WINNSBORO – According to reports from the S.C. Comptroller General, the state continues to withhold funding amid delays in the county completing its annual audit. The amount being withheld reportedly stands at about $700,000. County Administrator Malik Whitaker called it a “mini-crisis” in emails obtained by The Voice in February. “We have a mini-crisis situation […]
Whitaker threatens to stop accepting Town’s waste
March 3, 2022 By
Taylor: Town Prepared To Go To Court WINNSBORO – During county council’s meeting Monday night, County Administrator Malik Whitaker doubled down on the county’s position that the Town of Winnsboro owes over $60,000 in unpaid solid waste fees. In a letter to Winnsboro Town Manager Jason Taylor, dated Nov. 15, 2021, Whitaker wrote, “For the […]
Submit Fairfield County survey by March 7
March 2, 2022 By
FAIRFIELD COUNTY – The Fairfield County Community Development Department seeks public input on Fairfield County’s 2022 Comprehensive Plan. Residents have until Monday, March 7 to complete the online survey to voice concerns and opinions to community leaders. Along with an open comment section, some questions included in the survey are: “How would you rate the […]
Fairfield County Council agenda blunders multiply
February 17, 2022 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Council once again had to pull an agenda item at the last minute after failing to follow proper meeting procedures. At Monday night’s meeting, the council tabled third reading of an ordinance relating to the sale of property within the Fairfield County industrial park. The reason? Council had never held a […]
Whitaker: We’re in a mini crisis
February 17, 2022 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County is facing a financial “mini crisis” after failing to timely file required financial statements. That failure has resulted in the county’s FY2021 audit being held up, according to emails obtained by The Voice. In an email to council members, County Administrator Malik Whitaker said the county is six months tardy in […]
Bell, Pauley spar over budget, agenda and stamp machine
January 27, 2022 By
WINNSBORO – Hardly a meeting passes without some back and forth between Fairfield County Council Chairman Moses Bell and Councilman Doug Pauley. But Monday night’s meeting was especially contentious, with the two council members sparing over county policy, budgetary matters and public comment policies. Things got off to a rocky start during discussion of how […]
Fairfield Council hires Assistant Administrator
January 27, 2022 By
FAIRFIELD COUNTY – Fairfield County Administrator Malik Whitaker announced the hiring of Synithia Williams to be the Assistant County Administrator. Whitaker said her primary responsibility, however, will be to serve as the county’s public information officer. Williams is a nineteen year veteran of county and city government and currently works for the Richland County Public […]
Bell criticized for agenda faux pas
January 13, 2022 By
WINNSBORO – Audio glitches and continued issues of transparency marred an otherwise brisk Fairfield County Council meeting Monday night. In a series of votes, council members passed first reading of several ordinances with several glaring information gaps. Four ordinances related to economic development, including one that appropriated $500,000 to the county’s economic development department. A […]
Bell disregards citizens pleas to postpone vote finalizing redistricting
December 16, 2021 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County adopted a redistricting plan Monday night that some say is designed to preserve the current council voting majority. By a 5-2 vote, Neil Robinson joined the majority 4 to approve the new district lines. Councilman Douglas Pauley and Clarence Gilbert opposed. Pauley and Gilbert tried to amend the agenda to table […]
Council, residents accuse Bell of shutting them out, rushing redistricting
December 9, 2021 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County scheduled Monday night’s public hearing on redistricting hoping to quell recent complaints of secrecy and personal politics. Instead, more evidence arose illustrating that the proposed plan to redraw district lines may be politically motivated. One proposed change shifts the street of a potential challenger of Council Chairman Moses Bell, ceding it […]
