Letter: In response to Councilman Baten, the other side of the coin

County councilman and former chair Eugene Baten seems to think that "Chairman McCain's election is not in the best interest of the Democratic Party." I respectfully disagree. Democrats occupy all of the partisan offices in the county save for four: three county council seats and one state representative. Only two Republicans, veteran Councilman Charles Edens and I, have served as chairman since 1984 when council members were first elected from seven single-member districts rather than at-large. Democrats are firmly in control of Sumter County government!

In January 1995, I was faced with a bipartisan opportunity when Republicans held four of the seven seats on council. Personally, I believed that electing a Black vice chair would be good for Sumter County and good for the Sumter County Republican Party. I thought, "When Democrats resume control of council, perhaps they would allow one of us (white Republicans) to serve as vice chair. A tradition of bipartisanism and, in 1995, biracial leadership could be established."

My idea was met, understandably, with lukewarm feelings by my three Republican colleagues. They told me, "Call the state GOP and see what they think." I called Henry McMaster, who was head of the S.C. Republican Party. Henry told me, "Chuck, our purpose is to elect Republicans to office. You have a nice idea, but ask yourself, 'Did the Democrats ever pick a Republican to be Sumter County Council's vice chairman? What do we owe them?'"

Long story short, I "passed" on the opportunity. I was running a business and was slated to be president of the Sumter Rotary Club and also chair of the Chamber of Commerce. I didn't need the hassle of being dubbed (again) a "R.I.N.O." (Republican In Name Only). I was loyal to my political party.

But James T. McCain Jr., faced with the same circumstances, made a different and courageous decision: to create bipartisan and biracial leadership of council. McCain, a retired UPS executive, has provided enthusiastic and inspired leadership for county council. He treats it as a full-time job. He is an excellent leader!

Former Council Chair Judge Ruben L. Gray, the first Black chairman of council, told his six colleagues in 1989, "Gentlemen, remember that just as there are two sides to a coin, there are at least two sides to every issue we face." Judge Gray's words were instructive to me. And as it relates to Mr. Baten's letter, Item readers can now see "two sides of the coin."

CHUCK FIENNING

Past Sumter County Council chairman

Sumter