Chief Justice Stiffs Hampton County
Friday was a picture perfect day in Hampton County, S.C. – a little warmer than usual, but bright, beautiful and full of promise.
Golf course weather, if you will.
This was the date – Friday, February 13, 2009 – that had been hand-picked by S.C. Chief Justice Jean Toal for the dedication of the new Hampton County Courthouse, a 130-year-old structure that had been rebuilt over the previous two years.
Toal not only picked the date, she insisted on giving the keynote address at the ceremony. Not surprisingly, the public square was packed with hundreds of people – including dozens of children – eager to hear the Chief Justice speak.
Many couldn’t believe that she was actually coming to this small town in the middle of a forgotten, rural County – the Southwestern anchor of South Carolina’s so-called “Corridor of Shame.”
And so they lined the streets downtown. The high school band played. The children put on their Sunday best.
Local judges, pastors, lawyers, lawmakers all gathered to commemorate the occasion.
But Jean Toal? The guest of honor?
Uhhh, yeah …
She never showed.
“They covered for her but it was just disgraceful,” said a local attorney who spoke with FITS on condition of anonymity. “Her people called an hour before the ceremonies began and canceled.”
For the record, Toal is said to have had an “emergency conflict” in her schedule, but the Chief Justice is well-known for canceling events like this at the very last minute.
She bailed in similar fashion on an event in York County last month, and at another event in Richland County last November.
And in one of those instances, Toal’s “emergency conflict” reportedly involved sucking down cocktails with a few “friends” at a local Columbia bar.
Everyone “in the know” apparently knew beforehand that Toal was also going to bail on poor Hampton County, which is one reason why the local organizers put off printing their programs until three days before the event “in case she needed an out.”
But the kids didn’t know that …
Anyway, the booklet commemorating this event will now be sent to the South Caroliniana Library, where it will be recorded for posterity that Chief Justice Jean Toal was the keynote speaker at the re-dedication of the Hampton County Courthouse.
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Comments
By Mr. Darcy on February 16th, 2009 at 1:48 am
She’s a discrace to the bench, to the rule of law, and to South Carolina. She needs to go, really.
By Todd on February 16th, 2009 at 8:31 am
You have got to be kidding me.
By Mrs. Darcy on February 16th, 2009 at 8:57 am
Weak. Try missing your appointment with her and see what happens.
By Sand Hill on February 16th, 2009 at 9:00 am
She missed a stirring rendition of “God Bless the USA”, performed by the Wade Hampton High School Marching Band.
By A.R.S. on February 16th, 2009 at 9:47 am
She made it to the Lexington County re-dedication of the Marc H. Westbrook Judicial Center in 2006. It was held it on a Sunday; there is film footage available at the Lexington County Public Library, if you are persistent enough.
>What a slap in the face for the citizens of Hampton County, South Carolina<
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http://www.judicial.state.sc.us/whatsnew/displaywhatsnew.cfm?indexID=316
BTW, I was told by Judge McMahon’s office that the fountain was never completed because they ran out of money.
By will mottingham on February 16th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Hard to explain!! I am sure there is a sauce-ee explanation.
By Pete on February 16th, 2009 at 10:55 am
Why didn’t she send her servant boy, Costa? That’s what she did at the Richland County Bar Association meeting in November. I think he said she had some unavoidable conflict that day also. She’s got her new servant girl Kaye Hearne to show up for her now if Costa has an unavoidable conflict also. Sheesh, as you would say Willie.
By Hickory Hill on February 16th, 2009 at 10:58 am
It was Proud to be an American by the high school band, Sand Hill. The sheriff sang the Star Spangled Banner a capella and it was damned good.
By Natasha on February 16th, 2009 at 10:58 am
My people are from Hampton, sad for Hampton…
By Philip Branton on February 16th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Actually…it was heard that she is twisting arms at “Diane’s on Devine” concerning the PAYDAY lending bill and a bill concerning Leon Lott’z “Phelps Blitz” !!!!!!!
There is camera phone snaps of her literally …SMOKIN’!!!!
By trish on February 16th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
She was in Greenville speaking at a CLE.
By just me on February 16th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Will: Call the Court and see what their explanation is. There could have been an emergency petition etc. At least give the Court an opportunity to explain.