Briefs

by John Temple Ligon

Selling Johns and buying a newspaper

Movie and music mogul David Geffen recently sold $425 million worth of paintings, to include S.C. native Jasper Johns’s False Start for $80 million, a record for a living artist. Geffen is rumored to be in the hunt for the Los Angeles Times.

Township down

Last week, Richland County Council heard arguments in favor of renovating the 1931 performing arts venue of the Township Auditorium for $12 million, all in county funds with no help from the city. Other than occasional paint, patch, and repair efforts over the past 75 years, to include recent new seats, the Township has experienced little in serious upgrades. Several years ago, a $30 million city/county plan was promoted by Marvin Chernoff and his former employee Kit Smith, a member of Richland County Council. Even at $12 million, the two are still on board at the Township auditorium, but they can’t generate much excitement in taking a Depression–era substandard auditorium and turning it into a renovated Depression-era substandard auditorium.

The advantages of an early presidential primary

More than a dozen presidential hopefuls this year have shelled out almost $600,000 to local political war chests in South Carolina. Alone, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York gave the S.C. Democrats $100,000. Senator John McCain of Arizona gave the S.C. Republicans $189,000; and Governor Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, $144,500.

Charlotte builds

A new 48–story Wachovia office building, half–occupied by the bank, is going up in downtown Charlotte next to a companion 42–story condominium tower. Both buildings are looming over a planned $127 million cultural complex composed of a new Mint Museum of Art, the Bechtler Art Museum, the Afro–American Cultural Center, and a 1,200–seat theater. Stores and restaurants are also planned, as is an underground 2,000–car garage.

Young and restless

According to a study released last month by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Charlotte’s ability to draw 25–34—year–olds with at least a four–year degree had the country’s second highest percentage increase between 1990 and 2000. Las Vegas was No. 1 at 105%, and Charlotte was No. 2 at 57%. As a share of the city’s overall population, the young and educated carried the highest percentage in Austin at 18.2%. Charlotte’s same demographic had the fifth highest with 16.6%.

S.C.’s jobless

The state’s unemployment rate for October was 6.6%, third highest in the country. Michigan’s was 6.9%, and Mississippi’s, 6.7%. The nation’s unemployment rate for October was 4.4%. Mark Vitner, senior economist for Wachovia Corp.’s Economics Group, as reported by The Greenville News, said S.C.’s jobless rate should be closer to 4.8%, based on a review of nonfarm employment growth and unemployment claims.

Staple diet

Moving back–office operations here from Massachusetts and Illinois this spring, Staples, the office supply store chain, should bring 250 financial services jobs to the greater Columbia area.

Smoking ban in Greenville attracts lawsuit

A group of restaurants and bars in Greenville have banded together in suing the city over its smoking ban to take effect January 1, 2007. The City of Greenville is pre–empting a state law, the Clean Indoor Air Act of 1990, according to the plaintiffs. Columbia passed a smoking ban recently, but there is no band of bars suing the city.

And more smoking bans

Lexington County Council plans to consider a county–wide smoking ban in public places in 2007. By then, as Lexington County refuses to participate in mass transit plans of any kind, at least the county council won’t have to ban smoking at bus stops. With no financial support from Lexington County, the CMRTA plans to cut Lexington County bus service, all three routes. There won’t be any bus stops.

SCAG McMaster says Morris violated bond

Former Lt. Gov. Earle Morris Jr. refinanced his house last year to borrow $550,000, partially to cover his tax bills. South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster says Morris violated his bond terms by taking out the loan without asking permission from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Morris’s bond keeps him out of prison while he appeals his securities fraud conviction.

Hurricanes

Next year’s Atlantic hurricane season should bring 14 named storms and seven hurricanes, according to Colorado State forecaster William Gray. The 2005 season had 28 named storms, to include 15 hurricanes. Katrina was a landfall hurricane in the 2005 season. There were only nine named storms in 2006 and five hurricanes. In 2006, no hurricanes hit the Atlantic coast.