Local Radar

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Shane Massey's announcement speech

web posted July 17, 2007
COUNTY – Following is the transcript of Shane Massey's speech  announcing his candidacy for the 25th District South Carolina Senate seat:
Just over 14 years ago, I stood on a stage in the middle of the football field at Strom Thurmond High School.  As I looked out – on what seemed to me at the time to be at least 10,000 people – I told my fellow graduates, and all those in attendance, that we were quickly approaching a time for a new generation of leadership.  I said then that we must be the ones who are willing to serve something larger than ourselves and contribute solutions to the difficult problems facing our communities.  We are the ones who can bring change to the status quo.  All it takes is the willingness to work tirelessly for what you believe in.

I see many problems that need solutions.  But to find solutions we must change the way Columbia works.  It is with that belief and with the willingness to do the hard work that I announce my candidacy to serve the people of Aiken, Edgefield, McCormick, and Saluda counties in the South Carolina Senate.

My wife Blair and I have tried to serve our community and increase the quality of life for all our citizens because being part of a community requires more than just living and working in it.  I believe we are all called to participate in and serve our communities.  And I have tried to do that.  Whether it be participation in civic organizations – such as the Johnston Lions Club or the Aiken SERTOMA club – or supporting our schools and encouraging future generations – by serving on the Board for Edgefield County’s First Steps, helping coach the mock trial team at Strom Thurmond, or mentoring students at J.E.T – or working with members of the Johnston Development Board to bring jobs and economic prosperity to our area, I have tried to be an active participant in my community.

But none of that is enough.  To find real solutions to our problems, we must bring greater change to our state.  That means changing the structure that resists change.  Changing those more interested in politics than progress. To advance our communities, we must change Columbia.  Where Democrats fight Republicans.  The House fights the Senate.  Both fight the Governor.  Special interests rule the town. And South Carolinians are kept waiting for solutions.

It starts with education. We must continue to seek ways to improve our educational system.  And if we settle for “minimally adequate,” our children are doomed forever.
   
Now, I am a product of public education.  I believe in public education.  I believe the public schools must be the foundation for our educational system.  But I know we can improve upon what we now have.  I want to talk with teachers and educators in our district to gain their input.  I will listen to and consider any idea that might improve educational opportunity for all our students, but I come to the table with a strong support for public schools.

Second, we must do more to seek economic prosperity for our district.  In Aiken County, we have witnessed tragedy and extensive job losses in the past few years.  Edgefield, Saluda, and McCormick counties have found it difficult to recruit good, high-wage jobs.  With the right leadership, we can work to reverse those trends.  I pledge to you that I will work with our town and county officials on job recruitment, and I will be a strong advocate in Columbia for the economic prosperity of this area.

Third, in recognizing the challenges we face, we must also understand that the solutions do not come, simply, by spending more money.  We absolutely have to be more responsible in our spending. 

And we must continue efforts to restructure our state government.  If we can make our government more efficient and more cost-effective at the same time, it is incumbent upon us to do so.

Ladies and Gentlemen, South Carolina is a great state, and our district is a wonderful part of this great state.  But we can be so much better.  In order to do that, we must first raise our expectations.  We cannot settle for “minimally adequate” schools; we cannot give up on our future by failing to recruit and demand good, high-paying jobs to our district; and we cannot tolerate the petty bickering that prevents the change we desperately need.  We deserve better, and we should expect more.

I believe I can contribute to the solutions.  I am willing to work hard to make our district and our state a better place for all of us.   But I need your help to make it happen.  So I ask for your support, and I ask for your prayers.  And I look forward to earning your vote.

 

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