In order to provide local voters information about the three Democrat candidates vying for the S.C. House of Representatives District 41 seat before the June 8 primary, each candidate was given the opportunity to come to the Herald Independent office for an interview. The first interview is being run today, with the others to follow in a future edition.

Kamau Marcharia

Age: 65

Occupation: Fairfield County Council Member District 4, Community Organizer

Education: Some college

Family: 3 sons, grandchildren

Political experience: Elected to serve on County Council District 4 (Jenkinsville area) in 1998.

Has served two terms as Vice Chairman. Serves as the chairman of the Public Facilities and Transportation Committee, and is a member of the Environment and Public Safety Committee and Economic Development and Land Planning Committee. Completed Level I and Level II Institute of Government for County Officials courses from Institute of Public Affairs, Program for Leadership and Public Management, University of South Carolina.

Volunteer Activities/Community Involvement: 35 years community service in various volunteer and staff positions. Consultant to various community-based organizations around the Country. Serves on the board of the S. C. Progressive Network.Worked as community organizer for over 25 years, including serving as the Executive Director of Fairfield United Action (1986 – 1990) and as Director of Rural Organizing for Grassroots Leadership (1990-2006). Served as a board member for the Bert and Mary Meyer Foundation and Southern Partners Fund, the National Organizers Alliance and the Windcall Institute. Served as a member of the Nominating Committee for the Petra Foundation and the Criminal Justice Task Force of the American Friends Service Committee. Past President of the Fairfield County NAACP.

Platform: The things I am most interested in are what I call the 5 E’s.

Energy - Safety-The Gulf Coast oil spill shows us that we shouldn’t do something that we don’t know how to fix if there is an accident. We need to work to bring clean energy options to S.C. Nuclear power plants. We need to plan for the population growth of 7,000 people working on the new plant.

Environmental Quality - Our state has natural beauty. Strong regulations need to be in place to protect our state’s shores from off shore drilling without safety back-ups.

Education: Preschool is key and needs to be funded. This determines success in adults. Teachers need support and good pay. Social workers and healthcare workers are needed in the schools. Parent participation and school budget transparency is necessary.

Economic Development: We need to work to bring sustainable family wage jobs to S.C. When jobs do come, we need our local residents to have the skills to get the jobs.

Equity: Fair policies for job opportunities that will pay a family wage with benefits are needed, not just land deals for the wealthy.

“My campaign slogan is ‘Courage to Challenge, Courage to Change.’ I enjoy empowering people-helping them help themselves, helping them walk through the process, and organizing those who care about issues.”