Letters to the Editor – August 31, 2016
In support of the proposed school improvements for Darlington County
To better educate our children, the distinguished members of the Darlington County Board of Education, Dr. Eddie Ingram and Dr. Bill Boyd is sharing with the citizens of Darlington County their vision for the future in housing with an Education Capital Improvement Plan.
In layman’s language, we’ve got to get rid of these antiquated buildings that are now housing our precious children. Having decent facilities will greatly enhance their mental attitudes, respect, and in my heart, better grades.
So now, my plea to the People of Darlington County, let’s get behind our School Board, Dr. Ingram and Dr. Boyd, our children and all the host of dedicated people in the school system and pass the referendum with our exciting support.
With great anticipation of great success, I remain
Harold L. King
Darlington, S.C.
An open letter concerning the Darlington County bid process
Below is an open letter from me (Diane DeLucia) to Sherman Dibble, County Finance Director, James Cox, County Attorney, and the entire Darlington County Council.
Dear Mr. Dibble, County Finance Director, Mr. Cox, County Attorney and the members of the Darlington County Council:
After reading the article, “County Council hears bid process protest” (News & Press, August 24, 2016). I feel compelled to write from my perspective as Chairman of the Darlington County Republican Party and my interest in transparency and ethics for all citizens in Darlington County.
I read in the article that there were several reported alleged inconsistencies in the bidding process of a medical services contract:
1. Deadline not adhered to.
2. No performance bond required.
3. One bidder’s plan of action not accepted (appeared singled out).
4. Another bidder was contacted out of process to tell them to lower their bid (to win the contract – again illegally favored).
5. One bidder had their prices posted publicly (involving county staff to knowingly publish what should be sealed – immediately invalidating that round of bids, or should have invalidated).
As a result, the Darlington County Finance Office appears to have allegedly illegally favored one bidder over others and actively manipulated the outcomes. Since County Council unknowingly voted on this alleged illegal award of a medical services contract, the County Council vote is null and void. The County Council vote has to be vacated and the bid has to be re-issued. Council has a right to expect that the Finance Department will perform at the highest possible municipal and financial standards and not cause time in re-work by everyone in the county.
The Darlington County Republican Party is calling on the County Attorney, the County Finance Director and the County Council to revisit the legalities of the bidding process, post the process for a bidder to protest and of course, open the issue to a re-bid. Our county should be administered in a transparent and confident way for the benefits of the taxpayers and citizens who expect that honesty, integrity and a servant heart will be applied to all work for the county on behalf ALL of its citizens. We stand up for ALL citizens in the county.
At this time, this alleged illegal bidding selection by the Finance Department, has broken the Public Trust in our local government. Will the County Attorney, Mr. Cox, provide an legal interpretation to the newspapers and issue a public statement on the bidding investigation and automatic re-bid that must occur? It is obvious from the article that the Finance Department will require some outside oversight until all process gaps are rectified. If Mr. Cox can restate the issues with what he knows about the case and then presents it to the public, this could go along way to restore faith and trust in the administration of bids. Our citizens can’t afford more settlements than the record number we have had for malfeasance over the last few years in the county government.
The News & Press has my permission to print this letter in its entirety. It is my personal hope that instead of remaining silent, courage will be evident and the county government will step up, admit its errors and then quickly rectify them. No one can find fault in a government that is willing to admit it got it wrong and then work to right itself. But don’t let malfeasance stand.
Regards,
Diane DeLucia, Chairman
Darlington County Republican Party
darlingtonrepublicans@gmail.com
Facebook: DarlingtonRepublicanParty
