Gov. Mark Sanford initially did not recognize a woman he saw at the North Augusta Wal-Mart on Thursday. As soon as Debbie Whitson, of Augusta, introduced herself, the governor realized he was speaking to a childhood friend he had not seen in 35 years.

Mr. Sanford was not shopping at the retail outlet. Instead, he stood outside to meet with residents and listen to their concerns as part of his Neighborhood Office Hours initiative.

"I told him to get rid of No Child Left Behind," said Ms. Whitson, a special education teacher at Augusta's Tutt Middle School, who grew up with Mr. Sanford in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

What did he say?

"Nothing," she said.

Ms. Whitson said the federal mandate absolves parents of responsibility for their children's education.

"It puts all the responsibility on teachers," she said.

The governor's goodwill stop was more of a listening tour than an opportunity to offer concrete solutions to problems. His executive assistant, April Derr, however, took down the names, addresses and telephone numbers of about 25 people to follow up on their concerns.

John and Lois Morgan, a North Augusta couple who have a vacation home on Edisto Island, S.C., asked Mr. Sanford about property tax relief. They are afraid they will not be able to enjoy their beach house during their retirement.

"I can't afford to retire," said Mr. Morgan, who turns 65 next month. "I've got to keep working to pay property tax."

Mr. Morgan, who would rather increase sales taxes than property taxes, said he wanted to ask the governor one question.

"What are you in favor of doing?"

Mr. Sanford said any property tax reform should be done in "an equitable way."

After a long pause, Mr. Sanford said, "Collectively, across the system, it creates some real inequities."

Mrs. Morgan said she thought Mr. Sanford was listening to them. In response to their question, however, she said, "He had to stop and think really long."

Jamela Hillary, of North Augusta, a single parent who works as an assistant manager at the Evans Wal-Mart, asked Mr. Sanford what South Carolina is doing to make fathers responsible for their children.

"As a single mom, I work hard every day. I balance school; I balance work; I balance being a mom," she said. "I just want something in place so the state and the taxpayers don't have to assume the responsibility."

Mr. Sanford told Ms. Hillary, who has three children ages 7, 5 and 3, that people like her need to keep bringing up the topic.

After she spoke to the governor, Ms. Hillary said, she was pleased that he visited Wal-Mart.

"This is the place that everybody comes. It just shows that he's a people person," she said. "I really feel like he will address my issues."

Reach Betsy Gilliland at (803) 648-1395, ext. 113, or betsy.gilliland@augustachronicle.com.