Democrats Throw Down Gauntlet, Plan to Take Over County

CHARLESTON - As wind from the outer bands of Hurricane Irene rattled the metal roll-up doors at the Charleston Maritime Center on Friday, S.C. Democrats sought to rally supporters to a plan to turn Charleston County blue.

"The natural disaster of Hurricane Irene is passing us by, but the unnatural disaster of Nikki Haley is still with us," said state party Chair Dick Harpootlian, referring to the S.C. governor.

Rep. Jim Clyburn announced that Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz would be the keynote speaker at the party's Blue Jamboree planned for Oct. 22 at the Maritime Center.

Wasserman Schultz serves as vice-chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's incumbent retention program. She is frequently interviewed on CNN, MSNBC and other news broadcasts, and is considered a rising star in the Democratic party by many.

The Blue Jamboree, or BluJam, is an event that was created by the West Ashley Democrats in 2010 and held at Parkshore Park. Recognizing the potential of the event, the Charleston County Democratic party and state party leadership have joined in.

"What we want to do is remind people that Charleston County was carried by Barack Obama in 2008," West Ashley Dems BluJam Chair Mimi Dias said.

"In 2010 Vince Sheheen (the Democrat candidate for governor) carried Charleston County. Democratic voters are here in the majority and we want to make sure no one disenfranchises them."

Harpootlian had a message of warning for all the Republican office holders in Charleston County.

"We'll field candidates for every office and make sure they get the support they need to win, look at the data, this is a Democratic county," he said.

"So if you're a Republican clerk of court, or coroner or hold any other office elected county-wide, you ought to be calling the county Democratic chair about switching parties, because otherwise you won't be getting re-elected."

The party also used the press conference to announce the members of its 2011 Marjorie Amos-Frazier Pacesetter Award Selection Committee.

Named in honor of the first woman elected to Charleston County Council and the first woman, African American and non-legislator to be elected by the S.C. General Assembly to serve on the S.C. Public Service Commission, the inaugural awards were presented last September during the first BluJam. The 2011 award will be presented at this year's BluJam.

The Selection Committe includes Chair Kaye Koonce, Charleston County Councilwoman Colleen Condon, Herb Frazier, F. Renee Gaters, former Gov. Jim Hodges, Vertelle Kenion, Montez C. Martin Jr., Carolyn Murray, Robert Rosen, Mary Ann Sullivan and Barbara S. Williams.

"We're very pleased that they are remembering my mother and remembering her work," Elease Amos-Goodwin said.

"She was not only our mother, she was mother to so many in an extended family that came to seek her advice," Vertelle Kenion said. "Our doors were always open."

Amos-Goodwin and Kenion said their mother taught them, and many other people, lots of life lessons, but the most important and lasting ones revolved around giving back to the community.

"She taught us how important it is to give back, to reach back and bring someone along with you," Amos-Goodwin said.

"To do whatever you could to be of service to your community and to mankind," Kenion added.

The Pacesetter Award Selection Committee will meet Sept. 9 to decide the 2011 recipients. Former Charleston City Councilwoman Hilda Hutchinson Jefferson and the late Conni Valentine Ackerman were recipients of the 2010 award.