Major Concerns for South Carolina State Senate Hopeful:
Andrew M. Jones

Addressing the Economy

The state of the economy is the number one concern on the minds of people all over America.  South Carolina is no exception and this is why the economy is one of the most important issues I plan to address if elected.  Its time for a change in South Carolina. It is time for aggressive leadership in our fair city.   It is time for a new senator to serve the people of district 7.  It is time for someone who is not afraid to challenge the status quo. 

Local transit systems across the state are somewhat limited in their ability to fully meet the transit needs of citizens. More and more people are using personal vehicles as their primary mean of transportation. It does not matter is you have a car or not, everyone is effected by the high cost of gasoline. The high cost of gasoline has a direct effect on the productivity of local business. Folks are actually not reporting to work because they can’t afford to put gas in their car to get there.  Not to mention the challenges local citizens with jobs in the transportation industry are facing.  It is abundantly clear to us that we have very little power over controlling the price of gasoline and an end to the increase in cost does not seem to be in the near future.  If elected I plan to introduce and support legislature that address the hardships many are facing as a result of the rising cost of fuel.  Initiatives centering around "Park and Ride" projects is one answer. If people are able to park their cars and share a ride via carpool, shuttles or city bus, gas usage will decrease and this will not only lead to cost savings for the consumer, but send a message to the fuel industry that enough is enough.  I will also challenge city officials to use some of its land for the development of parking lots that will be needed for "Park and Ride" projects. 

Park and Ride Projects are immediate solutions that offer some relief to consumers.   Long term solutions will require some research.   It was only a few years ago when Brazil was virtually bankrupt.  Finding a solution to high fuel cost is what helped to turn around their shrinking economy. They began to manufacture alternative fuel from the sugar cane.  Today the Brazilian economy is thriving and their currency is worth more than the U.S. dollar. More attention needs to be given alternative fuel in South Carolina. If elected I will support funding for alternative fuel research projects.    

   
                          Healthcare

 In order to improve the healthcare of our community we need to create innovative strategies for attracting health care professionals who are at the top of their field.   We face challenges in recruiting these professionals to this area because we lack hospitals and other research facilities that will aide them in treating and finding cures for illnesses.   For example; we are in desperate need of a child and adolescent mental health facility here in the upstate. Not only will this facility serve as a proactive vehicle for the reduction of mental illness among our adult population, the facility will also attract more top notch health care professionals.  Imagine the impact of such a research facility in the Greenville community. Unlike our sister cities, Charleston and Columbia, we lack medical universities with research facilities which is what enhances their ability to attract top notch health care professionals.  It is my goal to work on initiatives that will open doors for attracting the best personnel in the medical field.  

 When addressing healthcare issues, we so often look at issues involving physical health, not that they are not important, but we must recognize that there is a strong correlation between our physical health and our mental health.  Depression had been correlated with some major illness and well as several other mental disorders. Providing more services to mental health initiatives will certainly assist in the improving healthcare overall in our community.  If elected I plan to work on funding mental health initiatives that addresses child and adolescent services in the upstate.

As a Naval Intelligence Analyst for the United States Navy Reserve, I had the opportunity to use my skills in international studies and law to provide our Country with timely information on the activities of governments and leaders in various countries, including those in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Europe.   These are the skills that I will bring to the table. These are skills that will benefit the State of South Carolina especially during our current days of the Middle Eastern turmoil. I do have an answer for a 3:00 a.m. call. I have an answer like all Reservists, National Guard Officers and Enlisted Personnel, who have answers too.  We were trained to be ready and available. And my answer still is, “Yes sir, I’m ready”. And this is what I promise to you-my constituents - “To be ready and available.”

The Economy and Gang Violence

 Gang Violence is increasing and we have a serious problem with gangs in the State of South Carolina. The state of the economy is leading more and more of our youth toward gangs as a mean of financial support. Gangs are big money making institutions. They have become a danger to society and must be stopped. They can be stopped immediately if tougher penalties are applied at the first sign of gang activity. The first visible sign of gang activity is the graffiti on the walls. If the graffiti is destroyed within 24 hours, the gangs will have a lesser chance of recruiting within the targeted community. If elected to office, I plan to introduce bills that will give longer sentences for defaming property which is the first visual sign of a gang moving into a community. This will be a positive step in breaking down gangs in our community.

Leadership Development Greenville Growth

The faces of Greenville are not what they were twenty years ago. Just last year the greater Greenville area acquired over 10,000 new people as residents. These newcomers represented many different cultures and ethnic groups. We can no longer ignore the fact that we are a multicultural community in which greater efforts in soliciting opinions, gifts and other resources from the various ethnic communities represented is the key to making our community better. We’ve yet to adequately tap into the talents and resources of our ethnic population. These are residents who hold many innovative ideas and perspectives. A different perspective is what we need at the table to discuss different ways of improving the quality of life in our great community. If elected, I plan to work toward replacing vacant board and committee members with members reflective of our diverse community.

Join our campaign today!
Call (864)246-0194
Fax (864) 246-0172
Email: voteandrewmjones@bellsouth.net
Andrew Jones Campaign Headquarters
19  Harris Street
Greenville, SC 29601

VOTE FOR ANDREW M. JONES ON JUNE 10, 2008