SC

SC Politicos Battle For DMV “Credit”

Given South Carolina’s chronic incompetence and anti-competitiveness on virtually every available measurement, politicos in the Palmetto State are usually grappling to appropriate blame … not assign credit. One rare exception? The S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) – which was famously reformed a decade ago under the administration of former…

Given South Carolina’s chronic incompetence and anti-competitiveness on virtually every available measurement, politicos in the Palmetto State are usually grappling to appropriate blame … not assign credit.

One rare exception?

The S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) – which was famously reformed a decade ago under the administration of former S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford.

In fact Sanford’s efforts to streamline the agency (which included Saturday office hours and enhanced online capabilities) were praised this week by an unlikely source – liberal public relations executive Tim Kelly.

“You can criticize Mark Sanford about a lot of things, but he sure as heck fixed customer service and waiting times at the DMV,” Kelly wrote on his Facebook page.

But did he?

A liberal activist – one with a history of, um, vehicular issues – quickly piped up to correct Kelly.

“That plan was implemented under Sanford, but (it) was drawn up by the husband of a friend of mine at the end of Hodges’ administration,” liberal activist (and former blogger) Laurin Manning wrote. “Sanford is quick to claim credit for it though.”

That comment drew Sanford’s former chief of staff Scott English into the mix …

“It’s the hard work of the SCDMV staff,” English wrote.

Of course he quickly transitioned into credit mode for his old boss …

“Only one Administration implemented and maintained a standard of excellence, but let’s NEVER give it credit for anything. Ever,” English complained. “Of course, if things had gone badly at any point, only Sanford would have been blamed.”

Sheesh … what a whiner.

The irony in all this? Performance at the SCDMV has been slipping in recent years as the administration of Gov. Nikki Haley has chosen to play political games with the agency (here and here) rather than let it do the job we pay it $84.5 million a year to do.

Maybe these politicos should focus on that rather than trying to appropriate credit unto themselves for a decade-old “reform.”

Related posts

Crime & Courts

South Carolina Judicial Hearings: Deadline Approaching

Jenn Wood
SC

South Carolina Detainees Drop Gang Signs, Smoke Joints On Snapchat

Dylan Nolan
SC

South Carolina Dance Star Missing, Abandoned Vehicle Found Near Congaree Park

Callie Lyons

3 comments

Frank Pytel October 14, 2013 at 4:44 pm

Que Nimrata in 3…2…1…

Reply
Frank Pytel October 14, 2013 at 5:01 pm

Yeah, Sorry Shifty. I just realized I picked that up from you about 3 months ago. My Bad.

Reply
nitrat October 14, 2013 at 5:12 pm

Huhhh?

The 2010 LAC audit of DMV found that their financial records were so messed up neither LAC or DMC could tell whether vendors had been paid twice…among other craziness.
This was right before Trikki took the head of the DMV and made her the head at the BCB.

Reply

Leave a Comment