Washington lobbyist contract ends 12-28-2010

THE CITY OF GREENVILLE'S CONTRACT WITH ITS WASHINGTON LOBBYIST WILL NOT BE RENEWED. THE GREENVILLE CITY COUNCIL VOTED 4 TO 2 LAST TUESDAY TO END ITS CONTRACT WITH STEVE PRUITT, WHO EARNED $30,000 PER YEAR SINCE 2005 FOR HIS SERVICES IN SECURING GRANTS FOR THE CITY. PRUITT'S CONTRACT RUNS OUT ON DECEMBER 31.  GREENVILLE CITY CLERK AMELIA WICKS SAID THE CITY RECEIVED A TOTAL OF $26 MILLION IN GRANTS DURING THE LAST FIVE YEARS. COUNCILWOMAN CAROLYN WEATHERS SAID ASSURANCES FROM REPUBLICAN U.S. SENATOR ROGER WICKER'S OFFICE WAS ENOUGH TO CONVINCE HER PRUITT'S SERVICES WERE NO LONGER NEEDED. COUNCILWOMAN BETTY WATKINS, WHO VOTED AGAINST ENDING THE CONTRACT, SAID THE CITY BENEFITED FROM PRUITT'S LOBBYING.