S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley has been warned by State Senators to expect a “difficult fight” if she nominates a controversial cabinet member as the next commissioner of the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC).
Haley is widely-expected to choose Catherine Templeton – the embattled director of the S.C. Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation (SCLLR) – to run SCDHEC, an agency which found itself at the center of perhaps the biggest controversy of Haley’s tumultuous first year in office.
In fact, news of Haley’s selection of Templeton was reported exclusively by FITS.
Talk about one scandal falling into the lap of another …
The governor’s appointees to the SCDHEC board are conducting final interviews for the agency’s top executive position on Wednesday – and Haley has made it clear that she wants Templeton to get the $151,942 a year (excluding benefits) post. Templeton is Haley’s second choice for the position (at least). The governor’s first choice declined the offer because the job didn’t pay enough, while her second pick (presumed to be Templeton) didn’t submit a job application in time the first go-round, prompting Haley’s office to re-open the application process.
Templeton – whose tenure at SCLLR has been marred by all sorts of controversies – has been on “medical leave” from the agency since Christmas, although she did show up for a ridiculous “anti-union” dog and pony show held by Haley at the S.C. State House earlier this week
Don’t get us wrong – we’ve got no love for unions – but Haley’s attempts to manufacture an “anti-union” issue in a state with less than five percent union membership is ridiculous, especially in light of the laughable policies she’s proposing.
Anyway, during her confirmation for the $116,797 a year (excluding benefits) SCLLR job, Templeton promised State Senators – specifically Senate Finance Chairman Hugh Leatherman – that she would be a full-time director despite the fact that she was commuting to Columbia from Charleston, S.C.
Since then, however, Templeton has earned a reputation as a “part-time director” – which the evidence would seem to support.
While we expect the “part-time” issue to come up in the event Templeton is the SCDHEC nominee (as well as her other problems at SCLLR), it is far more likely that a Senate confirmation hearing would draw incoming fire on the agency itself – and with good reason.
Last November, Haley’s SCDHEC appointees approved the controversial “Savannah River Sellout,” an appeasement of the state of Georgia’s port interests at the expense of the Port of Charleston and the proposed Jasper County port project.
UPDATE: It’s official. Templeton has been tapped by Haley’s SCDHEC appointees to lead the agency.
***
By ? January 25, 2012 at 11:11 am
As far as I’m concerned I hope Templeton bounces from one agency to the next. If her model is “fire everyone” and come in part time I’m all for it!!!!
Put her in charge of every damn agency, hell make her the damn governor.
Then we’ll really need that rebate system Will is writing on now and then.
By Smirks January 26, 2012 at 9:22 am
Thank goodness government employees aren’t people and don’t have families to support, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to take your comment seriously.
By norman January 25, 2012 at 11:20 am
If this divisive woman is nominated they need to redefine the job description. Or better yet tell her to find something else to do in Mt Pleasant.
By jimlewis,owb January 25, 2012 at 11:46 am
News Release:
Renowned Physician, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, has been appointed President of the Medical University of South Carolina by Governor Nikki Haley. Dr. Lecter’s first order of business will be to increase Organ Donations especially by Sitting Members of the Legislature.
Also today Governor Nikki Haley appointed Cathernine Templeton head of SCDHEC. Ms. Templeton’s first order of business will be to FuckUp DHEC to a level greather than she FuckedUp SCLLR.
When questioned by the media as to whether these were wise “political choices” the Governor replied she was now above the game of politics. She had an Epiphany after the disappointments she suffered at the cold clammy hands of Mitt Romney. The Governor went on to say these appointments are in the best interest of the little people. The little people who love me, just me. The little people who voted for me, just me. The little people who sent in $40 where me,just me could have a birthday party all by meself, just meself. The little people who would rather eat spam sandwichs, a moon pie for dessert all choked down with a RC Cola just so me,just me and me family can dine on Almas Caviar, Matsutake Mushrooms, Kobe Filet Mignon all consumed while chug-a-lugging Le Billionaire Vodka Shooters in a Mason Jar.
By Dr. Hannibal Lector January 25, 2012 at 12:01 pm
OWB, as a noted fictional character, brilliant psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer, I believe my appointment by Governor Haley was an exceptional decision. Organs need not be donated before harvesting, I…like the Governor, take what I please.
By Director Templeton January 25, 2012 at 12:05 pm
OWB, hence forth you will address me as Director. Leave the pool boys and garden hands out of this, they are only teenagers.
By COS Timmy January 25, 2012 at 12:10 pm
The Governor was not disappointed. I understand Mitt Romney has delightfully warm hands with a kind and gentle touch.
By Little People January 25, 2012 at 12:11 pm
Wat? Forty damn bucks so she can stuff her fat face, you serious Willis?
By Dr. Sheldon Cooper January 25, 2012 at 11:52 am
Let’s recap. Yoga classes in front of the exotic fish tank. Garden boys in the pool. Pool boys in the bedroom. Early wake up at 10am. Idle Boeing broom sticks everywhere. Over a thousand colored condoms from the Occupy Park. Fictitious accomplishments abound. Incompetent cronies hired, experienced career professionals fired. No clue about SCHEC.
By RecallNikki January 25, 2012 at 9:59 pm
That’s the name of the game, “CLUELESS”.
By Palmetto Taxpayer January 25, 2012 at 11:54 am
P.T.T. has proven herself incompetent in the management of a small state regulatory agency.Totally destroyed the agency. It is more political now than ever before. This statement comes from the real management staff. The entire staff despises her and her cronies. She has pathetically tried twice to become a circuit court judge and failed miserably. Now, DHEC????? U can not be political and run a regulatory agency… Simple as that.Does she go before the 3M? Who are the courageous senators that are standing up to Haley? These two are ridiculous…..As a South Carolinian I am again truly embarrassed by Haley and Templeton.
By ? January 25, 2012 at 2:16 pm
“U can not be political and run a regulatory agency… Simple as that.”
LOL…sometimes I wonder if people actually think out what they type for being doing so.
By Ace January 25, 2012 at 12:00 pm
Another top qualification:
Passed S.C. Bar exam on her THIRD attempt.
By Dr. Leonard Hofstadter January 25, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Actually, her paid test taker got the direction right on the third try.
By Dr. House January 25, 2012 at 12:14 pm
Mande Wilkes failed them all, now she is flashing her beaver on Sunday morning TV. Wonder if Templeton would give us a peek?
By Penny January 25, 2012 at 12:19 pm
You really want to see Templeton’s gash on TV with your morning coffee?
By Dr. Fruitcake January 25, 2012 at 12:37 pm
Listen, it took me a half dozen times to pass the SC bar exam. This blonde bimbo from LLR kept telling me that virgin nipples are made with gin instead ginger ale.
By BradWarthenSucks Sucks January 25, 2012 at 12:10 pm
How did this state go from a Doug Bryant to a Catherine Templeton in only one generation?
Oh, that’s right, we opted for more executive powers and accountability.
Unfortunately, we are seeing the problems with poor gubernatorial choices and have to wait three more years for the accountability.
It almost makes you fond for the strong legislative/weak executive of old.
Nine years and counting in the Sanford legacy. Would that we might have fared better with the old school seven plagues.
By Dr. Rajesh Koothrappali January 25, 2012 at 12:21 pm
Being of Indian decent, I do not believe the Senators will dare ask Nikki about Catherine’s flying brooms or colored condoms. It is a delicate subject.
By Howard January 25, 2012 at 12:28 pm
Perhaps the Senator will ask Templeton about that fictional, water walking dream report she submitted last fall. Pants on Fire.
By Tr Pk Boy January 25, 2012 at 1:53 pm
That was not really a’dog and pony show’. They both used the pony, citing the need for both length and grith.
By Paul Stuart January 25, 2012 at 6:09 pm
http://www.thestate.com/2012/01/25/2128199/templeton-selected-to-head-state.html
Templeton selected for top DHEC job
By No Problem January 25, 2012 at 6:57 pm
No problem. No problem at all. Only wimps need clean water and clean air and clean restaurants and such. The free market via campaign donations can decide who gets to do what. Nothing has changed anyway, except for who gets the donations.
By ? January 25, 2012 at 7:28 pm
Yet, somehow, all these things existed before a gov’t agency existed to oversee them.
By No Problem January 25, 2012 at 7:33 pm
No, they widely did not exist just before laws and agencies were created to help assure them. Do you think the laws and agencies were created just for the fun of it?
By ? January 25, 2012 at 9:47 pm
You truly live in a fantasy world, with revisionist history as your specialty.
By Lead Balloon January 25, 2012 at 7:29 pm
I wonder if they will unblock Fitsnews now on the LLR computers?
By Yowzer January 25, 2012 at 9:07 pm
I guess that it will be blocked on DHEC computers now. I am hearing a lot of very unhappy DHEC employees. Temple Queen better be careful what she asks for!! She just may get it!
By RecallNikki January 25, 2012 at 10:03 pm
Yep, all DHEC employees will not be her “yes men and women”. Will not happen as her clock strikes 12.
By Dr. Sheldon Cooper January 26, 2012 at 6:56 am
The world watched as Haley frantically stumped for Romney, only to watch the polls drop 30 points due to her efforts, and his tax gaffes. Let’s not forget Haley’s own tax gaffes, as in not even doing them.
By Dr. Rajesh Koothrappali January 26, 2012 at 7:00 am
The Senate will not bow to the Coconut Queen of Mubai. The Senate members will want to bitch Haley with this nomination and become ROCK STARS like the STATE REPRESENTATIVES.
By Michael January 26, 2012 at 8:51 am
Executive Director does not need confirmation from the Senate…for better or worse.
By Mr. Dixie January 26, 2012 at 9:16 am
S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley has been warned by State Senators to expect a “difficult fight” if she nominates a controversial cabinet member as the next commissioner of the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC
When this gauntlet was thrown down in front of our narcissistic governor, the die was cast. When this fundamental weakness in her character is understood by her adversaries, she can easily be backed into a corner where she can be vanquished by her own feelings of omnipotence and self-importance. The people in this state are no longer fooled by her, and her ineptness as governor will soon be center stage on the National level. I can’t help but believe that somewhere there is a “little girl “just waiting for the right time to expose Mrs. Nikki for what she really is. I just hope when this happens, the Tea Party gets credit for the part they played in delivering to the people of South Carolina such a fine governor.
By Dead Ted Kennedy January 26, 2012 at 9:53 am
Templeton is one of her few remaining loyal supporters. The job she is in right now doesn’t pay squat. The DHEC job pays $150k – about as much as an assistant principal makes. Who cares if she actually works at it? Did Nikki do any work for Lexington County hospital?
By Mr. Dixie January 26, 2012 at 11:35 am
Dead Ted,
If you look at the average income in South Carolina, you will see that 150K is a lot of money to pay someone to screw up one of the most important agencies in our state. I think nationally we are ranked 43 as far as pay.
I guess she feels she will be under less scrutiny if she stays where she is. It was very cute to state up front she is not going to move and thus take this item off the table for negotiation. She can send her commands via email and no one can smell her breath.
Haley wants for this agency to be more business friendly. I can hear their slogan now: Dump anything in our lakes and rivers, and open up the dampers – South Carolina is open for business – It’s a great day in South Carolina!
By Templeton Tantrum January 26, 2012 at 4:28 pm
She is getting out before she gets sued.
The legislature will grumble, but will rubber stamp this.
With an inexperienced and absentee director, this agency will do even less.
Nice move, Governor.
By Let's Tell The Truth January 27, 2012 at 7:38 pm
Check the court dockets – Ms. Templeton is already being sued. Her qualifications she says are “I am a lawyer. I have a law degree. I can read. I can interpret the law. I am intelligent.” Well, Al Capone had an intelligent lawyer who knew the law really well, and apparently, could read – he was also an underhanded, dishonest, evil, lawbreaking crook. Hmmm, possible similarities here.
By Amazed January 28, 2012 at 1:12 pm
Seems like there were two well qualified candidates, one with agency experience and the other at running a large health care organization with 1,000s of employees. It seems CT’s only qualification is being the Gubna’s “lapdog”…..or is it “pitbull”?
Pingback: Catherine Templeton’s Hearing Is Gonna Be Rough | My Blog