Miss SC, organization apologize for introduction
The Miss South Carolina Organization and Miss South Carolina Brooke Mosteller issued an apology Wednesday for the line Mosteller used introducing South Carolina at the Miss America pageant.
The USC School of Law student introduced the state as a place where “20 percent of our homes are mobile, because that’s how we roll.”
Some South Carolina residents expressed offense to the quip on Twitter, while others found it humorous. Mosteller said she and the organization decided on the line collectively as an attempt at humor and creativity.
Mosteller failed to place in the top 15 contestants at the Sunday night finals, but raised more than $80,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network during her reign and was named Miss Congeniality at Miss America, tying for the title with Miss Utah.
Mosteller will return to law school next year with more than $33,000 in scholarships from the Miss South Carolina and Miss America organizations.
City Council votes for Dec. 3 strong mayor referendum
Columbia City Council has voted to send the strong mayor petition to a referendum on Dec. 3, nearly a month after the Nov. 5 mayoral election, The State reported.
The petition, which would expand the powers of the city’s mayor, had more than 12,000 signatures when it was submitted to the Richland County Elections Commission.
Council members Sam Davis, Tameika Isaac Devine, Leona Plaugh and Moe Baddourah, who is also running for mayor, voted for the later referendum. Mayor Steve Benjamin and Councilmen Cameron Runyan and Brian DeQuincey Newman voted for the referendum to be held on election day in November. Benjamin is also running for re-election.
Council members continue to debate on how a strong mayor system would work instead of the current council-mayor position, which, essentially, makes the mayor a glorified council member whose vote holds no extra weight.
3 men found guilty in gambling operation scheme
An Irmo bookie was found guilty of running an illegal gambling operation Wednesday, as were his father and business associate, The State reported.
Brett Parker, Jack Parker and Douglas E. Taylor face up to five years in prison and fines as a result of the conviction. They will be sentenced in three months.
Jack Parker will also give up a $67,300 certificate of deposit account in order to keep his Lake Murray home. He would have lost both if he had not agreed to a deal.
The trial resulted from the murder of Brett Parker’s wife, Tammy Jo Parker, and sports betting clerk, Bryan Capnerhurst. Brett Parker was found guilty of the two murders and is currently serving a life sentence without parole.
The main dispute in the case was whether a fifth person was involved in the operation, which would constitute a federal gambling crime. The defense said their clients and Capnerhurst were bookies, but that there was no fifth person.