WINNSBORO – After two votes four days apart, the Winnsboro town council got it right – hiring Fairfield County Administrator Jason Taylor as its new town manager effective July 5, 2021. The announcement of Taylor’s hiring was emailed to The Voice on April 9 after the first vote which occurred just a few hours after […]
Council eyes slashing budget
April 15, 2021 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County staff say they’ve potentially found up to $750,000 in debt collection revenue that could help plug a $3.5 million deficit in the proposed 2022 budget. At a budget meeting Tuesday, County Administrator Jason Taylor reported the former Fairfield Community Hospital still owes the county about $1.26 million. Up to half, or […]
County preparing leaner budget
April 1, 2021 By
WINNSBORO – Budget cuts, dipping into reserves and raising taxes emerged as early possible solutions to another projected multi-million dollar shortfall in Fairfield County’s budget. Still, county staff remained hopeful that federal aid, economic development and possibly selling county property could help the county patch budgetary gaps. In a recent budget meeting, County Administrator Jason […]
The Voice is latest target of County Council majority’s purge
March 25, 2021 By
WINNSBORO – The Voice newspaper is the latest head to roll under Fairfield County’s new council majority that was seated in January. Last week, the following announcement was posted on the county’s Facebook page: “Please be aware, effective immediately, Fairfield County will no longer use The Voice of Fairfield County for ads and legal notices…” […]
Councilman Pauley calls Bell out for pulling advertisements from The Voice
March 25, 2021 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County’s decision to publish public notices in a newspaper with a smaller reach than The Voice’s runs contrary to state law, according to a County Council member and S.C. Attorney General opinions. At Monday night’s council meeting, Councilman Douglas Pauley accused Council Chairman Moses Bell of pulling legal notices from The Voice […]
Promise Program eligibility expanded
March 25, 2021 By
WINNSBORO – Council members voted unanimously to amend its memorandum of understanding relating to the Promise Program, extending eligibility from 12 months to 36 months after graduation. County Administrator Jason Taylor said the program, which aims to provide a college education free of cost to qualifying Fairfield County students, is suffering from poor participation. “Right […]
Emergency ordinance fails again
March 25, 2021 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Council once again voted against reinstating the county’s emergency COVID-19 ordinance. The vote was 4-3, but because it’s an emergency ordinance, a two-thirds majority (five votes) is required. Council members supporting the ordinance say it’s necessary to protect county employees and the public from contracting the novel coronavirus. Those opposed to […]
Developer: County could be on the hook for millions if it breaks Mt. Zion contract
March 18, 2021 By
WINNSBORO – After weeks of publicly claiming that the cost of renovating Mt. Zion is unknown, County Councilman Moses Bell and the three-member ad hoc committee he appointed to find out those costs, were reminded Monday night that the cost information is readily available to the public. Rory Dowling, principal of 1st and Main which […]
COVID-19 statute fails… again
March 11, 2021 By
WINNSBORO – Members of the public are once again welcome at Fairfield County council meetings despite objections from some office holders. On Monday night, council members voted 3-3 on a motion to renew the county’s emergency COVID-19 ordinance. The tie vote constituted a failed vote. Councilman Mikel Trapp was absent. Council Chairman Moses Bell and […]
Above and Beyond
March 11, 2021 By
WINNSBORO – Charles ‘Rowdy’ Harris, the Lake Wateree Park Manager, center, is congratulated by members of county council after he received the S.C. State Park Service Director’s Award. The award is presented each year to the park employee who has gone above and beyond. Harris has managed a new campground and new challenges associated with […]
