Brown spotlights cash for dredging

Earlier this year, U.S. Rep. Henry Brown caught flak from possible GOP rival Carroll Campbell III for a lack of attention to Georgetown's port, so Brown now is highlighting a recent vote earmarking $1.07 million to dredge Georgetown's 27-foot-deep channel.

"We have to continue to fight for funding because of the low levels requested by the president, and I am pleased to see a strong commitment made to Charleston, Georgetown and the (Intracoastal) Waterway in this bill," Brown said.

In April, Campbell wrote Brown a letter critical of his inability to work with the Army Corps of Engineers and direct any of the federal stimulus dollars to Georgetown Harbor. Campbell, son of former S.C. Gov. Carroll Campbell, is considering running against Brown in next year's Republican primary.

Brown responded at the time that he had secured more than $25 million for the port during his time in Congress.

Last week, the House Appropriations Energy & Water Subcommittee included several South Carolina projects for the next fiscal year, including $12.39 million for dredging Charleston Harbor and $2.5 million for dredging the Atlantic Intracoastal Water-way — plus the Georgetown sum.

Brown, who was stung by frequent criticism during his past campaign, has vowed to be more aggressive countering claims this time around.

On Monday, he called Campbell someone "who hasn't done anything except get fired by the very board of the port that he's trying to support."

Campbell said Monday there are two different issues here: whether Brown has supported the Port of Georgetown and whether his staff was correct in saying that stimulus projects were handled through the White House, and not the Corps of Engineers.

The corps did play a major role and solicited input from Congress, Campbell said, adding, "The bottom line is I just think he was misleading his constituents, and that's what was causing me some concern."

Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@postandcourier.com.