Blythewood Online 691

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  • County announces staff changes

    Johnson

    WINNSBORO – Fairfield County administration has announced several staff changes regarding the vacant Deputy County Administrator position.

    Laura Johnson, who has served the county as Comptroller since 2002, will assume the position of Interim Deputy County Administrator. Johnson’s responsibilities will include project management, operational and financial oversight.

    Johnson is a Certified Public Accountant and has previously served in the State of South Carolina Auditor’s office as well as the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. Johnson is a graduate of Fairfield Central High and Winthrop University where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.

    Bass

    Anne Bass, who has served as Deputy Comptroller since 2011, replaces Johnson with the title of Interim Comptroller. Her responsibilities will include oversight of all financial operations as well as ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state and local regulations.

    Bass has previously served as the Director of Accounting and Director of Fiscal Services at Fairfield Memorial Hospital.  Bass is a graduate of Richard Winn Academy and Winthrop University where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting as well as a Master’s degree in Business Administration.

    Caulder

    Brad Caulder, who most recently served the county as Public Works Director, will assume the position of Human Resources Director, providing oversight of all employment and risk management programs, and ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state and county labor regulations.

    Caulder is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources and County Risk Manager. He has previously served Fairfield County as Human Resources Manager and has been employed with the county since 2003. Caulder is a graduate of Richard Winn Academy and the University of South Carolina where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

  • Council prioritizes park projects

    BLYTHEWOOD – After meeting recently with the Doko Meadows Park Foundation, Town Administrator Brian Cook suggested Monday evening that council might want to discuss priorities for additional park features.

    Constructing an area in the park for a farmer’s market, Cook said, would most likely be the top priority and a close second might be sound baffling for the back of the amphitheater. Council generally agreed on both points, but the sound baffling received more discussion than the market.

    “Wasn’t the number for sound baffling something like $7,500?” Mayor J. Michael Ross asked Steve Hasterok, Events Director for the Manor.

    Councilman Eddie, who is a member of the Park Foundation, answered the question.

    “I don’t know about the price,” Baughman said, but he questioned the need for sound baffling at all. “Other than being outside, down by the lake, I was in here (the Manor) Saturday night and there was no issue in here with the music that was going on in the park. I couldn’t hear it.”

    Baughman also suggested that instead of the baffling being something that the park foundation pays for, perhaps the town would take on that cost.

    “After all, the town would benefit from the baffling because we would be able to rent both venues out at the same time – the amphitheater and the Manor – if we had the baffling,” Baughman said.

    “Actually, I would think that the greater problem we would have with two events at the same time would be parking more than the sound,” Ross said. “And are you saying that we put up the baffling and if the band was playing in the amphitheater, that you would not be able to hear it from outside the Manor?” Ross asked.

    No one on council was sure of the answer.

    “Maybe we’ll try to come up with a dollar figure for the baffling and see if we think that it’s worth the cost,” Cook said.

    “Whoever provides a bid, let us go and see exactly what they’ve done in the past and is it working.” Councilman Brian Franklin said. “If it doesn’t block enough of the sound, then that’s a lot of money to spend for nothing. You’re going to have a very angry bride when she hears that banjo playing.”

  • School board OKs $2.3M bond

    WINNSBORO – Fairfield County School District leaders are borrowing another $2.3 million.

    At its July 16 meeting, the district’s board of trustees voted to issue a one-year general obligation bond totaling $2.3 million to finance various school building projects. The vote was unanimous.

    At the July 16 meeting, Kevin Robinson, the district’s finance director, said debt millage would remain at 20.6 mills, the same as last year, which wouldn’t result in any tax increases for residents.

    Robinson said the district requested the $2.3 million bond issue even though it has a surplus that exceeds $2 million. The surplus, he said, is being set aside to fund employee bonuses that were approved earlier this year.

    “So it’s to maintain a good cash flow,” Frick said at the meeting. “What we don’t want to do is budget these out of our surplus funds and something unexpected happens.”

    Bond money will help cover $600,000 in heating and air equipment at Fairfield Central, and also at Geiger, McCrorey Liston and Fairfield elementary schools. It also includes floor tile, carpets, signage and awning improvements at those elementary schools, as well as Fairfield Magnet and Kelly Miller Elementary. Another $50,000 in paving is included at Gordon Odyssey, Geiger Elementary and Fairfield Elementary.

    The bond covers several district wide projects as well:

    • $500,000 — Roof Recoating, Roof Repair Work
    • $300,000 — Computer, Chromebook, Servers, & Clear Touch Panel Replacement
    • $200,000 — Security cameras and door access hardware
    • $200,000 — Reconfigure to control hallway access to classrooms from front door

  • Winnsboro woman charged with animal cruelty

    WINNSBORO – A Winnsboro woman has been charged with Cruelty Towards Animals after one of her dogs was found dead in the street from unknown causes.

    Eileen Crim was arrested on Monday, July 8, after one of her dogs was reported laying on its back, dead, in the roadway in the Liberty Street area of Winnsboro, according to a report filed with the Winnsboro Department of Public Safety.

    The complainant stated that he observed a pit bull dog stiff and his “belly had busted open,” the report stated.

    WDPS officers speculated that the dog had been dead for several days. Officers said they heard a second dog barking from bushes by a nearby residence.

    The officers called the town’s sanitation department to remove the deceased dog and the other dog was picked up by Fairfield County Animal Control.

    On further investigation, officers stated in the report that neighbors said the two dogs were often left unattended without food and water and had no shelter from inclement weather. Officers stated they observed those conditions at the time of their visit to the property.

    While it was reported that Crim, or a member of her family, had since come to the Fairfield County Animal Shelter to retrieve the living dog, that dog remains in the custody of animal control pending a court date, according to Bob Innes, Director of Fairfield Animal Control.

  • Derek Pugh appointed to commission

    Pugh

    BLYTHEWOOD – Derek Pugh has been appointed to a vacancy on the Blythewood Planning Commission. Pugh previously served on the Board of Zoning Appeals. According to his bio, Pugh enjoys mapping out strategy for the town with other community leaders.

    A resident of Abney Hills neighborhood, Pugh previously served as the Programming Supervisor for Richland County Recreation Commission where he designed, implemented and supervised summer camp and after school programs.

    Pugh holds a Bachelor’s degree from Benedict College and a Master’s degree from Webster University. He will serve a three year term as a commissioner.

  • A Winnsboro Welcome

    WINNSBORO – Two exchange students, sponsored by the Winnsboro Lions Club and Bill and Linda Haslett, were recognized by County Council Monday night. Ida Marie Stertzel, center left, is from Denmark, and Gracie McRae is from Canada. The students made presentations about their countries. From left: Councilman Moses Bell, County Administrator Jason Taylor, Council members Clarence Gilbert, Bertha Goins and Douglas Pauley, sponsor Linda Haslett, Councilman Jimmy Ray Douglas, Council Chair Neil Robinson and sponsor Bill Haslett.

  • Back to Back Champs

    WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Council recognized the Fairfield County Parks and Recreation Department’s 12U and 8U SC RBI State Champion baseball teams at Monday night’s meeting. Russell Price, far right, Director of the Recreation Department, introduced the 12U team and Head Coach Chuck Raley, Asst. Coaches Jerry Douglas and Eric White and the 8U team and Head Coach Tro Hazen and Asst. Coaches Ab Hazen and Larry Johnson. This is the second year in a row the two teams have won state championships. Representing the department with Russell were Athletic Coordinator Lucas Vance, back left, and Athletic Specialist Larry Perry, left of Russell.

  • Two people killed in crash on SC Hwy 34

    WINNSBORO – Two people died in a three-car crash on S.C. Highway 34 Tuesday afternoon, according to the S.C. Highway Patrol.

    The crash occurred about 1 p.m. near Memory Lane in Winnsboro, according to Lance Cpl. David Jones of the S.C. Highway Patrol.

    A Toyota Corolla was traveling west on S.C. 34 when the driver attempted to pass another vehicle in a no-passing zone, Jones said. The Toyota hit an eastbound Dodge Journey in a head on crash, causing the Dodge to hit another vehicle, an eastbound Buick SUV.

    The accident is under investigation by the SC Highway Patrol. As The Voice has more information, it will be posted.

  • Man dies in apparent stabbing

    WINNSBORO – A Fairfield County man has died of injuries from what Sheriff’s officials say appears to be a stab wound.

    Sheriff’s deputies were called to a home on Jewel Street off Highway 34 at 4:50 p.m., Tuesday, July 23. The caller said his brother was bleeding and did not know how it happened or where the blood was coming from, the report stated.

    When Sheriff’s deputies arrived on the scene, they reported EMS personnel were trying to locate the wound. EMS later notified deputies that the victim had a large laceration on the inside of his left thigh that appeared to be a stab wound.

    The man was pronounced dead by EMS personnel on scene, and Sheriff’s deputies notified the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division who arrived on scene according to the incident report.

    The incident is being investigated by SLED and the Fairfield Coroner’s office.

    More information will be posted on The Voice’s website as it becomes available.

  • Winnsboro woman dies in house fire

    RICHLAND COUNTY – A Winnsboro woman died early this morning after being involved in a house fire on Lilton Road in Winnsboro. The address is in the Richland County service area and was covered by the Richland County Fire Service.

    Shari Austin, 65, died at the scene, according to Richland County Coroner Gary Watts. An autopsy indicated the cause of death to be carbon monoxide toxicity due to smoke inhalation.

    The Richland County Coroner’s office and the Richland County Fire Marshall’s office are investigating the incident.