Forum will be held tonight, Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Council has invited the public to speak out at a public forum concerning the redistricting plan for Fairfield County. The meeting is set for 6 – 7 p.m. tonight, Monday, Dec. 6, at Council Chambers at the Fairfield County government offices, 350 […]
Editorial Analysis: Records refute Franklin’s claims against Voice publisher
December 2, 2021 By Leave a Comment
BLYTHEWOOD – Mayor Bryan Franklin is either misinformed by Town Administrator Carroll Williamson or is not telling the truth concerning his allegations that The Voice intimidated and bullied Williamson with “numerous inquiries” regarding town attorney Shannon Burnett’s resignation. In the Sept. 23, 2021 issue of the Country Chronicle, Franklin was quoted as saying he had […]
Pushback over redistricting secrecy prompts public comment meeting
December 2, 2021 By 2 Comments
WINNSBORO – County council pushed through first and second readings (5-2) on a redistricting plan for Fairfield County in less than a week and without public discussion or a public forum on the plan. At the Nov. 22 council meeting, Councilman Douglas Pauley accused Chairman Moses Bell of unilaterally submitting a draft plan without informing […]
Bell pushing redistricting thru
November 24, 2021 By 2 Comments
Pauley: Mr. Bell’s Decisions Not In Best Interest of County WINNSBORO – Redistricting is an inherently political process, and that reality was on full display at Monday night’s Fairfield County Council meeting. After passing first reading of an ordinance adopting a redistricting plan by a 5-2 vote Thursday night, council members passed second reading of […]
Griffin, McKenrick sworn in
November 24, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Blythewood Magistrate Diedra Hightower administered the oath of office to returning Blythewood town council member Sloan Griffin, III, left, with his wife Tinnelle and their son Tristan, and to newly elected council member Rich McKenrick, right, with his wife Theresa. Larry Griffin: I Do Think This Council Can Rebound BLYTHEWOOD – After warm goodbyes all […]
Council hires new county admin
November 23, 2021 By Leave a Comment
WINNSBORO – After six months and six unsuccessful tries to fill the vacancy left by former Fairfield County Administrator Jason Taylor, council voted to hire Columbia native Malik Whitaker during a special called meeting last week. Whitaker will assume his new duties with the county on Dec. 2. The vote was unanimous to offer Whitaker […]
Fairfield council majority caves to request to give $4k to first responders
November 10, 2021 By 3 Comments
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County first responders are getting bigger bonuses from the American Rescue Plan after all. On Monday night, Fairfield County Council voted 7-0 to increase full time first responder bonuses from $1,200 to $4,000. But the unanimous vote doesn’t reflect the deep divisions among council members leading up to Monday night’s final reading. […]
Public input sought for rezoning 121 acres
November 10, 2021 By Leave a Comment
BLYTHEWOOD – County Councilman Derrek Pugh will hold an in-person town hall meeting Saturday, Nov. 13 to discuss a map amendment request for property on Farrow Road near Blythewood. The request seeks to rezone two parcels totaling 121 acres from heavy industrial (HI) to residential single-family medium density (RS-MD). Pugh, who represents Blythewood District 2, […]
Ft. Jackson requests $50K to build park
November 4, 2021 By 2 Comments
BLYTHEWOOD – Blythewood Town Council members balked at a proposal to spend $50,000 to help build Centennial Park at Ft. Jackson, a proposed park at the Columbia military base located approximately 14 miles from the Town of Blythewood limits. In October 2019, the council kicked in $15,000 toward the park, said Town Administrator Carroll Williamson. […]
Bell claims council members are county employees, eligible for ARP
November 4, 2021 By 1 Comment
Video Differs with Media Report on Bell’s Brush-Up with 1st Responders WINNSBORO – In a confrontation with Fairfield County first responders following last week’s county council meeting, a video showed Council Chairman Moses Bell, when asked whether he thought he was a county employee, responding, “Yes, I am.” During a council meeting earlier that evening, […]
