Today, I want to give a shout out to the Brighton Tower HOA (disclaimer – I am board chair). It may be a little self-serving, but it is time for us on the HOA board to toot our own horn. The Brighton Tower is a 21-story high-rise, which features two hundred individually-owned ocean front condominiums with common maintenance and storage areas. The Brighton HOA entered into a partnership with our energy provider, Santee Cooper, to become the flagship for energy efficiency on the South Carolina coast.

By installing energy efficient pumps, LED lighting, and other cost saving measures, we saved $64,000 in energy costs alone in 2015. Santee Cooper and other energy providers in South Carolina have similar programs, and if you are a business or home owner, I urge you take a look at reducing your power bill. Sounds like a plan, doesn’t it! Attached is Santee Cooper’s monograph, featuring their partnership with Brighton Tower.

I just spent several days in Myrtle Beach, where we have an office, and while we sustained some damage here in Columbia, it was thankfully very minor. Certain areas on the coast and in the PeeDee were hit very hard, especially the town of Nichols. Large areas of the PeeDee have downed trees and isolated power outages, and the reconstruction process will take some time to get them back on their feet. Dry goods and other items are needed by the victims of Hurricane Matthew. The Mike Kelly Law Group, in conjunction with Gardner Law Firm, are designated drop-off points for any cans and dry goods you wish to donate. Our locations are as follows:

Mike Kelly Law Group – Columbia
500 Taylor Street, Suite 400
Columbia, SC 29201

Mike Kelly Law Group – Myrtle Beach
816 Broadway Street
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Gardner Law Firm
2184 W Evans St
Florence, SC 29501

Or you can make a contribution through the American Red Cross.

Being an AARP card carrying member, I have learned over time that every day and every season of my life are my favorites. I especially love fall in the Carolinas. From the beaches to the mountains, there is something magical in the air. Whether it’s attending a college football game, hanging out at Soda City Farmer’s Market, a round of golf, or a walk on Columbia’s Riverfront parks, it is simply a delightful time to be alive. Please take an opportunity this weekend to enjoy all that Columbia and the Midlands have to offer.

Another October in South Carolina, and yet another catastrophic weather event occurs. Hurricane Matthew blew in Friday night and caused much destruction in our state, as well as in our neighboring states. Fortunately, there was minimal loss of life, at least in South Carolina. Every life is precious, and every life is valued.

My neighborhood was without power for two and a half days, and as I remarked last night to my good friend and neighbor, Dr. Mark Salley, ‘When you lose things you take for granted, such as electricity, you doubly appreciate it when you get it back.” My heartfelt thanks to police officers, first responders, electrical company linemen, EMTs, and all those who made the best of a bad situation here in our state.

A special thanks to Governor Nikki Haley and her staff for a well-planned disaster response!

As I pen this KellyGram, the path of Hurricane Matthew is uncertain. Fortunately, it looks like our state of South Carolina will be spared to worst. Although people will disagree about the wisdom of shutting down schools, universities, and state agencies, and whether ordering evacuations may have been premature, I believe Governor Haley and her emergency preparedness staff did the prudent thing. Lessons learned from Hugo and last October’s flood have taught us that it is better to be overly careful than less so. I pray Hurricane Matthew leaves only minimal, if not nonexistent, destruction in the Carolinas, and that my fellow South Carolinians will be cooperative and understanding of decisions and directives from our public servants in charge of this massive and all-important effort.

Today I want to talk about one of my practice areas that is a very satisfying part of my work, Workers’ Compensation. For more years than I care to count, I have worked almost exclusively for injured workers here in South Carolina. Worker’s Compensation is not as easy a process as one would think and is composed of three benefits:

1. A weekly check for each week an injured worker is off work (2/3 of your average weekly wage, subject to a $784.03 cap for 2016).
2. Medicals benefits with no copays or deductibles including prescription service, mileage back and forth to the providers, etc.
3. Permanent disability in whole or in part. I normally charge a percentage fee from this benefit and have helped thousands of injured workers over these years.

I rank as one of the most experienced Workers’ Compensation lawyers in the state (which means I’m an older guy – LOL!) Please let me know if you or someone you know has been hurt on the job, and we will schedule a free consultation!

Wednesday, the Mike Kelly Law Group had the opportunity to sponsor and attend the 8th Annual Green Tie Awards Luncheon to benefit the Conservation Voters of South Carolina. The Conservation Voters organization was created in 2003 for two essential purposes: 1) To provide a unified front for those that believe we need to leave this earth better than we found it and 2) to support those political leaders who promote conservation in our wonderful state. Awards were presented to Senator Nikki Setzler, Representative Doug Brannon, and Representative Weston Newton, along with Frank Holloman, Esquire, who heads the Southern Environmental Law Center.

Receiving the South Carolina Lifetime Conservation Award was Rudy Mancke, literally a South Carolina treasure. Mancke hosted Nature Scene on ETV for many years and is now on the faculty at the University of South Carolina as its first naturalist in residence. All presenters and award recipients gave credit where it is due, to Ann Timberlake. Ann is a Dreher High School and Tulane University graduate who has a lifetime commitment to protecting and enhancing our environment in South Carolina. She has worked tirelessly to grow the Conservation Voters to a strong political organization, advocating for our environment. Ann is retiring, but her legacy will continue and she will continue the battle! Congratulations Ann for your legacy!

I like every season of the year (and pretty much every day of my life for that matter), but football is especially a good time. I am an avid college football fan, being partial to the Gamecocks (of course!) but I also like the entire atmosphere. I particularly like the rivalry between Carolina and Clemson and other teams in the SEC. Professional football also grabs a lot of my attention, especially the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Washington Redskins. While I grew up a Redskins fan, when I moved to South Carolina I became a Falcons fan, and now I am also a Panthers fan!

Lord willing, I will be out at Williams-Brice this Saturday to watch the Gamecocks play the East Carolina Pirates. It will be good to see all my tailgating friends at the University House!

Today I write about one of favorite new non-profits – the Women’s Rights Empowerment Network (WREN). It’s a new organization who’s mission is to build a movement to enhance the health, economic well-being, and rights of South Carolina women, girls, and their families. I have the privilege of serving on the initial board, and our mission is as follows – advocating, education and empowering. In our first year of existence, we worked hard for the passage of the Cervical Cancer Prevention Act of 2016, which increases adolescents’ access to the HPV vaccine. Next year, we will be pushing for the implementation of the Comprehensive Education Act for public schools in South Carolina.

I am very proud of the work done so far! Congratulations to our Executive Direct, Ann Warner, who is leading us with knowledge, vigor, and enthusiasm. The public kickoff of our new organization will take place in Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston. The Columbia event will happen on October 6th from 6pm to 8pm. If anyone is interested in attending to learn more about WREN and our path going forward, please message me I will make sure you receive an invitation. I am proud to be part of this dynamic new team!

August 18th was a day of excitement for some and dread for others – the University of South Carolina resumed its classes! The start of a new school year is an exciting time for Columbia! It marks an increase for local restaurants and businesses, the preparation of a new wave of professionals preparing to enter the job market and, of course, it means it’s time for Gamecock Football! While a new school year means great things for our wonderful city, there also comes great caution. Flows of traffic will now increase, meaning we must always be aware of our surroundings. As you go to work, school, or to explore the great city of Columbia, please watch closely for bicyclists, pedestrians, and other drivers!