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BLOGGER PAID TO SELL OUT STATE PORTS AUTHORITY
Have you noticed? Lately, our friend Will Folks at FITSNews has been savagely attacking the South Carolina State Ports Authority. He’s also been heaping extravagant praise on Sen. Tom Davis of Beaufort. Have you wondered why?
Well, the evidence is clear. Sources reveal that Davis and a number of other candidates and causes apparently gain their love from Folks — or, as he fancies himself, “Sic Willie” — by forking over cash.
Records show, for example, that Davis was listed as the “registered agent” for Folks’ consulting firm, ViewPolitick, LLC.
Clearly, Davis has been getting his money’s worth.
Folks has written 66 over-the-top posts showing nothing but love for the Beaufort senator, including such “objective” headings as “Tom Davis Is Rocky Balboa,” and “Give ‘Em Hell, Tom Davis,” and “Tom Davis, Baby.”
When Davis began his mysterious mission to sell one of our state’s greatest economic assets, the State Ports Authority, to a unionized, international shipping company, Folks began bashing the countless individuals who opposed the idea.
Many of the state’s most respected business leaders agree that selling the ports would be a huge mistake. In a recent guest editorial, former State Secretary of Commerce Bob Royall outlined the importance of SPA’s time-tested public-private operating model to rebuilding South Carolina’s failing economy.
But the facts haven’t stopped Davis and Folks from pursuing their cause. And to truly understand why the pair are connected in defending such a flawed idea, a little history is needed.
Once upon a time, Davis was Gov. Mark Sanford’s chief of staff. He resigned that post to take an appointment to the SPA Board.
At that post, he worked tirelessly to persuade the other board members to sell the port. When he failed, he resigned from the SPA Board and ran for the State Senate.
And can you guess the subject of his first major legislative proposal? A Senate bill seeking to force South Carolina to sell its ports.
No one is quite sure why Davis is so obsessed with turning over the keys to our ports to a unionized company. He’s a smart guy, and he must know that the arguments he has presented are full of holes and factual errors.
And that’s where Folks comes in.
Since Davis’ election, Folks has devoted post after post on FITSNews to attacking the SPA and promoting Davis’ legislation to abolish the board, make the authority a cabinet agency, empower the governor to hire the ports director, and “privatize” the operation of the state’s ports facilities.
What Folks and Davis don’t say is that the ports are already “privatized.”
They are run like any other private business by a board of respected business leaders making decisions to serve its shareholders. In this case, the shareholders are the people of South Carolina.
From its founding in the 1940s, the SPA has been operated as a public-private partnership and has served as a model for other states to follow.
Davis’ proposed legislation would result in the politicization, not the privatization, of our ports. He would leave all ports-related decisions in the hands of one politician (the governor) who serves only four years at a time.
The resulting instability and partisanship would have a devastating impact on our state’s economic future.
So, those who are looking for the truth should beware of what they read about the SPA on “Sic Willie’s” blog. What we have here is a case of blogging for the highest bidder. Sadly, that bidder would take one of South Carolina most valuable assets away from the people of the state and hand it over to a single elected official.
As for the “other candidates” paying Folks? More to come on that…
As an aside Folks frequently points out that I am employed by a business owned by Richard and Rick Quinn, who also provide consulting services to political and corporate clients. But there’s a difference: I am not paid to blog, it’s something I do on my own time.
Its fairly evident why you dont get paid.
It would seem that someone did not actually quit working for the Governor, maybe that is why we see him smoking and coking with fat boy so often at the state house?
Will Folks getting paid for blog posts is the worst kept secret in SC politics
So whom else is paying Will Folks, and more importantly for what? And what is with this obsession by a few over the SPA? Please tell the slow zebra…
old news McFogle but needed to be said.
sick willie is a hack.
All him being the registered agent means is that he was the attorney who Folks paid to file the incorporation papers.
Thanks for bringing this to light. I am so tired of Will Folks and his lies. It’s time for him to go far far away.
And you don’t get paid?
Oh yeah, you do it on your own time. My question is whether or not Ricky knows you’re blogging during the workday when you should be doing whatever it is they pay you to do.
You all see $ic turd’s response? http://www.fitsnews.com/2009/03/10/scoop-slams-sic/
“We’re don’t mind being attacked – but we’d prefer if it came from somebody who had a leg to stand on (ba-doom-ching).”
I think Fogle should do a “greatest HITS” post on $ic turd (ba-doom-ching).
I have personally heard a principal from RQA discuss directing Adam to blog about a particular client. When Adam managed to screw up such an easy task, the same principal offered to have Adam change the blog entry.
Say what you want about FITS, but anyone that thinks TPS is anything other than an in-house blog for the Quinns is literally retarded. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that (being an in-house blog, at least), but don’t waste everybody’s time trying to disclaim it.
I wanted to address your substantive points on the SPA in this comment, but they’re so stupid that I’ll have to do so separately.
I thought this was checkmate on Will Folks, but the ending has me curious. Who else is paying him?
Hercules,
Please do address the substantive points I’ve made in the post. I more than welcome the debate.
While the Will Folks-Tom Davis connection was important in showing the lengths some legislators will go to get something done, it was just as important to show that they are wrong on substance.
Obviously I was only able to skim the surface of the argument with this post. But please feel free to point out why the Folks-Davis plan is a good thing and I’ll counter it with the facts.
- A.F.
Will Folks is a fraud a pervert and the biggest pariah in this state. Hell get his some day. Maybe this was it.
Adam did a good thing today. Say what you want about his connections and his job but he’s the only one with the balls to stand up to this thug. My hat is off to him for doing a great service for humanity, for helping prove that Folks and his friends are dirtbags.
Good job on your post adam. Funny to see him yell when you pop him on this….He’s been saying rough stuff about you for weeks. Like to see you give it back. I hope you keep them coming…
I don’t like all this mud slinging…no matter who starts it. Most of you guys are conservatives, as am I…and we had better be looking over our shoulders as te dems are gaining on us.
Tom
not sure the fires of hell are hot enough for sick twisted willie folks
Don’t turn your back on Tom Davis and crony Govendevelopnor Sanfraud.
Those two are selling South Carolina down the river.
Wait! … I hear the cash register ringing …yep, I think another angel just earned its wings.
Senator Jake Knotts rips Gov. Mark Sanford on ESC
http://www.wolfereports.com/?p=715&cpage=1#comment-335
THIS IS AMAZING!
Mark Sanford avoiding the topic of illegal immigration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHJohB8htGk
Hey Hoveround, In most cases you suck, In this one you don’t. Let me know if Will cries like a girly man when you roll over his nuts.
Maybe someone should question Fogle and his new found ties to Beltram?
A long blog post that is short on any evidence to back up the assertions. If all you’ve got is that Will paid Tom Davis to register his incorporation documents, you’ve got a whole lot of nothing.
All I can figure is that Tom Davis is showing up remarkably strong in Richard’s polls of the Gov race.
This story is so old, it practically has wrinkles. What are you, reading everything published over a year ago and rehashing it?
Awesome. I always wondered why “Sic Willie” always seems to have a fresh shot of Tom’s demon seed on his upper lip. Now I know..
Wes quit promoting your crappy blog and go blow your boyfriend
Governor Mark Sanford owned 7.03% of WILSON BROTHERS USA, INC.
**********************************************************
WILSON BROTHERS USA, INC.
24 Gadsden Street, Suite C
Charleston, SC 29401
John H. Sanford
Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer
May 7, 2004
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following table sets forth certain information as of April 19, 2004 regarding shares of the Company’s Common Stock beneficially owned by:
Name and Address (1) Amount of
Of Beneficial Owner Beneficial Ownership Percent(2)
——————- ———————- ——-
John H. Sanford (3) 5,210,702 52.00%
Brett R. Smith 103,455 1.03%
Michael E. Hicks 82,500 *
David N. Stedman 72,500 *
Peter T. Valinski 1,000 *
Frank J. Zanin, Jr. 77,500 *
All Directors and 5,480,157 54.68%
Executive Officers
(six persons) (4)
The following table sets forth certain information as of April 19, 2004 regarding any person who is known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the Company’s Common Stock (other than directors and executive officers shown in the preceding table).
Name and Address Amount of
of Beneficial Owner Beneficial Ownership Percent of Class
——————- ———————- ——————
Walter P. Carucci 1,498,267 14.95%
c/o Carr Securities
Corp. (1)
14 Vanderventer Avenue,
Pt. Washington, NY 11050
Carucci Family Partners 724,968 7.23%
c/o Carr Securities
Corp. (1)
14 Vanderventer Avenue,
Pt. Washington, NY 11050
Marshall C. Sanford, Jr. 704,807 7.03%
Governor’s Mansion
800 Richland Street
Columbia, SC 29201 (2)
*********************************************************************
http://esignal.brand.edgar-online.com/EFX_dll/EDGARpro.dll?FetchFilingHTML1?SessionID=1uQrWLEuuiYJNeB&ID=2917810&AnchorName=HH_&AnchorDistance=0&BeginHTML=%3Cb%3E%3Cfont+color%3D%22%23cc0000%22%3E&EndHTML=%3C%2Ffont%3E%3C%2Fb%3E&SearchText=%3CNEAR%2F4%3E(%22WALTER+P%22%2C%22CARUCCI%22)
*******************************************************************************************************************
http://www.wolfereports.com/?p=715&cpage=1#comment-335
Sanford ESI, LLC and Big Tree Road, LLC
“John Sanford owns 23.5% of Sanford ESI, LLC and family members of Mr. Sanford own the balance. Mr. Sanford also owns 31.0% of Big Tree Road, LLC, and the family members of Mr. Sanford own the remainder”.
**********************************************************************
Certain Transactions
On February 24, 2000, the Company borrowed $130,000 from Margaret S. Peyton, Mr. John H. Sanford’s mother, in order to purchase equipment for Numo. In connection with the loan, the Company issued Mrs. Peyton warrants to purchase 7,500 shares of common stock of the Company for $0.25 per share. The loan and the issuance of the warrants were approved by the board of directors and the loan was paid in full in 2000. On February 20, 2003, Mrs. Peyton exercised the warrants and the Company issued 7,500 shares of the Company’s common stock to her in March of 2003.
On March 1, 2001, the Company secured a $300,000 line of credit from members of Mr. Sanford’s family, to provide working capital for Numo. The annual interest rate on the line is 11% and the line of credit has an eight- month term. The Company paid a $12,500 origination fee upon maturity of the line of credit. The line of credit was secured by Mr. Sanford’s personal assets. On September 28, 2001, the line of credit was extended for six months and again on February 15, 2002 for an additional six months. On April 5, 2002, the line of credit was paid in full.
On January 19, 2001, Brett R. Smith, a director of the Company, purchased, for a purchase price of $50,000, 45,455 shares of the 341,183 shares of Common Stock sold in connection with the Common Stock offering to partially finance the purchase of a 17.04% interest in Employment Solutions, LLC (”ES”). To finance the remaining portion of the purchase, the Company borrowed $569,000 from Sanford ESI, LLC at prime plus 1% for 6 months. The loan is secured by Mr. Sanford’s personal assets. On June 20, 2001 the loan was extended for an additional six months at prime plus 3%. A $1,000 fee was paid on each of November 18, 2001, December 18, 2001, and January 18, 2002. On November 10, 2001 the loan from Sanford ESI, LLC was assigned to Big Tree Road, LLC, a Sanford family partnership. On each of July 1, 2002 and January 6, 2003 the loan was extended for an additional six months at prime plus 4%. To partially finance the repayment of the loan, the Company raised $100,000 in a private placement of convertible promissory notes and used such proceeds to pay down the amounts owed to Big Tree Road, LLC, formerly Sanford ESI,LLC.
On October 5, 2001 the principal amount of those convertible promissory notes and $2,496 in accrued interest was converted into 93,178 shares of Common Stock at $1.10 per share. John Sanford owns 23.5% of Sanford ESI, LLC and family members of Mr. Sanford own the balance. Mr. Sanford also owns 31.0% of Big Tree Road, LLC, and the family members of Mr. Sanford own the remainder.
**********************************************************************
http://esignal.brand.edgar-online.com/EFX_dll/EDGARpro.dll?FetchFilingHTML1?SessionID=1uQrWLEuuiYJNeB&ID=2917810&AnchorName=HH_&AnchorDistance=0&BeginHTML=%3Cb%3E%3Cfont+color%3D%22%23cc0000%22%3E&EndHTML=%3C%2Ffont%3E%3C%2Fb%3E&SearchText=%3CNEAR%2F4%3E(%22WALTER+P%22%2C%22CARUCCI%22)
If a tree falls in the forest…
I always knew Will was a male prostitute!
Did anyone else look at the comment times on Dick Wilie’s reply post written here: http://www.fitsnews.com/2009/03/10/scoop-slams-sic/#comments?
Notice how there are 3 comments from 4:52 to 5:08. Then nothing until 6:42. Then all of a sudden 7 comments blasting Fogle and praiseing FITS from 6:42 to 7:27.
If hes going to comment multiple times with fake names on his blog he should at least try a little harder to cover it up.
If you blog on your own time, then why are most of your blog post published and time stamped during normal working hours between 9AM and 5PM? Including this one that was published at 12:04 PM.
Either you are a really slack employee or you are getting paid to blog.
TMT – It’s a 24/7 world. Who said I work 9-5?
I live in Davis’s district and I would prefer my State Senator spend more time doing his job than trying to pay off opinion shapers.
If he spent more time listening to his consituents he wouldn’t need to hand over cash to this other clown.
The Governor’s little brother is having a hard time showing up for court
John Sanford is a no show for Court in Beaufort, SC
Sanford, John Hanes
507 North St
Beaufort SC 29902-4770
White M 03/08/1966
Defendant
Arrest Date: 12/12/2008
CHARGES:
- Traffic / No proof of insurance
Disposition: TIA Guilty Bench Trial
TIA – TRIED-IN-ABSENCE
ACTIONS:
Criminal/Traffic Court Event 01/22/2009
Continued Filing 01/22/2009
Criminal/Traffic Rescheduled Event 02/19/2009
FAILURE TO COMPLY Filing 02/19/2009 12:00 AM
Bench Warrant / Arrest Warrant Recalled Filing
SENTENCING:
Fine/Jail Time 30 Days Jail from 02/19/2009 to 03/21/2009
Arrest Date: 12/12/2008
CHARGES:
- Traffic / Expired vehicle license
Disposition Date: 02/19/2009
Disposition: TIA (TRIED IN ABSENCE) -Guilty Bench Trial
SENTENCING:
Fine 237.50 Amount 02/19/2009
STATUS:
“Ishmel Order” Filing 02/19/2009
***********************************************************************
Sanford, John – Defendant
Numo Manufacturing Inc, – Defendant
Court Agency: Beaufort County Common Pleas
Disposition Date 08/13/2008
Case Sub Type: Foreign Judgment 710
FOR: Shamrock Cake Company,
AGAINST: Sanford, John
Judgment Amount Amount: $171,018.47
*************************************************************************************
http://www.beaufortcourt.org
Wow…whats up with John Sanford. I know nothing about him…he looks a bit sketchy…
Is that business he runs from Gadsden St in Chas successful? How big is it?
Adam – don’t you think you’re the kettle calling the pot black?
We know Will makes his living in politics, and so do you, so please spare us the bs, ok?
You’re not telling us anything we don’t already know, except to show us that you might be more of a hypocrite about it.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Company of Sanford’s brother hits hard times
COLUMBIA – Gov. Mark Sanford’s youngest brother has risked his share of Sanford family land in Beaufort County on a company that makes novelty items such as insulated foam holders that keep soft drinks chilled.
He also has left shareholders out in the cold, failing to file financial reports the Securities and Exchange Commission requires since 2004.
The company, Wilson Brothers USA Inc. out of Kaufman, Texas, has struggled to pay loans backed by John Sanford’s share of his family land as he has tried to salvage the company and expand it into new ventures, including temporary staffing and Internet-based building supply sales.
John Sanford owns 52 percent of Wilson Brothers. Earlier this month, Mark Sanford mentioned his brother’s success in business at a meeting of the state chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Augusta.
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/102206/met_101506.shtml
******************************************************************************************************
Sanford fails to file financials with SEC since 2004
Governor Mark Sanford is a large shareholder in this company.
October 21, 2006
John Sanford owns 52 percent of Wilson Brothers. The governor owns a 7 percent slice of the company and says his brother is a “good bet.” But the governor says his brother is taking a big chance with the company.
FULL STORY
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5570936
If I’m a shareholder of the SC Ports Authority I certainly have not received a dividend. Really, some of you people should actually work outside of politics for awhile.