Minority outreach a 'debacle'Effort to be transferred back to county staff The Post and Courier
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Charleston County spent more than $400,000 of taxpayers' money on a minority business outreach effort that accomplished little, but provided lucrative contracts for several politically connected consultants. The goal of the outreach was to see that local minorities received job training, internships and a share of the multimillion- dollar road construction contracts financed by the half-cent sales tax. After two and a half years, a change in program coordinators and two critical reports by outside consultants, the county has pulled the program back in-house to be handled by county staff. The coordinator for most of RoadWise's minority outreach effort has called the program a failure and has in turn been criticized in consultants' reports, but no one is accepting blame. Most of the controversy played out behind the scenes, in documents the newspaper obtained through the S.C. Freedom of Information Act. Through interviews and those documents, The Post and Courier found: --Much emphasis was put on meeting bureaucratic goals, such as participating in "Networking functions," developing manuals and helping minority and women-owned businesses get certified with the state Department of Transportation. --A manual created for the program was little more than boilerplate copied from state documents, with RoadWise logos added. --Of the local firms owned by minorities and women that got contracts through RoadWise, most were on the payroll before the minority outreach effort geared up. --Several owners of local minority-owned companies that hoped to gain new business from RoadWise are frustrated and disappointed that they've gotten none of the $30 million spent so far on transportation projects. --Fewer than two dozen people have benefitted from job training and internship programs. --Having spent more than $380,000 on an outreach program described as a failure, the county also awarded a $24,000 no-bid contract to the person running it, to oversee the transition to county staff. Hiring help In the county RoadWise program, there's a huge amount of money on the table. The half-cent sales tax that Charleston County voters approved in 2004 is expected to raise more than $800 million for transportation projects. RoadWise was created to handle the massive program and hired LPA Group of Columbia to coordinate road design and construction. When it came to the minority outreach effort, county officials thought it would be cheaper to contract out the work, so LPA hired consultants in fall 2005 to do the job. Within months, community activists began complaining about the program. Political muscles were flexed, and new help was hired: Margaret Rush. Rush, a former lobbyist and highway commissioner who has repeatedly sought political office, was brought on in spring 2006 as new coordinator of the minority outreach effort. Her company, JGM Associates, was paid $201,687 over 18 months. Rush declined to comment for this story, but she said in a January report to the county that the minority outreach program failed, and she blamed the program's failings on lack of support from RoadWise and LPA, her employer. Eyes of the beholder The initial goal set by County Council was that at least 10 percent of the money for road projects go to companies owned by minorities and women. The goal has since been raised to 20 percent. Through January, about 14.5 percent, or $4.3 million, of the roughly $30 million of half-cent money that RoadWise spent was with minority-owned businesses, RoadWise project manager Bob Probst, of LPA, said. While the 10 percent goal was exceeded, a closer look at where those tax dollars were spent revealed that the companies who benefitted most were: --An Atlanta company that does spreadsheets, cost estimates and scheduling, which received the lion's share of the money. --The consultants who were paid to manage and publicize minority outreach efforts. --The same minority-owned businesses in place since before the outreach effort began. --Area firms who already had working relationships with prime contractors. "The number of disadvantaged firms that are in this industry are relatively limited," Probst said. "Even further, those within the Charleston area are limited. That's been an issue throughout the history of this program." 'Bamboozled' A great deal of emphasis was placed on helping minority-owned firms get certified with the state Department of Transportation. Rush's company helped 22 small businesses with the paperwork, but the county couldn't say how many of those companies gained contracts for construction, landscaping, hauling and other work. The Post and Courier tried to contact all the firms and reached about half of them after repeated attempts. The others either never answered or never returned calls. Of those reached, owners said they hadn't gained work on RoadWise projects and complained they felt left out of the loop. "We've all been slapped in the face," said Randolph Scott, owner of Preferred Trucking. His company became certified in September, but he said he completed the process without help from Rush. Scott said he doesn't expect any special treatment but hoped his certification and RoadWise's minority outreach efforts would give him a seat at the table. "It's just so disappointing that there has been a breakdown somewhere," Scott said. County Councilman Henry Darby said he felt "bamboozled" because he said LPA promised there would be hundreds of on-the-job training participants when the company was pursuing its contract with the county. Darby said he is "bitterly disappointed" at the results: 13 on-the-job training participants and nine interns so far. Last year, not one intern was hired after local high schools got internship program information late in the school year. Rush called the situation a "debacle" in a report to the county. Councilman Curtis Bostic said the efforts weren't productive. "I think RoadWise is a great program for building roads, but I don't think it's a great program for addressing social ills," he said. 'Inefficient and wasteful' Starting this month, Charleston County staff is taking over RoadWise's minority outreach efforts. "It's a good time to start completely over," County Council Chairman Tim Scott said. But county officials say they have not figured out how much it will cost. Last year, the county and LPA each hired consultants to look at how the outreach program was working. One of the consultants was Maurice Washington, a former Charleston City Council member and current candidate for the Legislature who is chairman of the board at South Carolina State University. Washington's report criticized Rush's work, and she responded by criticizing Washington's report. Washington was paid $69,500. "We came in as an extra set of eyes and ears," Washington said. "I guess she felt that her turf was being invaded and needed to respond." California-based Matrix Consulting Group, in a separate report released in March, also recommended the county take over. The Matrix report looked at the minority outreach effort and concluded that the program wasn't worth the expense and that a relatively small number of individuals and businesses was being served. The decision was made to have the county staff take over the outreach programs. Then Rush's firm was awarded an additional $24,000 no-bid contract to oversee a 10-week transition to county staff. Scott said he urged the county administrator not to rehire Rush for the transition, because of the cost. "He did it anyway," Scott said. The county's top management said the no-bid agreement was appropriate, saying it would be "inefficient and wasteful of purported efforts" to bid out the job. Rush had written a letter to the county administrator in August supporting the transition to county staff, blaming the RoadWise staff for any lack of progress. RoadWise, she wrote, "would be pleased to walk away from the program, so to simply move the program to the county without any associated penalties would be exactly what RoadWise management wants." LPA's Probst defended the company's efforts, saying the county required LPA to meet certain objectives, and they did. Probst said they were asked to help minority companies network with prime contractors, identify firms for potential work and submit monthly and quarterly reports, among other things. Stacks of paperwork were completed. Probst called the more than $400,000 spent on RoadWise's outreach efforts an investment, and said more jobs and contracts for minorities will come when the county's bigger road projects get under way in the next several years. Scott said he does not consider the money wasted. "Whatever we spent to lay the foundation for future success is an important part of how we measure the expense," he said. Rush's company is no longer connected to the RoadWise program, but recently secured a $500,000 contract for similar minority outreach work during construction of the county's new jail. Reach Tenisha Waldo at twaldo@postandcourier.com or 937-5744. Reach David Slade at dslade@postandcourier.com or 937-5552. |
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Comments
This article has 33 comment(s)
Posted by svilleswampfox on April 27, 2008 at 7:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well stated, Harpo. In my opinion nothing keeps racism alive like quotas and handouts based on race. I loathe most liberal agendas, and think many, if not most republicans are just as bad for tolerating this kind of crap.
Posted by karmann on April 27, 2008 at 7:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
At least we know who is minding the till. No one! I think County Council needs to give up their salary for a year to make up the difference. We elected them and this is how they handle the tax payer's money. Of course, they will find a way to place the blame some where else. Thank you very much.
Posted by tripsa on April 27, 2008 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
roger that Harpo! they dont want outreach that want hand outs. easy access based on their skin color or gender.
reverse discrimination and poor quality work. Imagine that. Why try and do your best when you really dont have to compete?
Posted by ColdBeer on April 27, 2008 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yet another government program based on descrimination. I'm glad to see it failing.
Posted by cinnabar on April 27, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Another Govt. demonstration of waste. Also, the program is biased to one segment of society. Hiring Ms Rush was the final straw, she has a platinum resume.
Programs like this drive a wedge in the heart of race relations and highlight racial separation. All races have had access to the same schools I did for the last 40 years, so why do the legislators continue to legislate equality.
Equality is something you earn, just like respect. Stay in school, study hard, work hard and you get equality.
Posted by ColdBeer on April 27, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well said cinnabar.
Posted by stono on April 27, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The 'blame game' is alive & well!! As long as there is no accountibilty, this will continue. It's sad that our tax money is being used and wasted. I didn't vote for that 1/2 cent tax because this is just one of the things that I was afraid would happen...along with the CARTA thing but that's another issue.
Posted by Smart_Enough_2_Know_Better on April 27, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Rotten at the foundation: "The initial goal set by County Council was that at least 10 percent of the money for road projects go to companies owned by minorities and women. The goal has since been raised to 20 percent. "
I'd prefer to see my tax money go to the best contractor- finding the right balance between price, quality and ability to deliver on time- for the job, regardless of race or gender. If you want to improve race equality in this country, invest the money in training in education -give people the tools they need to succeed and they will do just that. But please, don’t award contracts based on genetics.
The fact that bureaucrats screwed up their own ill-conceived plan is only further proof of their incompetence.
Posted by zekemire on April 27, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We must stop spending taxpayer monies on these foolish feel good projects. As with jobs and education, only the best qualified should be given jobs, school placement or contracts, period! By continuing to apply racial mandates to all areas of our society, we continue to foster racial seperation, not a cohesive society! To start, the census divides us all on race. This should be stopped! The census was and should be no more than a counting of the number of resident CITIZENS in the US! Not the race, the income, or, the sex of those citizens!
Posted by KidYendor on April 27, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think all feel good government programs have turned into debacles. I wish MLK was around to preach: "Equality and not preferential treatment is all that is needed."
Posted by The_Mouth_of_the_South on April 27, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If you are the best at what you do, you don't need quota's and racially based handouts. All that proves is that minorities are inferior and can't hold their own on a level playing field, which is not true. There are plenty of minorities out there that own businesses who can easily compete when you don't discriminate. If they need these set-asides, they obviously aren't the best for the job anyway.
Posted by majorjohnson on April 27, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How can you set a goal of 10% of computer companies handling your network must be minority? Can you actually find 10% minority owned computer companies in the lowcountry who have the capability to handle a county-wide network or is that just a number someone came up with that can't realistically be met? Ditto for a roads project. Are there actually 10% of the companies who can handle a major road project out there who are minority owned? Setting this kind of arbitrary number to who has to get contracts is ridiculous. There aren't really that many companies who can handle a major computer network or a major road project.
If a company decides they are going to split their workforce up into equal parts black, white, Asian, Hispanic, Eskimo and Inuit each equally divided into male/female, they'd not only not find the most qualified people to perform the jobs they have, they'd find themselves passing over qualified people and letting positions go empty because of lack of qualified people to fill them or hiring unqualified people just to fill their quota. You can't build roads or computer applications like that.
Posted by Chief_SittingBull on April 28, 2008 at 4:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with Harpo 100% in theory. “Qualifications” should be the basis for which decisions are made and rewards are granted. Reality, however dictates otherwise and factors include nepotism, sexism, racism, classism, ageism and all the other “isms” that make the news everyday. When all of this is fixed, EO-which includes protection for race, color, national origin, religion, handicap, age and sex- will have no place in our society.
Secondly:
I tried to grasp: “Equality is something you earn, just like respect. Stay in school, study hard, work hard and you get equality.”
I find that to be the most absurd statement posted. I agree with Thomas Jefferson who said:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL, they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Right, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
I guess it is safe to say that anyone who thinks “equality is earned” has a problem with the foundation of American Democracy. You don’t EARN equality; you earn respect, but you can lose both.
Good day Charleston.
Posted by Early on April 28, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ahhh, and brother Wrights speech last night fits in perfectly with this article. The big bad government and the white people who run it are all corrupt and have targeted the blacks. What a absolute disgusting speech. And to broadcast it three times last night. To meet the 20% quota, I'm positive that we will have issues with under qualified people trying to make the cut and then the government allowing these under qualified people actually perform the work. If something is wrong it's just won't work and you can continue to waste time and money and it still won't work. Who came up with this lame brain idea anyway?
Posted by theronce on April 28, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They pay for this stuff while saying they do not have enough money. They are so smart, and we are so dumb by keeping them there. The remarkable thing is that it is not worse. It would not matter. We would just vote them back into office.
Posted by Early on April 28, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
allwoman, good post as usual.
I don't know many women in the road construction business so, I guess it's for the minorities which I have to agree that it makes them sound inferior, which they are not and, like they are getting a handout which they are not. I would have preferred if this so call bill, would have stated that local businesses would have preferential treatment and not group it into race or gender.
Posted by bigwhip on April 28, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Did anyone really think that this program was going to work? This minority led council is well on its way to other screw ups. Thanks to single member districts. We get what we deserve when we go to the polls.
Posted by Chief_SittingBull on April 28, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Allwoman:
You are absolutely right. I agree with all portions of your statement. I must also admit that I was taken by MOTS. I thought I had misread something!
I will add that the divisiveness about the word “minority” is the ignorant interpretation that “minority” and “black” are synonymous. “Minorities” in these parts are not viewed as the sub-groups they are; comprised of various ethnicities. Say that word or publish it in an article and there are the same few who try to paint a black and white picture.
Posted by Early on April 28, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
allwoman, I think your point of view is exactly what will make race disapear, maybe not in my lifetime but this stand up on your own, I can do anything I want attitude is the most powerful weapon anyone could have.
Sitting B, the word minority in this area of SC generally means black. If I were in Arizona, it would be Mexican and if in southern Florida it would be Hispanic, if I were in Central South Chicago it would mean white. You are the opposite of allwoman, good luck on that journey!
Posted by Chief_SittingBull on April 28, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Early,
We do not see eye to eye…Since you choose to target me directly here goes…I am “in this area “and I know better.
FACT: Minorities are sub-GROUPS [note the ‘s’ at the end of “groups”] comprised of all races and once again “race” and “color” are not synonymous. Just because there may be a “leading” or “larger” minority, the other groups are not negated. Once again MINORITY does not mean BLACK, not in Charleston, not anywhere.
Your “divide and conquer” nonsense does not work here. I have a great deal of respect for Allwoman’s opinions and have stated just that and FYI: I do not wish to be like her or any other posters…that is your wish. I will not apologize for having an opinion…or stating a fact
While your response was feckless your logic is not at all surprising.
Posted by Early on April 28, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
allwoman, that would be a very tough job in it's own, I'm raising just a couple and I thought that was pretty tough.
Chief bull, again you have changed you username sooooo many times but I know it's the same person. Your hatred reeks from your posts. Your so called logical response is actually quite ignorant. Your a want to be but I haven't figured out what you want to be. Good luck figuring that out yourself!
Posted by ColdBeer on April 28, 2008 at 2:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In retrospect, I do have to agree with Chief_SittingBull that equality is not earned. We all start off equal. Your actions in life are one of the things that determine how much of that equality you lose.
Posted by Chief_SittingBull on April 28, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Early,
So sad; any time you cannot sensibly debate your point, you accuse posters of changing their names. Get a new defense; you are killing that one….How pathetic! Oh, and I’m all the “black” posters except Allwoman… you are a genius!
Find something “hateful” about the comment I posted? The fact that it does not relay the same thoughst as yours? What’s your problem: that I reference Thomas Jeffereson? Or because I stated “black” and “minority” is not the same? Or that I state EO is inclusive of more than race? What’s your problem other than the fact that you know I am a “minority,” which in your world means “black?” Tell me what I said that was out of line…
Here is your problem: You have an inherent dislike for black people.
“A want to be…” I have not heard that since middle school. Early, judging by your comments, there is a lot you have not figured out so I am not at all surprised there. In fact it is safe to say you’re LATE. Take a lesson from Harpo, Coldbeer and your favorite Allwoman; -whether your comments will be popular or not-at least attempt to post intelligently.
Coldbeer, thanks for taking the time to actually read the post and not ‘attempting’ to go for the jugular just because of the poster.
Posted by Chief_SittingBull on April 28, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Allwoman,
I have to tell you I disagree with you too. Blacks are not the only ethnic minorities in the nation. Minority encompasses various groups,...
Are you calling Asians, "black?" Are Hispanics "black?" They are a minorities which is not the same as "black." My sister in law is Okinawan. She is a minority, in this country but she is not "black."
...as for the other portion of your comments you are preaching to the chior. I am not a policymaker, but I am familiar with how things are done.
Posted by Chief_SittingBull on April 28, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I apologize; I mis-understood because you posted," I agree that 'minority' does mean 'black'.
I beg your forgiveness, Ma'am.
Posted by ColdBeer on April 28, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Minority means just what it says... yellow bell peppers are a minority in the veggie section. Black people can be a minority in an area, just as white people can be a minority in another area. I've never considered the term demeaning or derogatory. Of course, that doesn’t mean that some simpletons don’t try and use it as a derogatory term, so I can understand that becoming frustrating.
Posted by Chief_SittingBull on April 28, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I understand. Don't get too chummy with me or you'll lose your "good post" points. We are opposites and you must remember that…and stay that way.
Maybe “good post” points are like sky miles or something…you should look into that. I see a new car seat in your future. Have a great day, Ma'am.
Early, may I have the rules for the "good post" points program. For me, "stop posting" is not an option. However, my posts will remain infrequent so that might make you happy. You have a great day, Sir.
Have a good day all.
Posted by cinnabar on April 28, 2008 at 9:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sitting BS...You earn equality by making something of yourself...Then you don't need to apologize for anything. If you work hard, earn money, pay your way, and get an education, you have access to things. You are equal, successful and earn the respect of others. You don't need to worry about race or minority or ethnicity because you have made yourself equal. Don't stand aside for anyone. If you still then worry about what others think, get a therapist.
If you whine and wait, it doesn't work as well. Keep thinkin, you'll get it eventually....
Posted by Chief_SittingBull on April 28, 2008 at 10:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cinna-bun,
Read the Declaration of Independence. Get familiar with American Democracy then challenge me with something sensible.
What's BS is your lame statement, "you earn equality." Your statement is un-patriotic and goes against everything this country was founded on; the nerve of you to challenge the Declaration of Independence.
Meanwhile, take your post and make toilet paper...better yet, move to China see how much equality you can earn there.
Posted by Chief_SittingBull on April 28, 2008 at 10:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
...meanwhile with other portions of your 2148 statement, I agree.
Posted by cinnabar on April 28, 2008 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sittin BS...Your communication skills as evidenced by your multiple moronic posts are outshined only by your truly ignorant positions on most topics. You managed to confuse even yourself, which wasn't hard. Obviously your fixation with toilet paper shows some deep seated retention issues that requires further investigation. Your capabilities seem to beg the question 'would you like fries with that order?' Keep up the good work, someday you'll run the cash register....
Posted by Chief_SittingBull on April 28, 2008 at 10:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was "on fries" last week, I'm on the cash register now; you are just brilliant. As far as that "investigation" wouldn't you like to know?!!! Freak.
If that's the best you can do for a response. Perhaps it is time for you to turn out the lights.
This is the "big boys" league and you are not ready.
Posted by june on April 28, 2008 at 11:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think this article really takes the cake. Yes all us taxpayer of charleston county
should request a refund of the half-cent sales tax. What a waste of our hard
earned pennies with hiring this and that staff on how to spend this money.
Each community could have told about the bad roads and how it would serve
each area to be improved. This also applies to job training,etc.
This bad judgement on the entire area for lack of good judgement of what needs to be done.
let hope that charleston county council can do better, I think Tim Scott could
have handled all these programs with no failure.