May 8 2012

American Screw & Rivit Cleanup

Site Contact: Jeffery Crowley On Scene Coordinator crowley.jeffery@epa.gov

1625 Manse Jolly Road, Anderson, SC 29621, www.epaosc.org/ASR

On June 02, 2011, EPA’s removal program received from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control a referral for the assessment of the facility located at 1625 Manse Jolly Road, Anderson, Anderson County, South Carolina. On November 2010 SCDHEC received information that the facility had stopped operations and declared bankruptcy. In May 2011 SCDHEC conducted an inspection of the facility and documented leaking holding tanks and overflowing sumps. SCDHEC also documented the presence of approximately 80 poly totes some of which were labeled hazardous waste, drums, as well as other containers such as pails, small plastic drums and cardboard containers. On June 02, 2011 Telephone Duty received from the removal program DHEC’s referral package and dispatched OSC Negron to conduct an assessment. On June 03, 2011 OSC Negron along with START personnel met with SCDHEC representatives and after obtaining access from the property owners and the bankruptcy trustee proceeded to enter the facility. Initial assessments from the facility revealed 44 poly totes exposed to the elements. Some totes exhibited cage corrosion and an advanced state of degradation. After entering the facility’s building the OSC observed overflowing sludge filled sumps, water ponds in multiple areas, totes labeled with hazardous waste stickers and pH 2 annotations, cardboard containers in advanced state of degradation some of which had spilled their contents, drums and multiple other containers.

By Kevin Bryant • Uncategorized •

May 8 2012

s.1512 dead, but there’s more than one way to skin a cat

S. 1512 is a bill I introduced to rectify the inequity of nearly 200 candidates being removed from the ballots on last week’s Supreme Court Ruling. Even though s.1512 was amendment and passed out of the Judiciary Committee it received a minority report by Sen. Jake Knotts of Lexington. A minority report in essence kills the bill unless the Senate puts the bill on special order. Senate rules dictate that a motion for special order cannot be made until the bill is on the calendar for 6 days. That means s.1512 could not be taken up until May 23, far too late for any effect.

However, there are more than one way to skin a cat. Today, the Senate put h.3392, which is a bill that deals with election law and can be amended with s.1512’s Judiciary Amendment. H. 3392 is on third reading, so it is possible to amend it and pass it out of the Senate Wednesday afternoon. If the House votes to concur, it would avoid a conference committee and go straight downstairs for the signature of the Governor.

By Kevin Bryant • Uncategorized •

May 8 2012

my testimony at Judiciary Committee on s.1512

I’m not a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, but the chairman (Sen. Larry Martin R-Pickens) was gracious enough to allow me to address the committee. Generally, testimony is not heard at the full committee level. Here’s what I said:

Mr. Chairman and members of the committee I want to thank you for this special meeting to consider s.1512. As I said on the floor last week, this bill was a quick reaction to the Supreme Court’s ruling, causing the disenfranchisement of nearly 200 candidates Democrats and Republicans alike. I wanted to drop a bill in the hopper, generate a debate, and get first reading since the time frame is so short. I am confident the process will produce a workable solution.

These districts belong to the people. On June 12, the Democrats and Republicans across this state will decide their respective nominees, and in November the voters will decide who they want to represent them.

The fallout of the Supreme Court’s ruling has eliminated nearly 200 candidates, all challengers. We have two sets of rules. Current legislators are required to file the statement of economic interest by April 15th each year. If we are late, we simply pay a fine, a slap on the wrist.

First time candidates, however, must file the same statement with a deadline 15 days earlier than ours. If they are a second late, they are disqualified. We get a slap on the wrist, they get the death penalty. That’s just wrong.

Some are accusing the General Assembly of purposefully setting up roadblocks to protect opponents and some say it wasn’t intentional. Personally, I was unaware of the disparity until last week. I think a blame game at this point is irrelevant and should wait until next session when a permanent fix can be constructed. Let’s put that discussion on hold and fix the problem before us as time is not on our side.

I ask that the Judiciary Committee take s.1512 and amend it as you see fit. This committee’s membership and staff consists of some of our State’s sharpest legal minds and I am confident y’all can find a way to thread is needle.

If we don’t act quickly, there are nearly 200 legislative districts in which their voters will not have a choice.

By Kevin Bryant • Uncategorized •