Clements aims to help communities

By: Bradrick McClam | SCNOW
Published: October 28, 2009

LAKE CITY — Twelfth Circuit Solicitor Ed Clements III said he has a responsibility to see that all communities are protected.

Clements, whose circuit comprises Florence and Marion counties, was the speaker at the Lake City Rotary Club’s most recent meeting, held Friday at Prosser’s Restaurant.

As solicitor, he is able to help the entire community, as opposed to when he was involved in a private law practice, he said.

His office has formed a juvenile arbitration program, which recently received an award for being the top such program in the state, he said. He said he always gets teary-eyed when talking about the juvenile arbitration program, and his voice trembled as he talked about the program on Friday.

Today, Clements said, younger people are committing more serious crimes.

“It’s breaking my heart, and I have to do something about it,” he said.

“We’ve got to make a difference where we can,” Clements said, explaining the tasks he and his team of lawyers face.

He also said cases involving financial fraud are common now because of the state of the economy. In addition, Clements said, 90 percent of his cases are “fueled” by substance abuse.

Clements said citizens should support the law enforcement agencies in local communities.

“They’re not perfect, but people are not perfect,” he said, adding that law enforcement officers have a “thankless” job.

He said that if you’re a person who believes in prayer, you should pray that law enforcement officers will have wisdom and the courage to do what is right.

He said his main job duty consists of going into the courtroom and prosecuting people. When he was elected, many people didn’t know what a solicitor was, he said. He joked that some people thought his job had to do with the “no solicitation” signs that are displayed by businesses.

Clements said it is always a pleasure to come to Lake City and eat at Prosser’s Restaurant.

At this coming Friday’s Rotary meeting, the speaker will be Dr. Morris Anderson, a retired veterinarian, Florence County councilman and an advocate of a no-kill animal shelter for the county.