Upcoming meetings and talking points ...

The Pickens County Council will meet Monday January 4, 2015 at 6:30PM at the County Administration Building.  

One of the major talking points is that Tri-county Tech wants $6.5 million dollars to build a student union building.

The major issue here is that it is against the law under Article 11 Section 3 of the Constitution of South Carolina.  The State is responsible for funding education: Buildings, maintenance, and operating expense.  If we get into this type of borrowing expense, it will be never ending.  If Tri-County Tech wants this building, the State should pay for it.  The only other way that they could get the County involved is to put it on the ballot in November, and let the people decide whether they want to fund it.  I remind you that we are already in debt over $355 million (some revenue bonds, some general obligation bonds) for buildings in this County.  I want to also remind you that Tri-County Tech's original mission was to train workers for industry. Now the Pickens County School District has spent tens of millions of dollars and hired a bunch of teachers to do the mission that is supposed to be done by Tri-County Tech.  They are now a Junior College for Clemson University, teaching many students that want to avoid some professors at Clemson and taking college courses at a cheaper price; which is fine but should not be the expense of the County.

I think before this is voted on by the Council, we should be given a public legal opinion by our County Legal Advice and also the State Attorney General.

Another talking point is the Syrian Refugee problem.  Enough info has already been sent out on this.

There will be other talking points for the January 7, 2015 meeting with the delegation to be held at Clemson City Hall Chambers at 5:30PM.

If you do not come to these meetings and make your wishes known, prepare to have your taxes raised.  We should let it be known that we will sue individually and collectively every member of the Council that votes favorably for the $6.5 million.

Also note:

January 25, 2016 School District Of Pickens County Board Meeting / 1348 Griffin Mill Rd Easley @7PM 

Conservatives Of The Upstate Monthly Meeting / 6:30PM Second Thursday each month. Next meeting Thursday January 14, 2016 at Blue Ridge Bible Church, 769 Belle Shoals Rd.  

Junius Smith