SC health agency adds 4 executives

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The new director of the Department of Health and Environmental Control is being criticized for adding four executives.

The State newspaper reported (http://bit.ly/GJYxlZ) that DHEC director Catherine Templeton says the new positions will make the agency more efficient.

The new jobs pay between $93,000 and $119,000 annually.

Don Weaver of the South Carolina Association of Taxpayer says money should be put into programs and not administration.

John Crangle with the citizens group Common Cause and Sumter Sen. Phil Leventis also are questioning whether the new positions are needed.

Templeton was approved as DHEC director last month. She says the new employees will provide valuable support. She also says the new employees will give a fresh look at agency operations.

DHEC employment has fallen from 5,000 to 3,600 in three years.

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Information from: The State, http://www.thestate.com