Tinkering with tax policy yields unintended consequences

Lee Walton

What a great idea!– Cap periodic property reassessment at 15%, eliminate school operating taxes on residential property, and fund it with a state-wide1% increase in sales tax. Let the tourist pay while the locals play! It was high time those poor folks South-of Broad got a little recognition for keeping up those beautiful old mansions that draw those nosey tourist “from off” here in the first place.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 07:43 PM | Comments (0)

Spitzer’s Slice & Dice politics no stranger to Charleston’s Mayor

While reading the March 3rd Palter & Chatter commentary “Pride preceded self-righteous Spitzer’s fall”, I was struck by the very familiar personality profile that Jay Ambrose used to describe ex-Governor Eliot Spitzer of New York; he could just as easily have been describing Charleston’s own Mayor Joseph P. Riley. The persona that evolved under the frank observations of Ambrose parallels the same characteristics that have been used by Riley’s critics and political opponents for over two decades – “… a monarchical arrogance, a sense…” Riley “…has had that he is vastly superior to others, always right and a law unto himself… this self-important egotism that propelled …” Riley “…to a political success that once seemed to have no limit, and yet it is the same arrogance that got him into a fix from which there was no rescue.” Time will tell if Riley’s attempts to cover-up his administration’s gross mismanagement of the CFD and current spinning of the blundering good-old-boy ineptness of his lackey fire chief’s responsibility for the Sofa Super Store tragedy will lead to a similar public downfall and disgrace.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 10:58 PM | Comments (0)

Our Nation’s morality and freedom, albeit need, of religion

From time to time we should each endeavor to better understand the principles and intellect that guided the founding fathers of our nation as they struggled to create a government that marked the beginning of American democracy. The assembled delegates at the 1787 convention in Philadelphia did far more than make the first formally written constitution; they successfully preformed the awesome task of forging a new nation. These were remarkable men of timeless vision, wisdom and courage, but, arguably, their greatest shared asset was a profound sense of Judeo-Christian morality.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:17 PM | Comments (0)

Elpis mortgage default fails the Smell Test

Lee Walton

Charleston City Council’s unanimous vote without debate or question last week to bail the nonprofit Elpis out of default on its Josiah Smith Tennent House $1.4 million mortgage spoke volumes about the extent of control Mayor Riley now exercises over his council, ostensibly elected to exert fiduciary control in the public’s best interest. From its inception in 1993, with the acquisition of the Josiah Smith Tennent House from the City for $5, Elpis has functioned as a funding funnel through which approximately $6 million have flowed from private donations and City and federal coffers with the unconstrained blessing and support of the Riley Administration. Over $1.5 million in federal HUD funds alone were awarded to Elpis by City Council. Apparently, the only worthwhile Elpis asset remaining is the House itself with a recent book value of $2.6 million and a $1.4 million mortgage. What else of public value has been purchased with or provided by the unaccounted for millions is anyone’s guess.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:36 AM | Comments (0)

Food + Wine Festival – Greater Event, But Wrong Venue Again

For the second time in two weeks, Peninsula Charleston has hosted major back-to-back tourism festivals and, once again, these events have demonstrated that too much of a good thing in a small, ill-equipped location can be just that – too much! Even before the dust of the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition settled on the all too downtrodden pathways of Marion Square, it was again covered from edge-to-edge by a village of tents, vendor trailers and port-a-potties for the next onslaught of hungry and thirsty revelers eager to sample the many tasty tidbits of Charleston’s renowned cuisine.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 07:55 AM | Comments (1)

Fire Sprinkler Reimbursements – Who pays and who benefits?

Proposed statewide efforts to underwrite fire sprinkler systems for homes and businesses hit critical snags last week that now threaten to block legislative action sought in response to the loss of nine Charleston firefighters in last June’s Sofa Super Store tragedy. Recent articles in the State and Palter & Chatter have followed differing versions of current bills as the House and Senate struggle to resolve the fundamental issue for funding subsidies. Although broad, nonpartisan support still remains to encourage and partially fund installation of sprinkler systems, there is an apparent lack of political will to accept responsibility for funding rebates or tax credits by state, county or local governments.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:55 AM | Comments (0)

Growth Limit Pontifications – All Hat and No Cows

A recent series of Palter & Chatter editorials extolling the virtues of regional growth limits have offered stark contrast to other recent published commentaries that have attempted to justify a mixed-use mega-development on the outermost fringes of West Ashley’s already over-stressed public utilities and transportation infrastructure. To the Palter & Chatter’s credit, each of these four editorials have contained clear and unambiguous urgings for local governments to institute and implement regional growth control policies or suffer the unfortunate fate of several rapidly expanding metropolitan areas in our state and elsewhere throughout the southeast. Common traits each of these four editorials shared are strong beginnings and equally powerful summations. Unfortunately, it’s the missing opportunity in the middle of these editorials that reflects poorly upon the journalistic obligation of the Lowcounty’s only daily newspaper to take a courageous position in opposition to the Long Savannah deal-estate development and its potential to do irreparable harm to the quality of life in the extended West Ashley area.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:23 PM | Comments (1)

Commuter Rail – but on a different track to the same destination

For several decades, area politicos and business leaders have attempted to interest the commuting public in a 22-mile commuter rail alternative paralleling the much maligned and overused I-26 Corridor from Summerville to Charleston’s lower peninsula. A mid-2006 study commissioned by CARTA, a follow-up federal grant funded study sponsored by BCD COG, and a privately funded study supported by the mayors of Charleston and North Charleston have each focused on commuter rail service as the best viable, cost-effective alternative to rapidly increasing commuter vehicle traffic congestion plaguing I-26. The common consensus of these study efforts is that commuter rail service from Summerville to Peninsula Charleston will be expensive to initiate, slow to attract a profitable user base, heavily dependent upon large annual subsidies to offset initial operating deficits, and, lastly, at least a decade away.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:25 PM | Comments (1)

Sofa Super Store – “We don’t know who is most responsible for this tragic loss.”

Lee Walton

Public statements like that above which appeared in last Saturday’s February 2nd Palter & Chatter article, Sofa store lawsuits in flux, not only beg the question, but accentuate the collective head-in-the-sand attitude and questionable motives of those in positions of responsibility to frame the proper questions. As “complex” as Circuit Judge Roger Young declared the circumstances of this case to be, one clear, unambiguous fact remains - if nine firefighters had not been ordered into a known death trap, they would still be alive today.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:43 PM | Comments (1)

Credibility of journalism plunges with circulation

Over the past two decades, newspaper circulation has been plummeting down hill with no bottom in sight. Ever increasing competition from cable television, talk radio, the Internet, and, most recently, telephone news service has scattered the traditional audience of newspapers to these vastly more convenient and accessible media sources. Adding to this ever-increasing problem is the realization that the traditional newspaper-advertising model is obsolete – it’s not interactive, time efficient, and does not narrowly target the demands of today’s quality consumer. Declining circulation has manifested itself in the adoption of a more economical tabloid format, smaller text, shrinking news space, more advertising per page, newsroom staff cutbacks and non-traditional, short-term marketing gimmicks. Such desperate acts increasingly reinforce the readers’ suspicions that newspapers are now motivated more by profit than quality journalism or caring about the best interest or their readers.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:10 PM | Comments (0)

One carriage flip away from a tragedy – Why?

The City of Charleston and thirteen very fortunate tourists luckily averted a much more serious outcome following the wreck of a runaway carriage on the afternoon of January 9th. As reported in the Palter & Chatter on January 10th, “… at least six of the thirteen people aboard were injured when the carriage tipped over while turning onto Meeting Street.”

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:30 PM | Comments (0)

The writings of Lee Walton will return in mid-January. Until then, CharlestonWatch has selected what we consider the “Best of Shrimp ‘n Grits” published in 2007. Only a Lowcountry native intimately familiar with the ageless intrigue and inner workings of Charleston City politics could author such a poem.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:57 PM | Comments (0)

A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to All!

During this busy Christmas Season, please pause a moment and give grateful thanks to the many husbands, wives, fathers, mothers and friends serving in our nation’s armed forces throughout the Middle East and other foreign lands. Also say a special prayer in memory of the nine brave Charleston firefighters lost so tragically on the evening of June 18th.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:36 AM | Comments (0)

Rusty, the Red-neck Fire Chief

Rusty, the Red-neck Fire Chief,
Made his men wear dangerous clothes,
And if they ever melted
They’d cling and cause some awful woes.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:06 AM | Comments (0)

Twas da night befo’ Votin’

Riley serves Charleston his Banquet of Consequences

For over three decades Mayor J. Pericles Riley has single-handedly picked and molded each City of Charleston Department Head into loyal, unquestioning servants with a total disregard for the obvious fact that many are undereducated, ill-trained and under qualified for the responsibilities delegated to them. The only qualification of consequence to Riley is blind, unwavering loyalty and a willingness to “fall on a sword” when necessary to protect his image. Until the evening of June 18th, Riley, with the support of this loyal administration of lackeys and sycophants, has managed to bluff, blunder, threaten and cajole his way through the governance of the City by polemic arrogance, intimidation, political pressure and his Madison Avenue crafted persona.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:04 PM | Comments (1)

Riley – Mayor or Maestro?

The current power imbroglio among a few Charleston City Council Members and Mayor J. Pericles Riley following in the wake of the tragic death of nine city firefighters has again focused much needed public scrutiny upon the legal powers and responsibilities of city council. Under the seemingly endless imperial reign of Pericles, the functions of council have been relegated to that of an emasculated advisory committee to be ignored or patronized at the pleasure of the Mayor. His recent public discourse with a few members of Council’s Public Safety Committee exemplifies Riley’s self-proclaimed role as Maestro of the Chamber Music emanating twice monthly from City Hall.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 09:25 AM | Comments (0)

Charleston’s Own Music Man

If bedecked in his finest gold-fringed uniform and twirling a silver baton, Robert Preston, the late award-winning actor of stage and screen, would pale in comparison to the contorted visions, deals and shakedowns orchestrated by Charleston’s own Music Man, J Pericles Riley. Eighteen months ago the original Shrimp ‘n Grits version of whimsical verse repeated below described what was then a forecast of perceived threats to the fragile quality of life on the Peninsula. Today, each has become a tragic reality

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 07:40 AM | Comments (0)

De Swimp Anthology

De Swimp’s Net

De Charleston Swimp ‘e need de tools,
So ‘e make ‘e Council ta be de fools.
‘E pick ‘um each fo’ de pawns dey be,
‘N hopes mos folks don’t care ta see.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:43 AM | Comments (1)

De Swimp Anthology

Swimp Mon! Swimp Mon! Swimp fo’ Sale!

De Swimp Mon ‘e ben round since e’ber,
Dis fo da reason ‘e be so clever.
Fo’ all de ‘lections, ‘e ben de boss,
‘N make ‘e cronies de stalkin’ hoss.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:26 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

De Charleston Swimp

Oh, de Charleston Swimp, ‘e be quite scrawny,
‘N ‘e hire de tief be Danny Malomy.
‘E talks so fine to all ‘e cronie,
But mos’ folks know ‘e jus’ be phony.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:47 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Palter & Chatter shatters harmony of green space approval

Lee Walton

It didn’t take long for the elitist editors of the Palter & Chatter to sharpen their steely little ink-stained knives and begin a concerted effort to press County Council into reversing its July 24th decision to approve PRC’s purchase of a 420 acre park site at Harmony Hall near Megget. It’s amazing how bitter and backstabbing these narrow-minded folks can be when things don’t go their way. Notwithstanding the “dog ‘n pony show” by Mayor Riley, City Council member Begone Evans, The Machine’s Colleen Condon, and a gaggle of the Mayor’s bought-by-the-pound sycophants, Riley and his deal-estate development cronies’ attempt to condition the Long Savannah Swampland purchase to a shift in the Urban Growth Boundary failed to fool the majority of enlightened and independent members of County Council.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:10 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Harmony Hall – A better buy for PRC and tax payers than Long Savannah swampland

Lee Walton

For over two months, readers of the Palter & Chatter have been bombarded with editorials and feature articles extolling the virtues of a J. Pericles Riley brokered deal extorting PRC into buying 1,600 acres of remote, federally protected swampland, tidal marsh and pitifully poor highland along the western edge of the proposed Long Savannah deal-estate development. This much hyped park site is the critical lynch-pin to allow the City of Charleston to annex and rezone 2,820 acres for a 3,600 home Planned Unit Development. This proposed Mega-PUD, the largest in Charleston County west of Daniel Island, would stick PRC and the taxpayers with a questionable park site of dubious value and limited public access for $6.5 million from countywide half-cent sales tax revenues. Its annexation into the City would also shatter the long-standing sanctity of County Council’s Urban Growth Boundary (UGB).

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:37 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Smoldering Questions Spark Need for Change

With the continuing revelation of facts surrounding the June 18th Charleston Fire Department tragedy, which cost the lives of nine brave firefighters, it’s increasingly evident that Charleston’s Fire Department is a glaring exception to both regionally and nationally accepted command procedures and fire-ground response protocols. This past Sunday’s well documented Palter & Chatter article, Experts question hose choice, is the most recent in a continuing series of articles describing the downward spiral of events that lead to the “total chaos” of June 18th. Together these articles present a clear and unambiguous indictment of the leadership and out-dated, tradition-bound command procedures practiced by Fire Chief Rusty Thomas. The long standing “…hard-charging, aggressive approach to battling fires...” first exposed in the Palter & Chatter’s Sunday, July 1st feature article, Tradition of Risk, now appears to have placed Charleston’s firefighters in unnecessary positions of extreme risk with ineffective equipment incapable of quenching a raging inferno or useful to save their own lives.

Continue reading "Shrimp N' Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:26 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Class-One Damage Control or World-Class Cover-up

In the recent aftermath of Charleston’s world-class public service tragedy that resulted in the loss of nine firefighters, Charleston’s Mayor and his sycophantic administration have adopted nothing short of full court press tactics to deal with mounting adversarial news releases and the rising level of open criticism from expert, professional firefighters and national safety experts throughout the Country. As typical of Riley’s duplicitous efforts to deflect blame and divert accountability from himself and his loyal band of yellow-dog protectors, he’s now adopted the tactically deceptive cloak of self-righteous hypocrisy in a blatant attempt to regain the moral high ground. Three of his current thrusts to deflect the growing number of critics include: championing statewide legislation to mandate retrofitting sprinkler systems in older buildings; dropping or drastically reducing sprinkler system impact and meter fees and monthly service rates; and audaciously suggesting that “No one should be trying to make political hay out of this tragedy.” The utter mendacity of such actions rises to nothing less than world-class levels of dissembling and misrepresentation.

Continue reading "Shrimp n' Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:15 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

The Defense of Fort McHenry

Oh! Say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, o’re the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof to the night that our flag was still there.
Oh! Say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, o’re the land of the free and the home of the brave??

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 09:03 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Courage Under Fire

Lee Walton

My first reaction was visceral, like a quick fist to the gut that takes your breath away. How could this tragedy have happened in Charleston? How could nine brave men have died so quickly and violently protecting the life and property of those they served? After reading Tuesday morning’s Palter & Chatter headlines and numbly watching the morning news, the sorrow that followed created a solemn sense of profound helplessness. The upwelling of tears was unstoppable as the number of firemen, so tragically lost, was repeated again over the radio on the way to work. Why? Why did so many men have to die this way? Heroic, gallant, loyal, courageous – these mere words can never describe their final actions as they did their duty and made the ultimate sacrifice their profession often demands. Later, their names, faces and backgrounds personalize the loss even more. It was like losing a close business acquaintance or neighbor that you never took the time to really get to know. As the days passed last week, I developed a deeper understanding of the special bond and fraternal brotherhood these brave men shared as they lived, worked and finally died together. In the end, their courage never failed them – but their leaders did.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:02 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Kudos to Senator Ford, a politician with a purpose – Clean Air!

Lee Walton

It’s been almost two weeks since a very informative article by Peter Hull appeared in the June 6th Palter & Chatter extolling the continuing efforts of Sen. Robert Ford to improve air quality at SPA’s existing terminals and the new container terminal being constructed at the former Navy Base. According to Hull’s article, the Senator has a clear understanding of “…air pollution generated by trucks, ships and trains at local shipping terminals” and how he can play the cards he holds to achieve positive air quality improvements in the Lowcountry. Given Saturday’s Palter & Chatter 7B Business Section headline article, “Ships to cut diesel fumes”, it appears that Sen. Ford is several long strides ahead of most other local politicians and self-proclaimed environmental experts who would rather pontificate than offer the diverse, albeit well targeted, plan of action envisioned by the Senator. It’s truly refreshing to finally see a politician Walk the Walk.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 07:55 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Blatant contradiction between Talking and Walking like a visionary

Lee Walton

Does it strike anyone else duplicitous that Charleston’s Mayor is so recently dedicated to saving us all from urban sprawl and global warming while remaining hopelessly addicted to deal-estate development schemes like Long Savannah, Magnolia and countless others in the hinterlands of West Ashley, Johns Island and up the Cainhoy Peninsula? Continued development at the current pace set by Joe Riley over the past three decades will add tens of thousands of new homes, transplants from off and their commuting automobiles to the already over-stressed natural environment and strained infrastructure of the Lowcountry.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 07:49 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Where has all the clean air gone?

Where has all the clean air gone?
Long time passing.
Where has all the clean air gone?
Not so long ago.
Where has all the clean air gone?
Mixed with bus fumes by the ton.
Oh, but the fuel that CARTA can burn?
Oh, when will Howard show concern?

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:02 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Memorial Day – A day of tribute to our Nation’s Fallen Defenders

As our Nation celebrates Memorial Day weekend with family and friends, each of us should pause and remember those who, over the past century and even today, have given the full measure of their lives to protect and defend the basic freedoms we so often take for granted, but many throughout the world can only vaguely imagine.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 07:31 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Really Go Green –Build Urban Parks!

Lee Walton

Last week, after a downtown business meeting and with a few minutes to spare, I drove to White Point Gardens and parked to watch one of the larger Tall Ships enter the Harbor for this past weekend’s Maritime Festival. As I gazed about the park that I remembered playing in as a young boy, something seemed missing from the majestic canopy of old Live Oaks that shaded this still beautiful, albeit now shop-worn creation of Olmstead’s genius. It took a few minutes until realizing that there wasn’t a hand-full of moss (Spanish Moss – neither Spanish nor moss, but an epiphyte) to be seen anywhere. Later while driving around the Lower Peninsula, I began consciously searching for any sign of this commonplace vegetation that still graces and accentuates most mature oak canopies throughout the more rural settings of the Lowcountry. One can’t help but be impressed by the beautiful old gray beard oaks that still line most heavily wooded roadways throughout the Sea Islands and surrounding rural landscapes south of Charleston. Ever the curious, I called an acquaintance who was in the landscape business and asked why there was no longer any Spanish Moss in the Peninsula. His answer was short and to the point – air pollution.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:26 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Charleston’s Deal-Estate Development Complex – an Elite Ruling Class

Lee Walton

The Elitist Doctrine holds that in any society, a minority ruling class makes the principal decisions. In democratic societies this small ruling class most often attains power and sustains itself and its individual members through monopolizing the skills and resources necessary to protect, create and enhance the individual wealth of its members. Once entrenched in a particular sector of the economy, this elite class cannot be controlled by the majority, even through normal democratic means, due to the power, organization, political skill, and individual abilities of its members. Its strength lies in its ability to dictate the terms of admission into its ranks by establishing the rules of conformity through social origin, race, religion, profession and often marriage. Given a favorable economic environment in which to thrive, members of this elite ruling class often amass great wealth, influence and create wide economic gaps between themselves and other less organized factions of local society. Over the past three decades the buying, selling and development of real estate in the Greater Charleston Area has lead to the creation of an autonomous ruling elite that now controls the primary engine of wealth in the Lowcountry – the Deal-Estate Development Complex.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:11 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Big Fish, Little Fish - Both were Financial Sharks

Lee Walton

The recent, nearly countless string of Palter & Chatter articles about Charleston’s latest Rogue-of-the-Year, Al Parish, begs comparison to similar financial scams that have graced the pages of other, albeit nationally prominent, newspapers in recent years. One article of striking applicability appeared in the June 4, 2006 edition of The New York Times. This story summarized the infamous deeds of none other than Enron’s Ken Lay and contained a quote by Samuel W. Buell that seems to sum up not only the many transgressions of the late Ken Lay, but Al Parish as well, “… at the end of the day, the machine just ended up being a coffee maker.”

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:48 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Journalistic Credibility

Lee Walton

For the past three weeks, the Palter & Chatter has focused much of its reporting efforts on the trials and tribulations of Al Parish, the Financial Advisor and Investor, and those who have either suffered from or benefited by their associations with Big Al. This endless stream of articles has not been unlike the recent national media's handling of the Duke University Lacrosse team’s false rape case or the journalistic feeding frenzy surrounding the Imus firing. The common element linking these two national media events with that pursued locally by the Palter & Chatter is the wholly gratuitous manner in which the Palter & Chatter and several of the national news media handled each of these stories.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 09:48 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Al Parish, The Economist – “…an open and full discussion so important”

Lee Walton

For seventeen of the first twenty-two days this month, the Palter & Chatter has bombarded its readers with an unprecedented and seemingly endless barrage of articles about Al Parish, The Investment Advisor. Throughout a series of at least twenty-seven separate articles, the Palter & Chatter’s news staff has reported on everything from Parish’s Christian ethics to his bizarre collection of cars, artwork and jewelry. Stories about neighbors loosing their children’s college funds, greedy university board members and other poor, helpless “pool” victims, who were all to willing “to give a hundred dollars to be a millionaire” made front page, above-the-fold headlines as bold as any tabloid at a supermarket checkout. Nonetheless, the silence from the Palter & Chatter’s elite third-floor editorial staff remains deafening about Al Parish, The Economist. Why?

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 06:40 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

BIG BAD AL

Ev’ry mornin’ at the Chamber you could see him arrive
He stood five feet six and weighed three forty-five
Very broad at the shoulders, even wider at the hips
And everybody knew ya gave all ya chips - to Big Al.
Big Al, Big Bad Al.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 06:55 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Ellis Oaks Greenbelt Grant Purchase – a day late and a dollar short!

Lee Walton

Charleston City Council proposes to use Urban Greenbelt Grant Funds from Charleston County’s Transportation “Half-Cent” Sales Tax proceeds to reimburse itself for a previous action to purchase the surviving remnants of a sea-island plantation garden at the intersection of Folly Road and Ellis Oaks Drive for use as a passive urban park. At its September 12, 2006 meeting, City Council agreed to purchase this 1.25-acre site, admired for its majestic Live-Oak canopy and mature azaleas, for $430,000. Council’s action ended several unsuccessful development attempts by the owner and Ellis heir, which were st