The controversial change of the animal ordinance was unknown to the vast majority of the citizens of Fairfield County until the AKC posted and opposed it on the internet. Thanks to the AKC, dog owners were alerted before the second reading that allows public comment. Once Fairfield County dog owners read the ordinance, they showed […]
Guest Editorial AKC is not an animal welfare organization
September 26, 2024 By
I feel an obligation to respond publicly to a national organization’s opposition to our county’s attempt to improve animal welfare. This year a very important animal welfare bill called Cost of Care, was introduced to the Senate. I tell you this because the American Kennel Club (AKC) strongly opposed the bill and lobbied for its […]
Letter: Adopt Revised Ord. 828
September 26, 2024 By
Although ordinance 828 needs tweaking, it must not be swept under the rug because of outspoken citizens opposing it as observed Monday night. The ordinance can be tweaked for dogs protecting livestock, reputable breeding establishments, and reputable hunters as well as fees. However, keep in mind that not everyone in the aforementioned groups are necessarily […]
Letter: Let’s Hear From All Citizens!
September 26, 2024 By
Monday’s county council meeting was attended by the most citizens of all the meetings I’ve been to. When I got to the speakers’ signup sheet, names were already halfway down the backside of the page. The citizens really came out to speak about the revised animal ordinance and it was a great sight! Obviously, the […]
Letter: It Takes a Village
September 19, 2024 By
When I acted up in school, I got disciplined by EVERYBODY. My teacher, your teacher, teachers I didn’t even know, the principal, the custodian, the bus driver, the school secretary, all of these people either fussed or laid hands on me, and I ain’t talking about praying. No matter where a kid got out of […]
Guest Editorial: One of the Most Significant Moments in American History
September 19, 2024 By
The Civil War was the darkest period in American history. But from the midst of the horror came a moment of hope. Sunday marks the anniversary of the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Lincoln on Sept. 22, 1862, just five days after the battle of Antietam, the bloodiest single day in American history. The […]
Guest Editorial: 9/11 by The Numbers
September 11, 2024 By
The casualties from the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 were diverse in many ways. The deaths represented most U.S. states as well as 77 countries, a host of occupations, and a wide array of personal backgrounds. A total of 2,977 individuals lost their lives on that morning, including 2,606 at the World Trade Center, […]
Guest Editorial: Lock ’em up and throw away the key
September 5, 2024 By
Now that the state of South Carolina has three court-approved methods that a condemned convict can choose from to meet his maker, it’s curious lawmakers didn’t consider a tried-and-true method of execution so gruesome that it should be certain to have a deterrent effect: the guillotine. South Carolina is scheduled to get back into the […]
Letter: Council must consider animals’ welfare!
August 29, 2024 By
Fairfield County’s animal welfare efforts have been stalled for years due to a lack of progress on the comprehensive animal ordinance and the construction of a new animal shelter. Despite being on the agenda for the County Council’s Monday meeting, the ordinance was again delayed and the shelter discussion was removed from the agenda entirely. […]
Letter: Small Things Matter
August 22, 2024 By
“If you’re too big to do the small things, then you’re too small to do the big things.” I don’t know who deserves the credit for this, but it’s powerful in its simplicity and meaning. Let’s consider the “small thing” example of revising the county council regular meeting agenda items outside of a public meeting […]
