SC

Catherine Templeton Makes Her Move?

S.C. HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL DIRECTOR STEPS DOWN || By FITSNEWS || Catherine Templeton – director of the largest government agency in South Carolina – has resigned her post effective January 12, fueling speculation that she will seek elected office in the not-too-distant future. The only question?  Which office will…

S.C. HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL DIRECTOR STEPS DOWN

|| By FITSNEWS || Catherine Templeton – director of the largest government agency in South Carolina – has resigned her post effective January 12, fueling speculation that she will seek elected office in the not-too-distant future.

The only question?  Which office will she seek …

“When Governor Haley pulled me from the private sector, I promised her four years of public service and I have fulfilled my commitment,” Templeton said in a statement released by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC). “I’m looking forward to serving the state from a different position.”

What position it be though?

Templeton – an adept manager and political messenger – is being touted for several potential campaigns.  First, there’s a major effort underway to get the Lowcountry attorney to challenge embattled U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford – who cannot seem to stop shooting himself in the foot.  In fact it was lost on no one that her announcement came less than forty-eight hours after Sanford alienated fiscal conservatives by supporting liberal U.S. Speaker John Boehner.

“I bet you couldn’t drive a pine needle in Sanford’s (rear end) with a jack hammer right now,” one GOP political operative told FITS.

Ha!

Of course Templeton’s timing isn’t political …  as noted in her statement, she said several years ago she would be leaving state government right around this time, which is one reason for the palpable political buzz building around her over the last few months.

Besides Congress, Templeton is also being eyed as a candidate for governor in 2018 – a field that’s expected to include U.S. Rep. Mick Mulvaney (who also backed Boehner earlier this week).

Others contend Templeton is more interested in becoming a judge than running for elected office …

Now … who will take her place at SCDHEC?

Sources close to the administration of S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley tell us Templeton will be followed at the agency by Eleanor Kitzman – who raised Haley boatloads of money in Texas after spending just six months at the head of the S.C. Budget and Control Board (SCBCB) in 2011.

Kitzman was a cabinet member in Sanford’s administration but was fired by the former governor after a dispute over insurance policy.  She was hired in December 2013 by New York based Starr Investment Holdings, but apparently didn’t last long in that post either.

It’s not immediately clear whether Kitzman’s nomination has the support of the SCDHEC board – which gave Templeton a standing ovation after receiving her resignation notice.

Sources tell FITS several members of the board are unhappy with the governor’s selection – preferring instead to go with a nominee advanced by Templeton and her staff.

“It’s going to be a battle,” one source told us, although they declined to name the candidate put forward by Templeton.

“She had an eminently credible candidate lined up but the governor wanted to go in a different direction,” the source said.

Templeton has been praised for her commitment to taxpayers, businesses and the environment – and for turning around an antiquated bureaucracy resistant to change.

“She pushed to de-regulate whole professions, repealed unnecessary and outdated requirements on the books, and pushed through streamlined processes for entire industries that had not been addressed in decades,” one business association director that does business with SCDHEC said.

She also scored high marks for her handling of the Ebola threat – which included her showing up at one Charleston-area hospital pretending to be a patient with symptoms of the disease in an effort to gauge its response capability.

Even environmentalists – who rarely have good things to say about SCDHEC – praised her tenure.

“Her common sense and candor have been fresh breezes in an agency often embattled and distrusted by both the public and the regulated community,” said Dana Beach, the executive director of the S.C. Coastal Conservation League.

SCDHEC CATHERINE TEMPLETON STATEMENT (.pdf)

***

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90 comments

jimlewisowb January 8, 2015 at 3:36 pm

“…….Templeton – an adept manager and political messenger – is being touted for several positions……”

Great news skippy, glad you finally found someone who will go out into the parking lot and sit together in the passenger seat

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nitrat January 8, 2015 at 3:37 pm

Ain’t it grand to go from being a blog that did everything but come right out and call Templeton a lazy taxpayer cheating drunk and slut a mere 4 years ago, to one that has become her biggest cheerleader?
What could inspire such a turnaround?
I do know it’s nothing good.

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grasan January 8, 2015 at 3:44 pm

Drunken slut? Can I get her #?

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jimlewisowb January 8, 2015 at 3:55 pm

What could inspire such a turnaround?
Top 5
1) Closed gap between two front teeth
2) Botox lips( both sets) forehead, corner of eyes
3)Lipo ass, thighs, buttococks, muffin top, under arms
4)Switched to Peach Vodka
5) Willing to sit backwards in passenger seat of 1966 Volvo P1800E after 11 PM

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Flip Coscoe January 8, 2015 at 3:58 pm

Oh my!!!!!!!!!!!!LMAO!!!

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Smirks January 8, 2015 at 4:22 pm

What could inspire such a turnaround?

Same ones that inspired such turnarounds in opinions on Haley, Sanford, Ravenel, etc.

That’s one of the fun things about this site, though.

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GrandTango January 8, 2015 at 4:26 pm

FITS should not feel bad…you liberals – who will swill any Bull-$#!t he feeds you as long as it fits w/ your kooky leftwing mythology – created FITS. He – most of the time – hates your manufactured Boogey-Men as much as you do in your delusional minds….

When none of you have any values, character or morals….why are you surprised…

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Smirks January 8, 2015 at 4:28 pm

No matter how low the bar gets for the rest of us, at least we’ll be able to say “I never had to shill for my shitty blog on FITSNews to get readers.”

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GrandTango January 8, 2015 at 4:28 pm

I’m probably more read on this site than FITS, Dumb@$$…

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Smirks January 8, 2015 at 4:32 pm

Only for the comedic value.

Squishy123 January 8, 2015 at 5:54 pm

Hell you’re more read on this site than on your own blog.

GrandTango January 8, 2015 at 6:06 pm

Since competition seems to be important to you Squishy….I wonder how you stack up versus me, in terms of attention and relevence????…..LMAO…

I doubt you want to ge there…..Hahahaha…Do you?

Flip Coscoe January 8, 2015 at 9:16 pm

Flip Coscoe Saluda Rapids • 3 hours ago
Now watch me upvote my own posts to look important. GT and me are GODS on this blog!

ALL of the posts under ‘Flip Coscoe’ on this thread today/tonight are MINE tonight ,EXCEPT the one above.ANY going forward will have my avatar.
My email accounts and Facebook were hacked and trying to post as guest. Guess that won’t work.

LOL January 8, 2015 at 9:36 pm

Might want to log out next time before up voting your own posts ;)
BUSTED!!!!

Flip Coscoe January 8, 2015 at 9:43 pm

If I like my own posts ,I will ‘upvote’ em. Is that a liberal/socialist/communist rule on FITS that you can’t ‘upvote’ your own brilliance?

GrandTango January 9, 2015 at 9:33 am

Tell ’em Flip. They are dangerous SCUM who are destroying the country…And they think the BUSTED you…LMAO..Dumb@$$#$.

You are right to upvote your own. They’d upvote the Devil (they do) if he has a D by his name and Hates America (he does)…

When one who actually CARES for his fellow man and woman – like Flip – posts, you should be proud of it….

President Perry January 8, 2015 at 6:32 pm

You r 100% correct. His own blog is DOA. The only way to revive it would be for him to open up HIS comments section. That would be fun.

Flip Coscoe January 8, 2015 at 6:44 pm

Some have suggested that GT is Will/FITS? I doubt it but it really doesn’t matter. The brilliance and political astuteness with a degree of faith ,demonstrated by ‘Tango’ ,can NOT be denied or locked in a perpetual forum of liberalism such as FITS.

GT should have a national forum.

Flip Coscoe January 8, 2015 at 6:29 pm

My guess is that you are. Keep up the good work. WE got rid of the American hating, abortion and military bashing BITCH Barbara Boxer today.She quit. She sees the writing on the wall like Joe Manchin in WV. Joe will be a Republican before late in the year.

We are not only winning the battle we are winning the war! Keep the faith.

Saluda Rapids January 8, 2015 at 6:37 pm

Ha-ha-ha. YOU got rid of a 74-year old woman who has served in Congress for 30 years. Nice work, what took you so fucking long? Prospects to replace her with a strong conservative must seem real to you. Good luck with that.

Flip Coscoe January 8, 2015 at 6:46 pm

Damn. +2 today in the senate and it ain’t even 2016!!!!
Manchin and abort-Boxer’s seat!!!
Oh my!!!

Wanker Joe January 8, 2015 at 8:01 pm

Boxer? Dude, that state is bluer than your little nut sac…

Flip Coscoe January 8, 2015 at 6:48 pm

Keep worrying about Boehner Boehner Boehner while we pick-up senate seats!!!!!

Flip Coscoe January 8, 2015 at 6:58 pm

Now watch me upvote my own posts to look important. GT and me are GODS on this blog!

Flip Coscoe January 8, 2015 at 7:04 pm

FRAUD!!!

vicupstate January 9, 2015 at 9:03 am

Yeah, she should have served until she was senile, like Thurmond. How selfish of her.

Flip Coscoe January 9, 2015 at 9:15 am

Please. She quit because the Republicans will control the senate at least until 2024 and the house for decades.

GrandTango January 9, 2015 at 9:35 am

Taking down EVIL is all that matters idiots. How long was Hitler in power before the Christian Nation of the United States, took him out?

Even if justice is slow, you still celebrate it —no matter how much damage she has done, she’s done now, thank God.

Saluda Rapids January 9, 2015 at 9:47 am

Yeah, Sen. Gavin Newsom will be awesome…a refreshing change from Boxer, huh? Their voters are just like SC voters: low information dolts. Glad to see you pulled the daily Hitler card so early. Adjust your tin foil hat and attempt to make it upstairs from the basement today.

GrandTango January 9, 2015 at 10:05 am

There are many similarities between the NAZI Party Movement and the US Democrat Party of 2015. You are ignorant if you deny that.

Or maybe you have not studied history….

NAZIs were (Hitler was) vegetarians who controlled their citizens’ diets because the state was responsible for the cost of healthcare, so he wanted to control what Germans ate.

Hitler believed in controlling resources (See oil and coal) and Nationalizing the businesses of Germany (See GM.)

Hitler thought there should be NO resistance to doing anything he wanted to his political enemies, because he was an elitist and knew what was best.

Hitler said if you control and education and healthcare you can rule the world.

Hitler was a racist against Jews – as Democrats irrationally hate whites – and he controlled the youth.

Hitler WAS the media, much as Obama and the Democrat Party are today….

Again: You are very STUPID to not recognize the similarities.

cedric January 9, 2015 at 2:44 pm

That moment when you sound so unintelligent no one even bothers to reply. Ouch, dude. Swing and a miss…

GrandTango January 9, 2015 at 3:47 pm

I have NO doubt you’re STUNNED speechless…. But it’s because you are so F*#king uneducated, I bet you had NO idea how closely related you and Obama are related to Der Fuehrer.

PS: Wipe that S#!* off that’s running down your leg….Cause I know you S#!t your pants. Reality has that effect on the ignorant and the liberal. LMAO….

Flip Coscoe January 8, 2015 at 6:34 pm

GT accomplished his goal. He helped defeat many a politician statewide and nationally last November. That blog was widely read. He had an audience nationally. sounds like he has ‘other’ endeavors in the works.

I am just glad a moron like you never figured it out.

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Wanker Joe January 8, 2015 at 9:25 pm

“He had an audience nationally. sounds like he has ‘other’ endeavors in the works.”

Like a reach-a-round?

Where's 9" when you need him? January 8, 2015 at 3:42 pm

“I bet you couldn’t drive a pine needle in Sanford’s (rear end) with a jack hammer right now,”

I’ll bet if you could, you’d be his new “soul mate”.

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HighFunctioningAlcoholic January 8, 2015 at 3:48 pm

I don’t care what anyone says….that woman is fine.

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What A Dish January 8, 2015 at 4:07 pm

I’d eat that ass!

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HighFunctioningAlcoholic January 8, 2015 at 4:20 pm

Well that escalated quickly.

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Don't Forget the Floss January 9, 2015 at 11:41 am

True, and I don’t even like corn!

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Smirks January 8, 2015 at 4:25 pm

“I’m looking forward to serving the state from a different position.”

What position it be though?

Better crack open your Kama Sutras, gents.

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aikencounty January 8, 2015 at 4:37 pm

I have a fantasy about her going all Annie Oakley on me while she services NIMRATA!

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E Norma Scok January 9, 2015 at 9:50 am

Reverse cowgirl is always a favorite.

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aikencounty January 9, 2015 at 3:02 pm

That’s the part when she “services” NIMRATA” as I rate her assets!

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Republican Follies January 8, 2015 at 3:49 pm

Sanford will beat the Hell out of Templeton if she runs.

Contrary to Fits and some here who believe the average person closely follows SC Politics,most people don’t even know who Templeton is or what DHEC does.

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Smirks January 8, 2015 at 4:26 pm

SC voters have voted for Haley, Sanford, and Gingrich. Templeton better have an affair quick if she wants to take Sanford’s seat.

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Bible Thumper January 8, 2015 at 6:11 pm

“have an affair”
Will is working on that since his breakup with T-Rav.  

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sbuster1 January 9, 2015 at 9:05 am

Affair with Who? Who in their right mind would have her?

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Cedric January 9, 2015 at 2:46 pm

Isn’t she married?

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bay January 8, 2015 at 3:49 pm

She did a OK job but won’t replace Sanford.

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Hush Puppies January 8, 2015 at 3:52 pm

Wasn’t Kitzman a co-conspirator to Nikki’s extra-marital adventures? About 5 years and 6 dress sizes ago?

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Iftheyonlyknew January 8, 2015 at 6:40 pm

Yes, she is/was one of her BFFs, a pal and a confidant.

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Tommy from lowcountry January 8, 2015 at 3:53 pm

Word is the Governor wants one of her other cabinet attorneys to move to DHEC. Bryan Stirling is most likely though some say Rick Reames is a candidate. But Templeton has her own selection. Battle lines drawing up.

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Wilfred Brimley, J.D. January 8, 2015 at 4:14 pm

Stirling is running DOC and isn’t leaving to run DHEC.

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Iftheyonlyknew January 8, 2015 at 6:38 pm

Odds in the office had been that Jamie Shuster could be put forward, but supposedly the Governor’s office is still pissed about the way she left from there. Literally upped and left, no notice. Catherine had to do a bit of ass kissing smooth that mess over.

It’ll be interesting to see if the Board has the cojones to exercise *THEIR* prerogative to appoint their own choice.

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Flip Coscoe January 8, 2015 at 3:56 pm

Some of you I NEVER agree with however this is some funny shit ya’ll bloggin!!!

What bravado to resign from a failed state government agency that YOU ran and announce you are gonna be a national legislator or governor.

What a joke. You had ONE chance at Sanford and failed. Governor? Not a chance. FITS contributor since Taylor apparently left-YES!!!

Carry on!!!!

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Libtard January 8, 2015 at 4:20 pm

taxpayers be like “bye Felicia”

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anonymous January 8, 2015 at 4:24 pm

“Others contend Templeton is more interested in becoming a judge than running for elected office …”

That’s the word around Templeton’s old place of employment, Ogletree, et al, Law Firm. The problem is that the Ogletree and Jean Toal have never set horses. Toal’s favorite Greenville Law Firm is Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd for whom she once worked and who has almost as many on SC BAR committees representing Jean’s best interest as Nelson Mullins does. It could be that the Feds will be more closely watching the next round of judicial elections since Jean got away with her corruption and vote buying last time, only having to sell out Bobby Harrell. This is going to be fun to watch

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Flip Coscoe January 8, 2015 at 6:55 pm

“Others contend Templeton is more interested in becoming a judge than running for elected office …”

LMAO 2xx!!! That’s it! Templeton is going to follow the ‘traitor’ Tommy Ervin trek of political success…attorney-judge-run for governor-dem-republican-self-identified independent republican-quitter

What a damn plan!!!

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kitty litter January 8, 2015 at 8:09 pm

That’s so four years ago. She’s not interested in that.

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Beartrkkr January 8, 2015 at 4:47 pm

She gonna find another job that can be run from her “home” office in Charleston?

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homegirl January 8, 2015 at 8:13 pm

and she will run circles around you and anybody else from home or any place else.

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Beartrkkr January 8, 2015 at 11:49 pm

Didn’t take long for the henchmen to show up…

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Taxpayer's friend January 8, 2015 at 5:14 pm

What does Nikki see in Kitzman? One of the poorest managers in state history. Kitzman may be Nikki’s friend but as Governor she needs to select an experienced manager not a buddy. That is her responsibility to us the taxpayers.

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nitrat January 8, 2015 at 6:50 pm

Ha.

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Mic January 8, 2015 at 5:14 pm

Kitzman is a disaster. She was awful at the budget and control Board, She does not stay anywhere for long, but she always makes MONEY or ADVANCEMENT for herself.
I am very disappointed at Haley.

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My My January 8, 2015 at 6:56 pm

You are correct. When Kissman (intentional misspell) took over the Budget and Control Board, it was a disaster. It became known as the “itch Controlled Bd.”.
She was there a very short time and the rumors of why she left were salacious!
If true, this will make one upstate Senator very happy!

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sbuster1 January 9, 2015 at 9:09 am

perhaps Kitzman has reached the level of her incompetence..

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jimlewisowb January 9, 2015 at 10:52 am

Kitzman is the personification of the Peter Principle

i.e. She is a Dick

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Templeton the hag January 9, 2015 at 3:03 pm

So is Templeton.

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Kakocracy January 8, 2015 at 5:25 pm

A bunch of middle- and lower-manager incompetents in the environmental part of DHEC are sure sighing in great relief: “We survived her!”

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Iftheyonlyknew January 8, 2015 at 6:42 pm

Eat More Tees is already printing up the shirts! A ticket was logged to be able to order them off the Agency’s image ware page. ;-)

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Kinda Curious January 8, 2015 at 6:48 pm

“She had an eminently credible candidate lined up”

I would love to know who that is.

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Been There January 8, 2015 at 6:57 pm

I sure hope they don’t think Jamie Shuster is anywhere credible or even qualified. Her management style is similar to that of Hitler, Fear and Intimidation.

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hawks January 8, 2015 at 8:04 pm

“Shyster” is a disaster. Mass exodus if that happens.

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Iftheyonlyknew January 8, 2015 at 8:08 pm

Elizabeth Dieck, maybe?

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WW January 8, 2015 at 6:51 pm

Great! Elinor the “Bloody Bitch” Kitzman will return.
A gain for Texas, a loss for South Carolina, if true.

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Mark January 9, 2015 at 8:02 am

Kitzman left Texas and went to New York to work for Hank Greenberg, a noted huckster, robber baron type. She did not last long after tussling with senior management about her salary, expense account and lousy job performance.
Hank may be a crook, but he does not like a bitch that won’t perform.

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johnq January 9, 2015 at 9:26 am

“What position will it be though?”

On her knees?

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Cedric January 9, 2015 at 2:47 pm

wtf???

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Manray9 January 9, 2015 at 10:51 am

Interesting. A story on the head of DHEC stepping down to seek higher office on the same day a story appears on an illegal chemical dumping scandal ready to blow up. A rat leaving a sinking ship? A scenario: Gee, If I have higher political ambitions maybe I better bail out before the incompetence and mismanagement of DHEC becomes too well publicized. Makes you wonder.

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jimlewisowb January 9, 2015 at 10:58 am

Gibbs Rule #39: There is no such thing as coincidence

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Manray9 January 9, 2015 at 1:00 pm

Fishy — to say the least.

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Sam January 9, 2015 at 11:51 am

Wish her the best. Far, far away. Let the freak show that is the Haley administration continue – one disappointing day after another.

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Richard Rawlins January 9, 2015 at 2:19 pm

The Witch is dead……The Witch is dead……..i for one will not miss her. You want to get a feel for her…..pole the employee’s of DHEC and LRB. Her regime ruled by fear and intimidation…I’m glad she’s gone.

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Richard Rawlins January 9, 2015 at 2:24 pm

The Templeton nominee is Jamie Shuster…..Shuster was Templeton hatchet witch. When someone needed doing she called Shuster. Word around the campfire is its payback time for all the dirty work Shuster did for Templeton.

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Really? January 9, 2015 at 11:59 pm

Let’s not not forget the train wreck Eleanor was in Texas!

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gm5425 January 10, 2015 at 2:25 pm

Templeton is an attorney and she’s hot. She could easily find a position with a big law firm and live the good life.

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Kakocracy January 10, 2015 at 4:24 pm

A comment C&P’d from The State:

“Job description [for DHEC director]: Must be able to lie effectively, continually and spontaneously; must demonstrate an ability to lead employees in the arts of stonewalling, double-speak and victim-blaming; must possess a thorough knowledge of who does and who doesn’t matter in SC and distribute resources appropriately; must kow-tow to any business friends or associates of state leaders or legislators; must be able to lose or misplace documents without hesitation; must be able to close ears on command as not to hear evidence which might start an investigation into the misdeeds of campaign contributors; lack of empathy, trust and concern for others preferred but not required; demonstrated allegiance to those who are wealthy and at least.”

While I do NOT feel that this fairly, or even at all, applies to Ms. Templeton, it sure rings true of far too many rapid- and higher-risers in middle and lower management in the environmental side of DHEC. Not all, certainly, or even most, but far too many. Collaborators will outnumber overt committers, but the effect is much the same. This commenter has got their number. No one, it seems, has a solution, because it is just the way those of influence want it..

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Templeton the hag January 10, 2015 at 9:01 pm

The witch Templ

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Belly of the Beast January 11, 2015 at 2:25 pm

I suspect the worst–that is to say the middle management–will be celebrating the most.

Though given some of the possibilities for the replacement, they may soon rue the day. We will soon see.

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