Richland County PC holding workshop for mass rezoning

COLUMBIA – The remapping restart process for the mass rezoning of all the unincorporated areas of Richland County is on the agenda to be discussed at the Monday, June 6 meeting of the Richland County Planning Commission. Immediately following the meeting a workshop is scheduled to discuss the Land Development Code remapping restart, with three […]

Early voting underway in Richland County

BLYTHEWOOD  – Early voting for the primaries began Tuesday and will continue until 5 p.m., June 10. For this two week period, polls will be open for in-person voting without an excuse as was required in the past. Polls will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. weekdays during this two weeks, but will […]

Fairfield Council members spend while cutting back departments

WINNSBORO – Three Fairfield County Council members traveled to a seaside resort last summer to learn more about county government. They registered for a few classes and stayed extra nights. These expenses and others highlight an apparent pattern of frequent travel, double billing and other fiscal abuses found during a review of council member reimbursements. […]

Will Governor McMaster remove R2 board members?

COLUMBIA – With the recent passage of a state law enabling the governor of South Carolina to remove school board members for misconduct in office, some parents in Richland School District Two are asking if the law will be applied here and, if so, to what extent. According to the governor’s office, that question is […]

Davenport leaving Fairfield for Richland

COLUMBIA – It was announced in The Voice last week that Fairfield Economic Director Ty Davenport had left Fairfield County. He has since been named Deputy Director of Economic Development for Richland County. Davenport was hired by Fairfield County in June, 2016, when the unemployment rate in the county was 14 percent and had been […]

TC passes first budget reading; authorizes property purchase

BLYTHEWOOD – After considerable sparring over some of the ways the Town spends its money, Town Council unanimously passed first reading of its FY 2022 – 2023 budget Monday night. With one-time revenues from American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding ($1,812,854) and a $250,000 earmark grant from the state government plus an almost 100 percent increase […]

County Council takes $285K from fund balance to cover earmarks

Council Budgeted More for Itself Than for Economic Development WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Council members authorized $285,000 in last minute spending as part of the $41.3 million budget approved Monday night, raiding what Council Chair Moses Bell has frequently called “the depleted fund balance” to do so. The majority five council members also declined taking […]

Jennifer Brecheisen announces candidacy for House District 41

CHESTER – Jennifer Brecheisen, an artist and homeschooling mother living in Chester County, has announced her candidacy for the South Carolina House of Representatives in District 41. That district, which includes Fairfield and Chester Counties, is currently represented by Annie McDaniel. The district also includes part of the Lake Carolina area. New District 41 lines […]

Industrial zoning sought for 392 acres on Hwy 34

FAIRFIELD COUNTY – A request to have a 392.49 acre parcel rezoned from RD-1 (Rural Residential District) to I-1 (Industrial District) will be heard by the Fairfield County Planning Commission on Thursday, May 26, at 6 p.m. The property, owned by Gum Springs LLC (applicant), is located about 2.5 miles west of Interstate-77 on SC […]

Gilbert: Council salaries should be cut in FY 22-23

Councilman Trapp: ‘I Don’t Think That’s Legal.’ WINNSBORO – Fee increases, adding new positions, and cutting council member salaries are among the last minute alterations under consideration in Fairfield County’s proposed $41.3 million budget. But it was an existing budget item that would fund Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office raises that’s giving at least one council […]

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