Journal of the House of Representatives
of the Second Session of the 110th General Assembly
of the State of South Carolina
being the Regular Session Beginning Tuesday, January 11, 1994

Page Finder Index

| Printed Page 2570, Feb. 24 | Printed Page 2590, Feb. 24 |

Printed Page 2580 . . . . . Thursday, February 24, 1994

Q. Would you -- do you have any business employment at this time? Are you employed?
A. No, sir. I'm the mayor of Greenwood, South Carolina and that term will end in April and I've been retired from the Air Force and also Abney Mills as a aviator and chief pilot.
Q. So the last employment you had was in 1979 other than as mayor and you worked for the Abney Mills there in Greenwood as a pilot; is that correct?
A. Oh, no. I worked for the Midland Ross Grimes Aviation Light factory in Greenwood for two and a half years as chief inspector and set up that department and ran it for two and a half years.
Q. And then you were in real estate?
A. Then I sold real estate. And then I also taught at Piedmont Tech part time.
Q. Would you have any other employment other than serving on the Public Service Commission if you were to be elected?
A. No, sir. I can give full time to it. And incidentally I've been mayor for eight years and I've only missed one council meeting and I was in London and it was a little far to commute, so I didn't make that one. Other than that, I made them all.
Q. You mentioned that balancing act that has to be done between industry and consumers. Often times there is a
-- one or two other things that have to be considered and one of the more recent concerns in the last 20 years has been the environment. How would you consider environmental issues as a member of the Public Service Commission?
A. Well, I think that environmental issues are very important because if we destroy our environment then we're all going to suffer. And I think that one of the things that we have to be concerned with is whether or not the equipment -- particularly the equipment that the buses and those people are operating would be environmentally safe.

And now as the -- I believe the nuclear facilities are controlled by a higher authority than the Public Service Commission, but I think it's very important and there again you've got a balancing act, but you sure don't want to destroy your environment while you're doing that balancing act.
Q. Should consumers be prepared to pay extra for electrical power if that extra power would go to make the production of the power environmentally safe?
A. That's a tough question I think. But if that's the only source of revenue and you have to do that, I don't see that you have a choice, but I think you have to look at it very closely because consumers only pay so


Printed Page 2581 . . . . . Thursday, February 24, 1994

-- you know, a reasonable amount. But that would be a difficult one that you'd have to balance out, but it's kind of like being the mayor.

If you increase services and you have to raise taxes to do that, then that's a tough decision that you're elected to do. And in my particular situation as mayor of Greenwood, for the last four years, we haven't raised taxes and we have not borrowed any money and we don't owe any monetary indebtedness, so I think I've had some experience in trying to balance that balancing act I'm talking about.

I think the efficiency and the management of a situation is one of the things that you have to look at. And if you don't have good management, and there has been a lot of restructuring done in a lot of industry and I suppose it's also being done in the areas that the Public Service Commission would control, but I think that would be one area that you would have to look at, if you don't have good management and really do an efficient job there, then you're in trouble. I wouldn't say no.
Q. Right. I understand.
A. In other words, I think you'd be less than smart if you said no, I wouldn't do this or I wouldn't do that because the circumstances might dictate that you have to do it.
Q. Mr. Nave, you have cable television service there in the City of Greenwood, I believe?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. You have a franchise ordinance that governs the provision of that?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Have ya'll had any problems insuring that that service is distributed to all parts of your community?
A. No, sir. And we're also in the process of passing the necessary ordinances to control that in the future in accordance with this new law that came down from Washington.
Q. So you're in the process of renegotiating your franchise?
A. No, no. The franchise it's -- I think they got a 10-year franchise and we can't do anything until that runs out. But we're now in the process of reviewing that. Incidentally, that's an area which I think is going to come up.

We have to communicate with attorneys in California to get any answer to any questions and then we can't find out anything from the local. And our city manager has spent a good bit of time on the telephone and down here in Columbia in determining what would be done and what we should do. But we will have -- the city will have to control their -- that. The only thing that we control in the city is the taxicab.


Printed Page 2582 . . . . . Thursday, February 24, 1994

Q. But in terms of the provision of cable service, have you had many complaints from any segments of your population that they're not adequately served in terms of --
A. Very little.
Q. -- lines being run to their homes or whatever?
A. No, within the city limits itself, we've had very little problem with that. We had the competitive service that came into being and we gave them a franchise also about four years ago and they did a good job, but then naturally they sold out and took their money and walked.

But the service has been very good and we've had a little complaint about the increase in cost, but if you compared that with other cities of comparable size, we weren't in any real trouble. We couldn't do anything about it until recently anyway.
Q. And, finally, Mr. Nave, how many employees does the City of Greenwood employ?
A. About 180.
Q. And you've been mayor for how many years?
A. I'm in my 12th year and it will be 12 and a half when -- if I make it to April.
Q. What type of program do you have for minority hiring and in particular for hiring folks that would be in positions of policy setting?
A. Well, I'm glad you asked that question because before I ran in '86, I was called into a group of ministers and asked what my attitudes were toward minorities and it hasn't changed. My attitude is that you hire the most qualified person provided you are in reasonable amount of balance as far as your concern.

If I had two people and they were the same qualifications and I was out of balance, then I would obviously take the minority. To show that that -- and I can't take a whole lot of credit for this. The City manager hires and fires everybody except the City Attorney and the City Judge and himself.

And in the six years that I've been there, we've increased the number of minorities to 13 in the Police Department out of 50. We've got 10 in the Fire Department out of 47. We have an administrative assistant that is a minority. We have an assistant chief of police is a minority. We have the court administrator is a minority. And he has three people working for him and I kid him, I say we've got to integrate that place, we've got -- the whole department is black.

So that's my philosophy and I think because of that philosophy, it has worked in our community and the reason I feel that way about it, if you would give someone a job because of whatever reason and they're not


Printed Page 2583 . . . . . Thursday, February 24, 1994

qualified and they're identified with some group, it's a reflection on the individual and going to create a problem as far as in your management. And it's also a reflection on them as -- and the group that they represent. So my philosophy is we need to educate, qualify and then as far as possible, hire them.
Q. Thank you, Mr. Nave.
REPRESENTATIVE WILKES: Thank you. Do any of the members of the committee have some questions for the candidate Mr. Nave?
SENATOR COURTNEY: Just one.
REPRESENTATIVE WILKES: Senator Courtney.
EXAMINATION BY REPRESENTATIVE WILKES:
Q. Mr. Nave, you say that you taught at Greenville Tech for some period of time?
A. Greenwood.
Q. Greenwood. I'm sorry. Greenwood.
A. Piedmont, they call it.
Q. What subject did you teach there?
A. Blueprint Reading for Welders.
Q. Okay. Thank you?
A. And that was an interesting experience. We had the students that range from 6th grade education to one year in college and trying to teach them the same subject, that will get your attention.
EXAMINATION BY REPRESENTATIVE WILKES:
Q. Mr. Nave, I have one question I'd like to draw on your experience as a mayor and, obviously, having been involved in, it looks like a lot of the planning in Greenwood County. Greenwood County has some urban areas and a lot of rural areas as well. How do you propose that we get infrastructure into the rural areas, so that we can get jobs to the folks that are living in the rural areas?

It seems that most of the development has been concentrated in urban areas and a major concern of a lot of folks out in the country is that there is -- they can't get jobs because no industry will locate because there is no water, sewer, gas and electricity?
A. Well, I think I addressed a few minutes ago the fact that the city council does not control the utilities.
Q. Yes, sir.
A. And that's both been a blessing and a curse. The curse part is we can't annex, so that our population has decrease by 800 in the last ten years, but the utilities which is owned by the city residents serves about 80 percent of the population.


Printed Page 2584 . . . . . Thursday, February 24, 1994

In fact, in 1958 when industrial development was a prime subject in our community, the community leaders got together and said we've got to establish some industrial strip and that industrial strip is out toward Lake Greenwood. In the process of doing that, they assured that they had infrastructure that you're talking about, water and sewage treatment, gas and electricity.

Now, the City of Greenwood owns their electricity and I would think that's a problem that you're talking about, but you've got to have water and sewerage or you're not going to attract any industry. And we've done very well in Greenwood. In fact, I think we may very well lead the state.

We were fortunate in that we don't have a lot of special service districts in that regard and at the present time, there is movement afoot in Greenwood of which I've had something to do with to combine the City and County government under the Act that was past by the General Assembly about two years or something like that.

We've got more combined services I think in Greenwood County than any other county in the state and I think that's a key thing.
Q. Thank you, Mr. Nave.
REPRESENTATIVE WILKES: If there are no other questions, you may be excused. Thank you so much for your appearance before the committee today.
A. Thank you, sir. I appreciate it.

PERSONAL DATA QUESTIONNAIRE SUMMARY

1. John Thomas Nave

Home Address: Business Address:

606 Brooklane Drive P.O. Box 40

Greenwood, SC 29649 Greenwood, SC 29648

2. He was born in Mountain City, Tennessee on September 18, 1921.

Social Security Number: ***-**-****.

3. S.C. Driver's License Number: *********.

S.C. Voter Registration Number: 0 514 868.

4. He was married to Ella Erminie McKnight Nave on March 17, 1951. He has 3 children: Thomas B. Nave, age 41 (design and home construction); Kathy Lynn Nave Felder, age 38 (bank marketing); and Debbie Nave Jobe, age 37 (housewife and mother).


Printed Page 2585 . . . . . Thursday, February 24, 1994

5. Military Service: He served in the U.S. Air Corps from April 5, 1943 to March 6, 1946; the U.S. Air Force from October 28, 1947 to April 11, 1955; and the U.S. Air Force Reserves from April 1955 to August 1968. He retired in 1981 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Serial #AO-833188.

6. He attended Johnson County High School (Mountain City, TN) from 1936 to 1940 and East Tennessee State College (Johnson City, TN) from 1940 to 1942, when he left to study engineering. He attended the University of Tennessee (Knoxville, TN) from 1942 to 1943, when he left to enter Aviation Cadet Training. He was a 2nd Lieutenant Commission and Pilot Wings Aviation Cadet from 1943 to 1944. He attended East Tennessee State University from 1946 to 1947 and received a B.S. in Industrial Arts Education. He attended North Carolina State University from 1947 to 1953 and received a Master of Science Degree in Industrial Arts Education.

7. He was Mayor of Greenwood from 1967 to 1971 (two 2-year terms) and from 1986 to the present (two 4-year terms, expiring in April 1994). He has been appointed to: Greenwood County Airport Commission (1963-1966); Greenwood County Planning & Zoning Commission (1976-1979); and Chairman, Greenwood Area Transportation Study Commission (1986-present).

8. In 1982, he ran unsuccessfully as a Republican against a Democratic incumbent who held S.C. House District 14 and had been uncontested for many years.

9. He was Chief Pilot at Abney Mills in Greenwood from January 1956 to November 1979. He was responsible for the purchase and maintenance of aircraft; hiring and training other pilots; and preparing and submitting the budget for the Aviation Department, which was terminated in 1979.

He was a pilot for Spartan Mills in Spartanburg from December 1979 to June 1981; Chief Inspector for Midland Ross Grimes in Greenwood from 1981 to 1982; in real estate sales from 1982 to 1986; and owner/manager of an Avis Rent-a-Car franchise from 1960 to 1977.


Printed Page 2586 . . . . . Thursday, February 24, 1994

19. He was with the U.S. Air Force from April 1943 to February 1946 and November 1947 to June 1955. He was an Aviation Cadet, aircraft commander, and AFROTC instructor. He was an Industrial Arts teacher at Shelby High School from May 1955 to June 1956; a reserve USAF pilot from June 1955 to June 1968; Mayor of Greenwood from April 1967 to November 1971 and April 1986 to the present; and a part-time instructor at Piedmont Technical College from January 1986 through June 1986.

26. Professional organizations: Vice-President and Chairman of Federal Legislative Committee, S.C. Municipal Association (1968).

27. Civic, charitable, etc. organizations: Committee Chairman, Lions Club; Commander for 2 consecutive terms, American Legion Post 20; Chairman of Education, Aviation, and Airports Committees, Chamber of Commerce; School Improvement Council, Central School (alternative school) for 6 years; Industrial Development Committee (Ex-officio) for 8 years; Upper Savannah COG Board for 8 years; Pack Leader for Cub Scouts for 2 years; and First Presbyterian Church Deacon, Elder, teacher, youth advisor, and chairman of several committees--including Pastoral Search Committee.

28. He served for 3 years on the Greenwood County Planning and Zoning Commission; 3 years on the Greenwood County Airport Commission. He was Greenwood County Republican Chairman and State Executive Committeeman for 2 terms; Delegate to State GOP Conventions for many years and alternate delegate to the National GOP Convention in 1972 and 1974. He received the Order of the Palmetto in 1993.

29. Five letters of reference:

(a) Steve O. White

NationsBank

P.O. Box 1058

Greenwood, SC 29648

(803) 942-1678


Printed Page 2587 . . . . . Thursday, February 24, 1994

(b) J.C. Self

Greenwood Mills

P.O. Box 1017

Greenwood, SC 29648

(803) 229-2571

(c) E.I. Davis, Jr.

Davis & Floyd, Inc.

P.O. Drawer 428

Greenwood, SC 29648

(803) 229-5211

(d) Jesse A. Boyce (Ret., Abney Mills)

106 Rutledge Road

Greenwood, SC 29649

(803) 229-6134

(e) William H. Harrison (Ret.)

504 Lodge Drive

Greenwood, SC 29646

(803) 229-0660

30. He is seeking the office of Public Service Commissioner for the Third District.

THE CHAIRMAN: We're going to now adjourn until 1:45. We have, I think, about five more.
MR. COUICK: Six more.
THE CHAIRMAN: Six more candidates. I might have to leave you around 3:00 or 3:30, but Mr. Wilkes will be here. All right. We'll recess right at this time.

(A lunch break was taken)
THE CHAIRMAN: I'll call the meeting to order.
MR. COUICK: If you would stand and please take the oath.
PHILIP TIBBS BRADLEY, having been duly sworn, testified as follows:
MR. BRADLEY - EXAMINATION BY MR. COUICK.
Q. Mr. Chairman, I have Mr. Philip T. Bradley's driver's license. It shows a residence of 6 Cross Court, Greenville, South Carolina, 29607. Mr. Bradley, is that your current address?
A. Yes, sir. That is correct.
Q. And that is in Greenville County; is that correct?
A. Yes, sir, it is.
Q. Mr. Bradley, have you had an opportunity to review your Personal Data Questionnaire Summary?


Printed Page 2588 . . . . . Thursday, February 24, 1994

A. Yes, sir, I have.
Q. Were there any corrections you wish to make to it?
A. No, sir, not that I determined.
Q. Well, if you have no objection, we'll make that a part of the permanent record of these proceedings?
A. I have no problem.
Q. Mr. Bradley, there are certain matters that involve materials that you forwarded to the committee and, Mr. Chairman, would you like to discuss those in Executive Session?
THE CHAIRMAN: Ask staff to take notice of them.
Q. Mr. Chairman, there has been a report from SLED also a credit report on matters including further information that Mr. Bradley has provided to the committee as documentation. He has a clear record with both and we appreciate that, Mr. Bradley.
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Mr. Bradley, please brief the committee on your employment history, if you would?
A. When I was a student at Furman University in 1968, I started working for a very small real estate company doing just rent collection. In 1969 when I graduated from Furman, I went to work for a company, John Cothran and Company, which then became Cothran, Sims and Barker Brokers. I did sales and marketing.

In 1974, I opened my own real estate firm and continued in that until 1983 which at that point I became employed with the Austin Moving and Storage Company as vice president of marketing.

In 1985, we opened a real estate business and I'm still employed in that at this point.
Q. The real estate business that you operate, is that commercial and residential?
A. It used to be primarily residential and now it's primarily commercial.
Q. Do you have any persons who rent from you or lease from you that are regulated utilities?
A. No, sir.
Q. Should you be elected to the Public Service Commission would you continue to have an involvement in that enterprise?
A. What I would do, Mr. Couick, is I would close my own real estate company. I would place my real estate license in association with another firm in Greenville because I have a broker's license, I would just like to keep active. I don't intend to use it, but once you get certain licenses, once you let them expire it's rather difficult sometimes to --


Printed Page 2589 . . . . . Thursday, February 24, 1994

Q. So you would not actively sell real estate or lease real estate once you're --
A. No, sir.
Q. -- on the commission?
A. No, sir.
Q. Would you have any residual income coming in from Philip T. Bradley, Incorporated?
A. No, sir.
Q. There are no leases out there that have any type of brokerage commission on a month to month or year to year basis?
A. No, sir.
Q. In 1986, you were indicted by the Richland County Grand Jury for misdemeanor obstruction of justice. Those charges were dismissed by the Fifth Circuit Solicitor, Mr. James C. Anders, less than one month later.

Without replowing all that old ground, Mr. Bradley, have you had any further contact by the Fifth Circuit Solicitor's Office with regard to those charges since they were dismissed in November, 1986?
A. No, sir, none whatsoever.
Q. Do you own any utility stock, Mr. Bradley?
A. No, sir, I do not.
Q. Does anyone in your household own utility stock?
A. No, sir. They do not.
Q. You have one daughter, Andrea Lee Bradley, who is a student at the University of South Carolina, Spartanburg, is she -- does she have any employment?
A. No, sir. She does not.
Q. Mr. Bradley --
A. Mr. Couick, let me stipulate this, I say she does not, she lives with her mother and as the record states I am divorced. She lives with her mother. She does not have any employment that I am aware of.
Q. I understand. And my main concern was whether she was employed by a public utility or not, of course.
A. No, sir. She's doing what she can to graduate.
Q. All right. Why would you like to serve on the Public Service Commission, Mr. Bradley?
A. Because I think with the -- my past experience and the abilities I have that I could lead the Public Service Commission in some directions that the future is going to dictate to us. It's -- we're probably all aware the telecommunications industry is just exploding.

Vice President Gore keeps referring to the Superhighway of the telecommunications industry being built. The only problem is it's already


| Printed Page 2570, Feb. 24 | Printed Page 2590, Feb. 24 |

Page Finder Index