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I've been meeting with the people of Lexington County every day for many, many months now discussing my “Saving Lives” campaign for coroner. As you can imagine, the number one question I get is, "how can a coroner save lives"?
First, some background. Soon after I became Richland County Coroner, I realized that children were thrown around in automobile accidents like tennis balls, and my response was to work with people from around the state to get tougher seat belt laws passed. I strongly encouraged Gov. Sanford to join me in supporting this effort and was also able to testify before our state legislature. The result was that we now have stronger seat belt laws.
When the Red Cross called me and said they wanted to establish a “Tissue Bank”, I went to work statewide. With the help of Coroners from all across South Carolina, we developed a source for these much needed tissues.
I was later honored to become President of the South Carolina Sudden Infant Death Council, as well as to serve on the Child Fatality Committee at D.S.S.. I envisioned and promoted a board of experts to study deaths of children statewide in order to prevent future deaths, and the Children’s Health and Safety Council was established.
While working on all of these projects to save lives, I served as President of the South Carolina Coroners Association seven times, and was able to bring many of the world’s top experts to South Carolina and offer seminars to train Coroners, law enforcement and prosecutors. During those years we were able to get a bill passed that gave simple subpoena power to Coroners, which made it unnecessary to hold inquests in order to subpoena records. This has saved taxpayers millions of dollars.
When political demographics changed in Richland County, I had two choices: leave the Republican Party or no longer be the Coroner. I refused to turn my back on my values and the principles of our party.
Over the ensuing years, I was pleased to be the primary caretaker of my elderly parents living here in Lexington County. After the death of both parents, I found myself drawn back to what I did best, working in public programs to save lives.
I joined the Lexington County Emergency Response Team, became a member of the Board of Directors of the South Carolina Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and last fall I put together a meeting that resulted in “Alive at 25” being offered at Brooklyn-Cayce and Airport High Schools. This program is reducing teenage fatalities on our roads.
When I talk about Saving Lives, I mean it. I have the qualifications, experience, the health and the passion to serve and to raise the bar for what is expected from our coroner’s office.
Together we can work together to make Lexington County the safest place to live and travel. I ask that you join me in this quest.
Frank E. Barron, III
, West Columbia
Barron is a Republican candidate for Lexington County Coroner.
Steven Humphries
11:03 am on Sunday, May 27, 2012
Wow I wish all of our elected officials had this kind of passion for public service!
Colnzgprnts
11:05 am on Sunday, May 27, 2012
It may be great to pursue the current fad, but the office of coroner has a defined purpose. This candidate is campaigning on the promise of changing the purpose of the cornoner's office - he is in effect asking the citizens of Lexington County to put him in a different office than 'advertised'.
My vote will be to repudiate this candidate! I do not want more seat belt laws nor do I want bureaucrats making the personal decisions about how to run my life - I am qualified to make my own decisions without a 'nanny-state' there to make the decisions which are mine and mine alone.
One and Done
11:23 am on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Exactly! Isn't this the same reason richland county kicked him out? And now he comes over to our county just to run for Coroner. No thanks Mr. Barron. Keep your lies and you controversies away from here. Here is an interesting tidbit, a man told me recently that Mr. Barron beat his horses.
Steven Humphries
2:13 am on Saturday, June 2, 2012
Nanny state? I think Coroner Barron is talking more of educating and general public awareness on issues involving his job not envoking penalties to the people.
By the way a seatbelt is not a bad idea you should see the difference it makes in the event of an accident.
Steven Humphries
11:09 am on Monday, May 28, 2012
Who would be better at identifiying a trend in mortality than the coroner? I think frank Barron can make a positive impact on our community.
Colnzgprnts
11:29 am on Monday, May 28, 2012
Yes he can make an impact on our community. Perhaps he can improve on 'Happy Meals' for our children or other such worthwhile things. However, I thought he was seeking the job of coroner. He seems to wish to be our nanny and I think that is a different office.
The Chaney Household
12:25 pm on Friday, June 1, 2012
As long time residents of Lexington County my family and I are tired of no accountability of our elected officials. If our county is to break free of the elements that are draining our county of both resources and potential, we need a fresh approach to these positions. If these offices are to serve the people, rather than be self-serving we have to remember that we as residents of this county, through our informed vote, still have the power to make changes.
Lexington County has held on for far too long a dynasty mentality based on what is perceived to be an inherent right to hold office based on family name, connections, or the reciprocity of political favors. This needs to be challenged.
Mr. Barron is a candidate who wants to do more than just “hold” an office and make a salary. The ideal of introducing new programs and not willing to accept, “that is not in my job description” is very commendable and is what we all need to expect from those that are sworn to public service. We need more political candidates that are willing to go the extra mile for their constituents and actively engage in making this county a better place to live for their constituents.
You have our support Mr. Barron, and yes if you can save even one life in the process rather than just zipping up the body bag, it will be well worth it.
One and Done
7:24 pm on Friday, June 1, 2012
If this man is elected, he will try to take away our liberties and rights. We don't want someone in office just to hold an office, or to just get retirement benefits, as it seems that you want to do Mr. Barron. Mr. Harman's service speaks for itself. Mr. Barron's 'service' of controversies, ranging from a underage teen party at your house that resulted in death, to 14 years of debt that you refused to pay, to near bankruptcy, to stretching the truth about your time spent at the Citadel. Not to mention another article that shows Frank Barron went to 1 crime scene in a year. Who is more active, the fit and able man or the man who just got back surgery? If you guessed the man who just got back surgery ( Harry Harman ) you are right. We don't want you Frankie, move on back to Richland County.
Steven Humphries
5:04 pm on Saturday, June 2, 2012
Again what liberties and rights will Coroner Barron take away from you?
Steven Humphries
1:52 am on Saturday, June 2, 2012
What liberties and rights will Coroner Barron take away from you?
One and Done
3:32 pm on Saturday, June 2, 2012
Just so everyone is clear on Frankie Barron
"In 1998, according to Richland County records, Barron personally responded to one death scene. There were 1,247 investigations that year. In 1999, he responded to eight of 1,565 cases. And in 2000, his final year in office, he responded to six of the 1,530 deaths handled by the office."
One and Done
3:39 pm on Saturday, June 2, 2012
To add, it seems that Mr. Barron touts his expertise because of the fact that Richland County had more deaths than Lexington. if Mr. Barron truly was saving lives like he said, this would not be the case. You can say that you were saving lives but deaths under your watch doubled.
Steven Humphries
4:49 pm on Saturday, June 2, 2012
Deaths doubled? I dont see that figure reflected. The other figures you are refering to have been shown to be paperwork filings and not attendance at the scene figures.
Lets stop embellishing and obscuring the facts. Harmon is coroner in name only. Randy Martin has been running that office for years and he is a documented liar and a crook.