Letters to the Editor

Well-run primaries

On behalf of the S.C. State Election Commission, I would like to thank county election officials, volunteers, media and the thousands of poll workers who helped ensure the voting process for the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries ran smoothly.

The mission of the State Election Commission has always been to ensure that all eligible citizens have the opportunity to register to vote, participate in fair and impartial elections, and have the assurance that their votes will count. The broad success of the past two Saturdays has validated the success of that mission. As always, the lion's share of credit for that success goes to the county election officials who took on the enormous task of conducting two statewide elections a week apart.

We must also take this opportunity to thank S.C. voters. With approximately 978,145 ballots cast and a combined statewide voter turnout of 43.5 percent for both presidential primaries, the level of voter participation in these primaries speaks well of South Carolinians' interest in the presidential election process.

All S.C. voters should be proud of their participation in the 2008 presidential primaries and thank our county election officials and poll workers for helping uphold the integrity of our state's voting process. Together, we will continue to ensure that in South Carolina "Every Vote Matters, Every Vote Counts."

MARCI ANDINO

Executive Director

S.C. State Election Commission

Columbia

I-526 and growth

Growth and change may indeed be inevitable for Johns Island, no matter what happens with I-526. But few could argue that the sort of explosive, overnight, out-of-control growth that has occurred in northern Mount Pleasant and the Cainhoy peninsula was not a direct result of the completion of the eastern segment of I-526, which opened those areas to quick and easy access.

The same would be inevitable for Johns Island should I-526 be completed as planned, and the rural character of yet another sea island would be lost forever. The detrimental environmental impact to the marshlands in the path of the new highway have been well-documented and disseminated by the College of Charleston's Dr. Philip Dustan. The South Carolina Lowcountry is still a beautiful place. Let's try to save a least a part of it and not turn Johns Island into another free-for-all destination for developers.

BILL TURNER

Ashley Hall Road

The color black

It saddens me to read the comments in a recent letter to the editor titled "Change negative."

I commend the writer for posing the question about the connotation of the color black, and want her to know that she is reaching people. However, I do not associate the color black with negative or bad, as she stated, and believe that many others feel as I do. In fact, black has a variety of positive associations.

Her question led me to the Internet to search the color black. Black is considered to be a positive color, with terms like "restful emptiness," "potential," and "possibility" used as descriptors.

Keep in mind that we attend "black-tie" affairs' with reverence and pride and think of them as formal and elegant. When a business is profitable, the business is said to be "in the black," giving title to "Black Friday," the shopping day after Thanksgiving where most businesses get out of the "red."

And women know what their go-to attire is for that special event. It's their little "black" dress.

In addition, black is not worn at funerals as a sign of death, but rather as a sign of solemn respect and sincerity. To the writer, out of the darkness, anything may emerge, positive or negative. You are bringing knowledge and understanding to others, which foster the positive.

I hope not only the writer, but also everyone reading this keeps in mind that words only have the power we give them.

Only the weak, afraid and angry will use words to hurt others, and if we maintain our positive attitudes and outlook, words cannot affect us.

Black is a color and an adjective, and every event and person in the world is so much more than just a color and an adjective.

SCOTT STRAHLEY

Valley Forge Drive

Voc-ed important

It was with great interest that I read the article about high school vocational education. I went to a high school in the Pennsylvania coal regions, which strongly emphasized vocational education.

There obviously is a strong need for it now, as there was then. We all need electricians, plumbers, auto mechanics, TV repairman and carpenters, etc. Many kids in high school are good at these kinds of work where they may not be as good in traditional academic subjects.

I know Charleston has had several vocational high schools in the past. Now there is only one. West Ashley High School and counselor Mark Epstein are to be commended for their efforts to get more students into Charleston's one remaining technical high school, Garrett Tech. More technical education in the high schools is needed. The students need it and the public needs it. Then qualified students can go on to further their technical education at advanced technical schools and colleges such as Trident Tech.

CHARLES WEBB III

Society Street

Politics and church

I agree with the letter to the editor concerning politics and church. When I attend church, if a member of the clergy starts talking politics, I will get up and leave immediately. Politics has no place in a house of worship.

By the way, I consider myself a Christian.

RICHARD D. FOX

Loblolly Circle

Ladson