Charleston Chronicle Exclusives
May 30 Riots Among Charleston’s Most Destructive – Future Riots Are Preventable, Says National Action Network’s Nelson Rivers
By Barney Blakeney Saturday, May 30 heralded perhaps the most destructive rioting in Charleston history since the deadly downtown riot of 1934. Throngs of protesters raged onto downtown Charleston streets after hundreds of protesters responding to the May 25 police murder of George Floyd conducted an early afternoon peaceful assembly originating at Marion Square. By…
Read MoreGilliard Will Use Fifth Term to Continue Work Already Started
By Barney Blakeney After serving four terms in the office, Charleston House Dist. 111 Rep. Wendell Gilliard is seeking a fifth term to continue the work he has engaged addressing Affordable Housing; Criminal Justice Reform; Economic Justice and Opportunity for Women; Education; Healthcare; and Homelessness. He is a candidate for election…
Read MoreShoe Repair Shop Owner Calm After Calamity Caused By Rambunctious Rioters
By Barney Blakeney In business nearly 50 years and located at 536 King St. most of those years, Reeves and Son Shoe Repair operated by Mrs. Doris Dixon never experienced the vandalism her business suffered after the May 30 riot in downtown Charleston. Broken glass surrounding an overturned flower pot littered the front of the…
Read MoreThe Enigmatic Joseph Floyd Manor, Home To Plagues and Plays
By Barney Blakeney Local elected officials in the past two weeks again have addressed ongoing issues about living conditions at Charleston County’s only rental apartment complex, Joseph Floyd Manor. Residents for years have complained that the building was poorly maintained and issues of pest infestations and illegal activities prevailed. Joseph Floyd Manor is a retirement home in the…
Read MoreWilder Brings Lessons of Self-Reliance, Ability, Honesty and Integrity to Dist. 109 House Race
By Barney Blakeney When you meet, Jeff Wilder his energy, ability and confidence are immediately apparent. They are characteristics he’s developed over a lifetime confronting issues head on – characteristics that have served him well as a husband, father, businessman and public servant. And they are characteristics that will serve S.C. House District 109 well…
Read MoreRep. Moore: “We Are In The Valley”
By SC House District 15 Rep. JA Moore The recent murders of Breonna Taylor in Kentucky, Ahmad Aubrey in Georgia, and George Floyd in Minneapolis bring back the trauma of Walter Scott being murdered right here in North Charleston. Unequivocally, these events have shaken our community to its core. I still carry the pain of…
Read MoreMail-In Ballots An Alternative To Standing In Voting Lines
By Barney Blakeney As the June 9 primary elections draw nearer, the importance of absentee voting in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic becomes more apparent. Even more important will be absentee voting, especially by mail, in the November 3 general election. Individuals and organizations are gearing up to tackle the challenge. June 9 Charleston…
Read MoreCCSD Board Member Todd Garrett On Student Learning and District Finances Amid The Corona Shutdown
By Barney Blakeney Recently I reached out to Charleston County School Board member Todd Garrett as many are doing amid the coronavirus pandemic shutdown. His response was indicative of what many families are experiencing. But moreover, Garrett’s response alluded to challenges many other families face. Additionally, Garrett shared some information about the financial status of…
Read MoreJune 9 Democratic Primary Candidate Kylon Middleton Will Bring Moral Compass To Charleston County Council
By Barney Blakeney Excelling to greater heights has been a life model for Dr. Kylon Middleton. He attended Charleston County public schools and graduated from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Communications at the age of 18. He received graduate and advanced degrees from: Lutheran Theological Southern…
Read MoreMarvin Pendarvis: SC House Rep To Take Charge As He Seeks Third Term
By Barney Blakeney S.C. House Dist. 113 incumbent Rep. Marvin Pendarvis has been busy during his first two terms in office. As the state wreaths in the grasp of the coronavirus pandemic, Pendarvis has maintained a focus on addressing constituent concerns in that regard and a keen eye on other issues of equal importance. He…
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