McKie Still Owes $57,100

 Why isn't Amelia McKie making any payments on her debt to the South Carolina Ethics Commission?

The Commission advised yesterday that she still owes $57,100!

Is she unwilling to pay or unable to pay? There is a difference. She seems to have money to dress as she does for Richland 2 school board meetings. 

McKie was first elected to the Richland 2 school board in November 2014, and she was re-elected to the board in November 2018. She served as Board Chair in 2018-2019 and as Board Secretary in the current year, 2021-2022.

Am I the only person in Richland County who thinks she ought to be making substantial payments on that debt, in order to eliminate it? It appears that she is not only not making substantial payments; she doesn't seem to be making any payments toward it. Every two-three months the Ethics Commission confirms that she owes the same amount.

McKie has a hearing next week at the Ethics Commission for her most recent violation of ethics laws. On her 2021 Statement of Economic Interests Report she did not report her 2020 income from the Richland 2 school district. She had reported it in previous years. Was the error carelessness? Inattentive? Something else?

Her hearing is Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 9:30AM at the offices of the Ethics Commission, 201 Executive Center Drive, First Floor. The hearing is open to the public. If you are planning to attend, you might call the Commission the day before to confirm that it will still be held. Phone: 803.253.4192

As Secretary of the Board, her job isn't just to sit there and make Motions to go into Executive Session. Or ramble on and on with unnecessary thoughts or lengthy introductions of Inspirational Moments at board meetings (which aren't inspirational).

As Secretary, she ought to be familiar with board policies and certain laws, and she ought to be saying, "Whoa! We have a problem here!" Of course, she is part of the problem - she is not even a legal board member.

There is legislation pending that, when approved, will prevent a candidate for public office from filing, if s/he owes money to the Ethics Commission. If that passes in time, McKie won't be able to file for re-election, and one of The Core Four will bite the dust.