Council Chairman Moses Bell says the cost of the Mt. Zion contract is unknown and has appointed an ad hoc committee to determine those costs. That information, county officials say, has been readily available from the county and from the developer. WINNSBORO – During a Feb. 10 county council special called meeting, Council Chairman Moses […]
Council Chairman handpicked attorney for council vote
February 26, 2021 By
WINNSBORO – Charles Boykin helped elect, and then re-elect, a state lawmaker who later wrote him a glowing letter of recommendation for the Fairfield County attorney position, according to documents obtained by The Voice. In 2018 and 2020, Boykin donated to the campaign of state Rep. Annie McDaniel, who represents Fairfield County. Boykin contributed $100 […]
Bender: Fairfield ad hoc committee meeting likely illegal on 3 levels
February 26, 2021 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Council likely violated several provisions of state law when it shut out the public in hiring a new county attorney, according to an opposing council member and a media law attorney. In doing so, council members risk costly litigation challenging the process and nullifying related votes, observers say. At a special […]
Fairfield County Rec. Department opens fitness center
February 25, 2021 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Parks and Recreation has opened a state-of-the-art Community Fitness Center located adjacent to the athletic fields at Drawdy Park at 795 5th Street behind the County building in Winnsboro. The facility covers 5,000 square feet with an exercise room that features over a dozen machines that help with cardio training, weight […]
Monday night’s County Council meeting open to public
February 22, 2021 By
WINNSBORO – After an emergency ordinance proposed at Fairfield County Council’s last meeting failed to receive the votes required to pass, Council chambers will be open to citizen attendance at tonight’s meeting for the first time in nearly a year. Tonight’s meeting will begin at 6:00 in council chambers at the County Government Complex, 350 Columbia […]
Doug Pauley’s ‘Rubber Stamp’ speech highlights Feb. 19 council meeting
February 19, 2021 By
WINNSBORO – In a contentious special called meeting Thursday night, county council voted 4-3 to hire an attorney to replace the county’s current attorney Tommy Morgan who resigned earlier this month after he was pressured to leave. In a speech to council Thursday night that Councilman Douglas Pauley said would be more transparent than some […]
Bell calls for review of Mt. Zion contract costs
February 18, 2021 By
WINNSBORO – Cancelling plans for a new county building would trigger litigation that could cost Fairfield County upwards of $13 million, some council members say. “If the ultimate goal is to tear down this project, we’re probably looking at a $13 million lawsuit we can’t afford,” Councilman Neil Robinson said during a special meeting Feb. […]
Council’s ‘passed’ 4-3 vote fails
February 18, 2021 By
Failed Vote Leaves County Without COVID Emergency Ordinance WINNSBORO – A 4-3 vote by council misfired at the Feb. 8 council meeting, leaving the county without a restrictive emergency ordinance that has required face masks, social distancing and other COVID-19 protections for Fairfield citizens for the last 11 months. Fairfield Councilman Douglas Pauley cautioned at […]
Bell likens community opposition to Jan. 6 insurrection at the nation’s capitol
February 10, 2021 By
WINNSBORO – Politicking and personal attacks permeated yet another contentious Fairfield County Council meeting. Following an announcement that county attorney Tommy Morgan was resigning, as well as efforts to shorten County Administrator Jason Taylor’s contract, Councilman Douglas Pauley placed the blame of the recent turmoil squarely on Council Chairman Moses Bell. “I had heard that […]
Fairfield County Attorney resigns under pressure
February 4, 2021 By
WINNSBORO – In an email to County Administrator Jason Taylor Thursday morning, County Attorney Thomas (Tommy) Morgan submitted his resignation, effective March 1, 2021. In his email, Morgan cited fallout from the recent election as contributing to his decision. “The recent elections have changed the political landscape of Fairfield County,” Morgan wrote. “As frequently noted, […]
