoint source. Ofthese, the standard rate has the highestinterest, 3.25 percent. This rate wasreduced from 3.5 percent in fiscal year2007. The loan closing fee, 0.5 percent,is not eligible for inclusion in thewastewater loan.

“Many municipalities don’t realizethat when water or sewer lines have tobe moved due to highway widening, theproject is eligible for State RevolvingFund financing,” said Trish Comp, loanprograms manager, Office of LocalGovernment. “An increasingly popularuse for the loans is to finance radio watermeters, which in turn pay for themselvesby reducing meter reading costs.”

For more information, visitwww.olg.sc.gov/info.aspx.

December 2007 Uptown 11

Many businesses, even if they’venever given a cent to charities,

are deeply involved in philanthropy dai-ly. They “give” their competitors anadvantage, an edge, because they don’texercise enough care in the written messages they send out.

French philosopher and mathemati-cian Blaise Pascal once said in a letter toa friend: “I have made this letter longerthan usual because I lack the time tomake it shorter.” He obviously under-stood the value of brevity in writing andknew that achieving it takes time.

There are many sins writers cancommit. Some are major sins, such as anerror in fact, or a grammar blunder, or aspelling mistake — all of which canmake a reader question your “smarts.”But one of the relatively minor problemscan be just as deadly as a major one —and that is the sin of “pleonasm.”

Now, there’s a word that most peo-ple don’t have in their vocabularies andwould require them to resort to a quickdash to a dictionary to ascertain theproper definition. In fact, the precedingsentence is a good example of“pleonasm,” which means “using morewords than necessary.” The first sen-tence could have read: “Don’t know thedefinition? Check your dictionary.”

Most people don’t like to receive adocument that goes on and on. Often,they’ll drop it in the circular file ratherthan try to figure out what the point is.A little thought can keep your effortsfrom being tossed in the trash. Which ofthe following would you use?

• “despite the fact that” or “although”

• “due to the fact that” or “because”

• “during the period from” or “from”

• “for the purpose of” or “for” or “to”

• “in the event that” or “if”

• “a sufficient number of” or “enough”

• “at the present time” or “now”

• “in the immediate vicinity of”

or “near”

And it’s not just substituting a wordfor a phrase that saves space. Pay atten-tion to the words you are using. Whenwe talk, we use “buy,” but when wewrite, it becomes “purchase”; we say“try,” but write “attempt”; “ask”becomes “request”; “use” becomes “uti-lize”; “get” morphs into “obtain.”

Whatever you are writing, the verybest first step you can take is to lockfirmly in your mind exactly what it isyou want this piece of writing toaccomplish. If you have thought careful-ly through what you want to say, it’s alot easier to be concise. In one of thecourses I taught at the University ofSouth Carolina, I used essay examswhen I gave tests. Almost invariably, theanswers from the students who reallyknew the material were shorter thanthe answers of those students who didn’t have as good a command of it.

A friend of mine once received amailing that had the following para-graph in the CEO’s column: “As theChairman of this year’s TotalSustainable Resources Campaign, I ampleased to report to all members that we

have now exceeded this year’s cam-paign goal of $375,000! The finalnumber was announced at the VictoryCelebration on September 18 —$391,000. It was the success of the Silentand Live Aucion (Yes, that’s the way itwas spelled in the original) at this year’sAnnual Gala that has put us slightlyabove our goal.”

That’s 65 words. The paragraphcould have said: “As the Chairman ofthis year’s Total Sustainable ResourcesCampaign, I am pleased that we haveexceeded our goal of $375,000 by$16,000! It was the Silent and LiveAuction at the annual gala that put usover the top.” That’s 40 words. It’sshorter; it’s easier to read; and it gets tothe point.

Words can help sell. A little attentionto brevity by you and your writersmight pay big dividends.

Dr. Price, a consultant with SamMcCuen and Associates, taught copy editingand writing for more than 30 years at theUniversity of South Carolina. Article reprint-ed with permission from South CarolinaBusiness, SC Chamber of Commerce.

Getting to the PointBy Dr. Henry T. Price

1411 Gervais Street ■ P.O. Box 12109Columbia, South Carolina 29211Tel: 803.799.9574 ■ Fax: 803.933.1299www.masc.sc

President: Mayor Fred Cavanaugh, Aiken

Executive Director: Howard E. Duvall Jr.

Managing Editor: Reba H. Campbell

Editor: Mary M. Brantner, APR

Associate Editor: Christie M. Penzol

Designed by Corporate Communication Solutions © 2007

Prsrt StdU.S. Postage

PAIDMunicipal

Association ofSouth Carolina

SC Municipal Finance Officers,Clerks and Treasurers Association■ January 23-25, will hold its SpringMeeting and the International Instituteof Municipal Clerks Region III Meetingat the Hyatt Regency in Greenville.Topics include ordinance and resolutionpreparation, cash management, GASB 45and grants.

Hometown Connection■ January 29, Municipal officials fromAiken, Anderson, Calhoun, Cherokee,Chester, Fairfield, Greenville, Lancaster, Lexington, Oconee, Orangeburg,Pickens, Richland, Spartanburg and Yorkcounties visit with their state legislators.Officials will meet at MASC’s office at1411 Gervais Street in Columbia at 10:30 am.

The SC Association of Municipal Power Systems■ February 7, will hold its m at 10:30a.m.ember luncheon at Seawell’s inColumbia.

SC Municipal Elected OfficialsInstitute of Government■ February 19, will hold its A and Bsessions at the Marriott in Columbia.Officials must attend Session A beforethey can register for Session B. Session Atopics include conducting public meet-ings, planning, zoning and personnel.Session B topics include annexation,business licensing, liability and finance.

Legislative Action Day ■ February 20, will be held at theMarriott in Columbia. (See related storyon page 1)

SC Utility Billing Association■ March 12-14, will hold its AnnualMeeting at the Embassy Suites in MyrtleBeach.

SC Municipal Elected OfficialsInstitute of Government■ March 20, will hold a “BasicBudgeting for Municipal Officials” session via satellite to the 10 regionalcouncils of government.

Hometown Connection■ March 25, Municipal officials fromAbbeville, Chesterfield, Clarendon,Darlington, Edgefield, Greenwood,Kershaw, Laurens, Lee, Marlboro,McCormick, Newberry, Saluda, Sumterand Union counties visit with their statelegislators. Officials will meet at MASC’soffice at 1411 Gervais Street in Columbiaat 10:30 am.

For more information about these meetings or other MASC meetings not listed, please call 803.799.9574, or visit our Web site at www.masc.sc.

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