Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Hodges asks two board members of a state-owned utility to resign by Associated Press CHARLESTON, S.C. — Two of the six Republican-appointed members of the board of South Carolina’s state-owned l utility have resigned following a request by Democratic Gov. Jim Hodges. The other four have refused to re sign, the governor’s office and Santee Cooper said Monday. Leon Goodall of Columbia, whose te*rm expires in May, and Fran Gilbert of Conway, the board’s only woman, ten dered their resignations, governor’s spokesman Morton Brilliant said. The others the governor asked to re sign are Larry Bighant, of Rock Hill, Lewis Harrison, of Roebuck, Claude March banks, of Clemson, and Joe Young, of Georgetown. Replacing the board has been a diffi cult task for Hodges, who saw his call for the resignation of Chairman John Rainey go to the state Supreme Court. The high court ruled in a 3-2 decision tliis summer that Hodges could fire members of the board. Rainey had aigued that whoiesale.re placements on the board, where mem bers serve staggered seven-year terms, would be disruptive and could affect the value of bonds issued by the nation’s fourth-iargest, nonfederal, public utility. The (Charleston) Post and Courier reported that five of the six Republican board members it contacted said they were told that the governor wanted them to resign by attorney Dwight Drake, who had represented the utility during Rainey’s effort to maintain his board position. “I asked him (Drake) why he was calling instead of someone from the gov ernor’s office, and jte said the governor wanted him to do it,” Bigham said. “If the governor doesn’t want us to serve, all he has to do is issue an executive or der.” Brilliant said the governor chose Drake to deliver the message “to cause a minimum of fuss and bother.” Goodall s^id he initially refused to resign and said he hopes to stay on the board through May. Gilbert, who works for Canal Industries of Conway, did not return calls from the Post and Courier seeking comment, the newspa per reported Tuesday. “This is just politics,” Harrison said. “And this is the first time in the life of Santee Cooper that this has happened.” Brilliant said the governor’s office will announce the board’s final makeup during the next few weeks. <* Volunteers of America helps millions of people in need ever\ year. Abused children. Families. The elderly. People with disabilities. Tile homeless And others who V&i have lost their way. For over 1(H) years, we've helped build lietter communities by teaching skills and restoring in pride and hope. Find out how you can help. Call M 1.800.899.0089 or visit www.voa.013>. There are no limits to caring. tr T Volunteers of America' — Come see what over 280 organizations have to offer you! and more! Thursday, August 31 10:30 am - 3:00 pm Russell House Patio Registration Deadline is 8/25 For more information call 777-2654 or stop by Student Government. * Rain location: Russell House Ballroom The Ticket Office will be distributing football tickets at the Fair for the New Mexico State and Georgia games. (well, at LEAST THE CD WE RE GIVING AWAY DOES) FREE TUNES WHEN YOU OPEN A WACHOVIA college account. And a free check card, free use of Wachovia ATMs (they’re all over the place) and free Online Banking. Try to find another bank that gives you all this, plus the music of Train, Josh Joplin, Stir and 10 other artists. TO OPEN A COLLEGE ACCOUNT AND RECEIVE A FRESH CD,* STOP BY ANY BRANCH. OR FOR MORE DETAILS, CHECK OUT WWW.WACHOVIA.COM •One CD per account, while supplies last Wachovia Bank, N.A., is a member FDIC. Account subject to approval. ©Wachovia Corporation WACHOVIA ^tSrted: