RICHLAND COUNTY – The overhaul of Richland County’s zoning code has hit a pause after members of the public raised concerns and the Richland County Council voted to do more analysis of the proposal before moving forward. The text of a new zoning code, which replaces all existing county zoning classifications with new ones in […]
County rejects, then asks for meeting with town
April 14, 2022 By
WINNSBORO – A week after the Town of Winnsboro’s lawsuit contesting Fairfield County’s solid waste fee became public knowledge, the county wants a meeting. On Monday night, County Councilman Mikel Trapp read a prepared statement that called upon Winnsboro to join Fairfield in forming a joint commission to “study services and areas of cooperation.” Trapp’s […]
Moving On Up
April 14, 2022 By
WINNSBORO – Furniture and office equipment will be moved into the new County Administration Building beginning Thursday, April 14. Developer Rory Dowling, principal with 1st and Main, and William Louder, who has overseen the project for the last several months and is assisting the county in the transition, gave The Voice a tour of the […]
Their Honors
April 14, 2022 By
RIDGEWAY – Fairfield County magistrate Katina Capers-Washington swore in two Ridgeway town councilmen and the mayor Monday evening at the Century House in Ridgeway. From left are Judge Washington, Mayor Heath Cookenorfer and his wife Patti; Town Councilmen Rick Johnson and his wife Tina and Dan Martin and his wife Robbie. The three will join […]
Town of Winnsboro files lawsuit against County over solid waste fee
April 7, 2022 By
WINNSBORO – Winnsboro is taking Fairfield County to court. On March 30, the Town of Winnsboro formally filed suit against the county, claiming in court papers that the county’s solid waste fee shouldn’t apply to Winnsboro town residents. The suit seeks a declaratory judgment that the $63 per ton fee is “invalid and illegal”, according […]
Richland County PC defers controversial mass rezoning
April 7, 2022 By
COLUMBIA – Richland County Council chambers were packed Monday afternoon with residents from throughout the county. They were there to express their concerns, fears and objections to Richland County’s proposal to rezone all 375,000 acres of unincorporated land in the county. Unincorporated land is all land that is not within the town limits of a […]
Ridgeway elects mayor and two council members
April 6, 2022 By
RIDGEWAY – Ridgeway voters had their say during the town’s mayoral/council election on Tuesday. Incumbent Heath Cookendorfer was re-elected to a second term with a 10-vote margin. Cookendorfer received 53 votes over former Ridgeway councilman and mayor Rufus Jones who garnered 43 votes. Jones has served the last four years on council. His term expired […]
BHS teacher files for State Superintendent seat
March 31, 2022 By
COLUMBIA – Blythewood High School teacher Lisa Ellis has announced her candidacy to run for State Superintendent of Education on the Democratic ticket. Ellis is the founder of SC for Ed and led the state’s teachers in the fight last year for higher teacher salaries. Ellis has 21 years of experience in education, working as […]
Ridgeway election set for Tuesday, April 5
March 31, 2022 By
RIDGEWAY – Ridgeway voters will go to the polls next Tuesday, April 5 to cast their votes for two seats on Ridgeway Town Council and the office of mayor. Three candidates are running for two council seats and two candidates are running for mayor. Former council member Robert Hartman, current council member Dan Martin and […]
Whitaker falsely accuses Taylor of adding fee for solid waste to budget
March 31, 2022 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Administrator Malik Whitaker falsely blamed his predecessor for an ongoing dispute over solid waste fees. On Monday night, Whitaker called out Jason Taylor, now town manager for Winnsboro, for creating the fee and including it in the county’s 2021-2022 budget. “It should be noted that former County Administrator [Jason] Taylor suggested, […]
