On Monday, July 28, County Council Chairman Clarence Gilbert, Economic Development Director Ann Broadwater and myself were given the unique opportunity to deepen and strengthen the growing relationship between our newest Fairfield County industry, MegaMetal, and our county. Flying to their home country of Turkey as their guests, we were exposed to their work culture, […]
Driggers: It’s clear we’ve had events in the Manor that have not been paid for
July 31, 2025 By
BLYTHEWOOD – Following published reports that Richland County Councilman Derrek Pugh hosted a birthday party for his mother-in-law at The Manor without a security deposit and without paying the required $4,500 rate as required by Town policy, town officials informed The Voice that Pugh also has another family event scheduled for Friday Aug. 1, and […]
County officials visit Mega Metal HQ in Istanbul
July 31, 2025 By
WINNSBORO – In an effort to build on the new relationship between Fairfield County and its newest industry, Mega Metal, a Fairfield contingency has been invited to visit the headquarters of Mega Metal in Istanbul, Turkey. Last May, Mega Metal opened its first South Carolina manufacturing facility in Fairfield County, where the company will be […]
Referendum to change form of government in Blythewood set for July 29
July 28, 2025 By
BLYTHEWOOD – A special election for the Town of Blythewood will be held on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, so that residents of the Town can vote as to whether or not they want the Town of Blythewood to change the form of its government from a mayor-council form to the council-manager form. Voting Information Only […]
Town investigating comping for Doko Manor events
July 24, 2025 By
BLYTHEWOOD – After a story was published in the July 17 edition of The Voice regarding the comping (partially or completely) of events scheduled at the Manor, an investigation is unfolding in town hall as Blythewood town officials try to determine who is authorizing certain events at the Manor to be comped, which events are […]
Asouzu named Fairfield Deputy Finance Director
July 24, 2025 By
WINNSBORO – Chris Asouzu has been hired as Fairfield County’s new Deputy Finance Director. Announced in an Employee Spotlight bio on Facebook on July 7, Asouzu says he has over thirty years of leadership in accounting and financial management. “I have built a distinguished career across multiple industries, including manufacturing, Newspaper publishing, Entertainment, Cyber Security, […]
Brock, McKenrick, Fripp to hold Q&A on July 21
July 17, 2025 By
BLYTHEWOOD – Mayor Pro Tem Donald Brock, Councilman Rich McKenrick, and Councilwoman Andrea Fripp will host a meeting for Blythewood voters on Monday, July 21, to answer questions regarding the upcoming July 29 referendum. Councilwoman Erica Page will be out of town, but may be available to answer questions remotely. “Bring your questions about the […]
Fairfield ad hoc committee sends animal ordinance recommendations to council
July 17, 2025 By
AIRFIELD COUNTY – After more than three months of deliberation, the Fairfield County Animal Control Ordinance Ad Hoc Committee voted unanimously on July 15 to approve its draft of recommended changes to the existing animal ordinance. The 7–0 vote marks the conclusion of an 18-hour public meeting series that began on April 9 and resulted […]
Are comped events hurting Doko Manor’s bottom line?
July 17, 2025 By
BLYTHEWOOD – The Town of Blythewood’s event venue, Doko Manor, struggles financially, and town hall records indicate that comping and discounting rental rates for the facility may be contributing to that struggle. In a listing of Manor event bookings for the month of May, 2025, obtained by The Voice, one entry states: “The Manor Reserved […]
Blythewood Town Council passes $3.7M budget, clips Griffin’s unauthorized spending
July 10, 2025 By
BLYTHEWOOD – During the June 23 regular council meeting, Blythewood town council voted 3-2 to pass a $3,760,905 FY 2025-26 budget, taking measures aimed at clipping unauthorized spending. To that end, council targeted several line items they said Mayor Sloan Griffin had overspent in last fiscal year’s 2024-25 budget without authorization. They also looked at […]
