<b>County lags on reporting </b><b>financial information</b>

The Wall Street Journal (Jan. 30) reports "Earnings reports this week from more than 100 of Americas biggest companies ---."

This is just about a month after their fiscal year closed.

I checked the Beaufort County website the morning of Jan. 30. Still no annual financial report. The county fiscal year ended June 30. Seven months later and still no report.

Corporations get their reports out in around 30 days, while Beaufort County has had about 210 days without getting any report to the taxpaying public.

Who is managing county finance reporting?  Why does the Beaufort County Council ignore such problems? Its job is to set policy and then monitor compliance with policies.
<p style="text-align: right;"><b>Jim Bequette
</b><b>St. Helena Island</b></p>
<b>TCL looks back on progress in 2016</b>

The Technical College of the Lowcountry plays a critical role in the economic infrastructure of our region. Our mission of education and workforce development helps to sustain and drive our local economy.

It is my responsibility to ensure that the college not only keeps pace with current workforce demand but also anticipates the future workforce needs of our business and industry.

To that end, the college accomplished a lot in 2016. We launched the Automotive Technology program and significantly expanded our Aviation Maintenance and Structural Mechanics programs. These are important achievements, but we need to do more. I have four priorities for the college:

1. A Lowcountry Culinary Institute to train a much-needed culinary workforce.

2. A Regional Workforce Training Center to train local residents for jobs in the fast-emerging diversified manufacturing industry.

3. The expansion of our Health Science Programs to meet the exploding workforce needs of the healthcare industry.

4. TCL College Online to make it easier for working students and our military to earn a degree or career certification.

I believe in the human and economic potential of the Lowcountry. Community-based education and workforce training not only expands economic opportunity for our residents, but will do more to strengthen the local economy than anything else a state or local government can do.

By providing access to education and skilled trades training, TCL turns potential into reality for individuals, families and communities.

TCL is the community's choice for career-oriented education and university transfer programs. We value access and inclusion and are committed to the success of our students and the communities we serve.

Technical College of the Lowcountry, our name says it all.
<p style="text-align: right;"><b>Dr. Richard J. Gough
</b><b>TCL President</b></p>