By FITSNews || S.C. Rep. Phillip Lowe is a “Republican” running for reelection in the middle of the Pee Dee – a part of South Carolina that seems perpetually stuck in neutral no matter how much big government bacon its “Godfather of Pork,” State Sen. Hugh Leatherman, brings home.
And to be perfectly honest, Lowe hasn’t been much help in turning things around since he was elected to the S.C. House four years ago. He pretty much “goes along to get along” and does his best not to upset Leatherman – which means he won’t be winning any “Taxpayer Hero” awards anytime soon. In fact, in 2009 Lowe received a “D” grade from the S.C. Club for Growth for his votes to limit government spending (which means there obviously weren’t a lot of those votes). During the 2007-08 session he received a “C” grade.
We’re hopeful that Lowe will receive a better score in 2010 – and to his credit he was one of only 29 lawmakers to vote against raising the cigarette tax without a corresponding tax cut and long overdue reform.
Still, we’re skeptical of the guy.
Now … what does any of that have to do with living in a trailer?
Well, Lowe’s path to reelection got a lot easier last week when it was alleged that his Democratic opponent – former law enforcement agent Benny Webb – doesn’t live in the Florence/ Sumter County legislative district that’s being contested in this race. Obviously, that’s a big no-no, as state law requires that S.C. House and Senate candidates actually live in the district they’re seeking to represent.
According to The (Sumter, S.C.) Item, though, Webb is trying to stay on the ballot by claiming residence at a mobile home where his two brothers live.
We know … only in South Carolina, right?
There’s just one problem with his “Elect Me, I Live In A Trailer” plan. According to records obtained by The Item, Webb is paying the state’s 4 percent “primary residence” property tax at a non-mobile home located outside of the district (a home where his wife and children also reside).
Ruh-roh.
Webb has an explanation for that, too. He says he is building his “dream house” on a piece of land located next to the trailer – where he “plans on living for the rest of his life” – but that in the meantime he spends “as many nights as (he) can” with his wife and kids.
Yeah … on the sofa, we’re guessing.
Webb also blames Lowe for raising these residency concerns in an effort to distract voters from “the issues.”
“If my opponent would stop trying to get y’all to get something on me … I want to keep it on the issues because there are so many problems facing the people of the 60th District,” Webb told The Item. “I don’t care if the man lives in Greenville and is running – that wouldn’t be an issue to me. Unless he wants to go scorched earth, I’m keeping to the issues.”
Scorched earth … mobile homes … yeah, you just gotta love Pee Dee politics.
By eggaday July 27, 2010 at 9:14 am
tell him to put a camper on the site and hook it up to the trailer. that’ll work just fine.
By SumterResident July 27, 2010 at 9:41 am
You should put up a picture of the house that he actually lives in. Why in the world would any sensible man live in this trailer when he has such a beautiful home? This man is a liar.
By Ralph Hightower July 27, 2010 at 10:30 am
That’s the same thing that Joe Grimaud from Chapin did; rented an apartment in Saluda just so he didn’t run and lose against incumbent Joe Wilson again. Grimaud picked a House seat that didn’t have an incumbent running for reelection.
By Lot to do about nothing July 27, 2010 at 10:45 am
Benny became enraged after The Item newspaper ran a story about being seen chatting with the disgraced alleged crack dealing Ex-Sheriff E. J. Melvin at his arraignment. It was one line out of the entire story. In a letter to the editor, Benny’s responded in a four page rant complaining that the reporter had it out for him. His paranoid letter described five “sub-textual and subliminal messages.”
After complaining the reporter had not done a “modicum of research” the Item’s writer Joe Perry exposed Benny in a front page story detailing Benny’s residency and tax troubles.
Benny is a former SLED agent of 28 years. He was fired as Chief of Police in Lancaster after just two years for questionable hiring practices and management style.
He was removed by SLED as interim police chief in Atlantic Beach after a brawl with the ex-town manager during a council meeting. Assault charges were filed against Webb. He also aided suspended Atlantic Beach Mayor Retha Pierce with an alcohol related offense, one of four recent arrests. Pierce filed a $50 million lawsuit against the Town of Atlantic Beach. Pierce’s unoccupied home recently burned and officials have labeled it as suspicious.
More recently, Benny worked as a deputy sheriff under E.J. Melvin of Lee County who is awaiting trial on federal drug conspiracy charges. Currently, Benny runs the Palmetto Center for Law and Justice as a professional investigator and non-lawyer advocate. In other words, he bird dogs lawsuits for people who claim to have been wrongfully terminated or their constitutional rights were violated.
By continuing the charade, Benny disgraces his service with SLED and loses credibility as an investigator.
Benny’s wife, Abigail Busby-Webb, an assistant principal at Lakewood High appears complicit with Benny’s claim that he lives with his two brothers. This is not exactly the kind of behavior one would expect from the chief disciplinarian at a high school. How can she expect teenagers to deal honestly with her? Maybe she is upset at Lowe for voting to consolidate the two school districts.
Benny claims to live without his wife and family in a mobile home valued at $2,526 instead of a $245,517 brick home. The new brick home has a 4 percent tax assessment rate, meaning it is an owner-occupied residence. Webb admits, “I do spend as many nights as I can on Windrow with my wife and children until I’m able to build on Boots Branch Road.”
By OhNoNotAgain July 27, 2010 at 11:12 am
That last post is as interesting as the actual story. Maybe more.
Tell me more.
By Step to the Right July 27, 2010 at 11:23 am
Only the best for South Carolina!
By Step to the Right July 27, 2010 at 11:28 am
Ralph, is this “Joe the furniture store guy” with the horrible boring radio ads that feature his wife going on and on and on about his military career? (Bless him for his military service) PLEASE, Joe, hire a MAD MAN to improve advertising! YIKES!
By ceilidh10 July 27, 2010 at 12:06 pm
trailer trash
By Apples and Oranges July 27, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Ralph Hightower,
Candidates for Congress do not have to live in the District they are running to represent.
By south mauldin July 27, 2010 at 3:43 pm
Harry Cato syndrome.
By snodgrass July 27, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Does that mean a homeless man can’t run for office? If that’s the case, this economy is likely to narrow the field in future elections…considerably.
By Jackie July 27, 2010 at 9:29 pm
Joe Grimaldi – whose wife pimps out his military service to hawk their cheezy furniture. Ironic the “celebrate” Memorial day by running endless ads promoting a furniture sale. Note to WVOC radio – when that old crone starts into her commercials, I immediately turn to another station.
By Philip Branton July 27, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Wil……
your killin’ me…..
By Philip Branton July 27, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Where are the steps to get in the door…..????
By Philip Branton July 27, 2010 at 10:41 pm
Hey, at least there is a HUGE satellite dish ……
By Catherine July 28, 2010 at 9:18 am
Certain this picture was taken in the Pee Dee somewhere? I could swear I’ve seen that exact same mobile home in Pickens County in the Upstate.
Are the wheels off of it? Perhaps this is a “Community Trailer” for state congressional hopefuls all over the state.
By carl the greenskeeper July 28, 2010 at 10:14 am
Reckin that there’s my place. mmmmm. Some folks calls it a trailer. I calls it a mobile home. mmmm. Ain’t no floor in it, just a hollered out spot in the dirt with some blankits in the hole. mmmm. Reckin I could use me some of them biskits. Awite, then.
By Lot to do about nothing July 28, 2010 at 10:34 am
Click on the link in the story to The Item and see the pic of his brothers trailer he is claiming as his residence, a pic of his new brick house, and his mug.