Hotline: Loftis To Step Down At Office On Aging

By fitsnews • on June 12, 2008
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TOO BAD … WE NEED MORE OF THESE GUYS IN GOVERNMENT

FITSNews – June 12, 2008 – We’ll be the first to admit to a healthy dose of skepticism when Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer was given control over the South Carolina Office on Aging.

Would he actually turn the organization into an effective voice for our state’s burgeoning senior population? Or would he simply use the office as a tool to expand his political base?

While it initially appeared that the latter would be the case, that all changed when Bauer tapped West Columbia businessman and international philanthropist Curtis Loftis to run the agency in March of last year. In just fifteen months, Loftis has literally transformed the Office on Aging into one of the most efficient, results-minded government entities anywhere in the country.

Loftis has an exclusive interview on SC Hotline this morning detailing the dramatic turnaround, which consists largely of implementing private sector streamlining techniques and an outcome-based approach to government that has expanded productivity while cutting administrative costs by more than 20%. Frankly, we think his approach is emblematic of the way every state agency ought to run – getting rid of dead weight and unnecessary bureaucracy and targeting tax dollars toward legitimate needs.

Given the fact that our state’s senior population is expected to double over the next fifteen to twenty years, Loftis’ remarkable efforts were sorely needed. And while his success has certainly created a political benefit for Bauer, it’s hard to argue that it’s not deserved.

Now if we can just get other state agencies to start putting the needs of the people they are supposed to serve ahead of their own …

Match.com

Comments

By WL on June 12th, 2008 at 11:39 am

Andre’ did very well when he appointed Curtis. Good government is hard to find these days. Curtis will be missed.

By Harrison on June 12th, 2008 at 12:04 pm

A 20% saving is incredible. Can you imagine if that was done across state government?

Even County government…our Chas county seems to grow every day!

By Believe It Not (a.k.a. Sic Willie's Stalker) on June 12th, 2008 at 12:33 pm

André pulled this little rabbit out of Rod Shealy’s hat, and everyone knows it’s just a Shealy scam. Shealy scams are often similar to willie scams. They come from the same voter scam playbook.

André would dump his Little-gub’ner job and (drum roll, please) the “Office on Aging” job in a N.Y. minute for something really important. Like a get-out-of-jail-free card for his next speeding violation.

By jkl33 on June 12th, 2008 at 12:56 pm

Sanford should hire Loftis…and let him move from one agency to the next. We need less govenment and only committed people can make that happen.

The elections are showing us that people are fed up.

By pam on June 12th, 2008 at 1:57 pm

Curtis, In just 15 months you dragged a tired, outdated, ineffective aging network into the 21st Century. It wasn’t easy, but you dragged those AAA’s and Councils on Aging kicking and screaming. As someone indirectly involved in the senior network it has been a hoot to watch watch them squirm. You brought accountability and transparency into a system that had been ignored for decades. The senior network is at a crossroads now. It can either move forward embracing your commonsense reforms or it can revert back to where it was before you took charge. It is in the best interest of the elderly that your good work and progress be allowed to continue. Thank You

By Sollicitus Civis on June 12th, 2008 at 2:44 pm

Anyone who knows Curtis knows he never quits before a job is complete. Who at the State House is responsible for this?”

By Believe It Not (a.k.a. Sic Willie's Stalker) on June 12th, 2008 at 4:38 pm

Dearest Jeffery,

Sorry we touched such a sore exposed nerve. Here’s more truth.

A scam with a web page is just a scam with a web page. Look at voucher scams. You guys have Brazillions of web sites supporting voucher scams. All they prove is you have a webmaster. And some cute boiler plate quotes and sound bites. You know we’re right.

André pulled this little rabbit out of Rod Shealy’s hat. We admit he’s fed the rabbit and milked it for all it’s worth. It’s gotten fat.

But like most rabbits, it will like have a short lifespan.

Let’s see where the Office on Aging is in 36 months.

Responsible Citizens of S.C.

By Nanette Piccirillo on June 12th, 2008 at 5:00 pm

Indeed, it is refreshing to hear of positive things in our state government.
I suggest using Mr. Loftis’ ability to transform other governmental agencies and departments into more efficient and governmental units. Why loose someone of his talent? Both the Lt. Governor and Governor need to continue their relationship with Mr. Loftis for the betterment of our state and to the taxpayer’s purses. I commend Curtis Loftis for a job well done.

By Mary on June 12th, 2008 at 5:52 pm

Where’s he going?

By Del on June 12th, 2008 at 6:30 pm

I just saw him at Ruth’s Chris steak house at the Hilton, entertaining a party of 8. They were having more fun than we were.

By RammingTheVote on June 12th, 2008 at 7:10 pm

Ah — the bulbs are beginning to come on…West Columbia businessman…West Columbia = Jake Knotts…my little ‘one-girl’ war over here…

…no wonder I could never get a job there!!! Has Knotts got his fingers in every flippin’ pie in this state???

By Believe It Not (a.k.a. Sic Willie's Stalker) on June 12th, 2008 at 10:07 pm

Loftis entertains at Ruth’s Chris while the elderly he’s worked so hard for are eating pork and beans on a fixed income.

Or, was he just working for the rich elderly?

Perhaps we’re unfair. In his party of 8 where there any retired elderly from Arthurtown? Nope. Just some party faithful.

Arthurtown folks are not his kind of elderly. Nor André’s. Cute. We wondered how the é’s would look.

Frankly, the BIN News Editorial Staff prefers Diane’s on Devine. Try the steak stuffed with crab. So good it’ll make you want to slap will.

But, don’t. We heard willie likes being slapped around. That’s why he keeps this pathetic little blog up.

Responsible Citizens of S.C.

By Believe It Not (a.k.a. Sic Willie's Stalker) on June 13th, 2008 at 12:54 am

Sorry, sic(k) willie. We forgot your limitations. Diane’s is an upscale restaurant on Devine Street just a few blocks from 5 Points. As you leave the Hardee’s drive through take a right, then a left on Devine.

Diane’s on Devine is just a few blocks up the hill, on the right, on the corner. They offer valet parking. Don’t be afraid. They bring it back.

The steaks and service surpass anything else in Columbia. Try it.

By ScooterLiddy on June 14th, 2008 at 11:25 am

Believe It Not (a.k.a. Fucking Dumbass),

Do you honestly think you’re scoring points with your inane posts?

By SCHotline on June 22nd, 2008 at 6:24 am

Believe It Not (a.k.a. Sic Willie’s Stalker)

You are an idiot, this is the finest person to grace SC State Gov we know, so he gives away his fortune and time (Millions) all over the world and you condemn him for having a steak with some friends at a going away event? Loser!

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