MILLER HEADS CVSC HOUSE HONOR ROLL

CONSERVATION VOTERS OF SOUTH CAROLINA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday,October 5, 2006

Conservation Voters of South Carolina, the nonpartisan political arm of South Carolina’s conservation community, has announced its endorsement of Rep. Vida Miller for re-election to the state House of Representatives in the November 7 election. Representative Miller has served the Georgetown and Charleston Counties of District 108 since 1997.

This announcement follows as a result of Conservation Voter’s rigorous and non-partisan evaluation process. House candidates were invited to participate in the endorsement process, which included written questionnaires and interviews. Ann Timberlake, Executive Director of CVSC, explained that “South Carolinians are concerned about health, safety and the stability of their neighborhoods. Rep. Miller has a consistent 100% conservation voting record and she understands the necessity of balancing growth with natural resource protection.”

Citizens consider out-of-control sprawl, traffic and loss of open space to be threats to the quality of life in South Carolina. Miller has opposed takings legislation which would be a misguided giveaway for big real estate developers by allowing them to sue when local ordinances diminish the value of their property. She believes that planning is an important government function which keeps neighborhoods from becoming more crowded, polluted and dangerous.

“I believe that communities should have the ability to adopt ordinances in order to preserve their unique character,” observed Miller “and I voted to let counties adopt greater setbacks for factory hog farms.“ Miller also voted against giving special concessions to the billboard industry.” When Governor Mark Sanford vetoed the billboard bill, later overridden, he explained that “I do not believe it is the role of the state Legislature to determine community standards from Columbia.”

Miller also supports continued funding of the recently established Conservation Bank, which maximizes public dollars for land protection through voluntary purchases or easements.
“South Carolinians want elected officials who are eager to demonstrate leadership that ensures a clean and healthy environment for future generations. Vida Miller is an effective advocate for the conservation agenda in the General Assembly,” remarked Jenks Mikell, CVSC President and Columbia businessman.

Conservation Voters of South Carolina is a non-partisan, non-profit organization governed by a volunteer board, which aims to inform voters about candidates’ positions on conservation issues. The CVSC Political Action Committee evaluates candidates, makes campaign contributions and works to help elect candidates who are committed to the protection of South Carolina’s natural resources. Information on other CVSC endorsements may be found at www.conservationvotersofsc.org.