Blythewood Online 691

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  • Chairman contests response to proposed ordinance

    WINNSBORO – Fairfield County is shooing any notion that it’s trying to coax the Town of Winnsboro into adopting the tougher animal control laws that the County is considering.

    But that’s the perception Winnsboro Town Council expressed during its June 5 meeting.

    Mayor Roger Gaddy called the county’s proposed ordinance “cumbersome,” and he and other council members questioned the town’s ability to enact it.

    County Council Chairman Billy Smith, however, said the ordinance is in the very early proposal stages.

    Smith said it’s subject to change, and there aren’t any plans to nudge Winnsboro into passing a similar measure. He was especially surprised the document was presented and debated by Winnsboro Town Council.

    “I think that discussion was probably premature,” Smith said, noting he first learned about the Winnsboro discussion by reading about it in The Voice.

    Smith said staff prepared the draft ordinance, and that it hasn’t been presented to county council.

    “We haven’t even seen it (the ordinance),” he said. “I was told it was not something meant to go to any other council.”

    At its June 5 council meeting, the Winnsboro Town Council accepted as information a proposed county ordinance it said was aimed at strengthening animal control regulations.

    Gaddy held a copy of the proposed ordinance in his hands as he told council members about the county’s request.

    He and others, though, expressed concerns about the town’s ability to enforce a stricter animal control ordinance.

    “I think the ordinance is relatively lengthy and cumbersome and may impose some difficulty and cost in enforcing it,” Gaddy said. “We still have to deal with issues with animal control without passing something consistent with the county.”

    Gaddy also opposed a provision that limits dog ownership to three, noting he owns six dogs.

    “I don’t want an ordinance limiting the number of dogs I have as long as they behave and believe me, they’re treated right,” the mayor said.

    During the meeting, council members expressed general support for prosecuting overt acts of animal cruelty, but were reluctant to implement comprehensive changes to the law.

    Winnsboro Police Chief John Seibles said manpower remains a challenge, noting the town doesn’t have a full-time animal control officer.

    Seibles also said fines don’t always deter lawbreakers, noting penalties are set “at the discretion of the court.”

    Animal control and financial data, and how it relates to the number of animals the county houses, are elements that Fairfield County officials are reviewing with its proposed ordinance.

    Smith declined to comment about specific numbers, but acknowledged he’s interested in learning the percentage of animal calls originating from within Winnsboro town limits that county officers respond to and foots the bills for.

    “I have the concern, but I want to figure out to what extent,” he said.

  • Dispose of meds at Town Hall

    BLYTHEWOOD – As a pharmacist by profession, Mayor J. Michael Ross is concerned about proper disposal of all drugs, even those that were prescribed but never finished for one reason or another and are sitting in a cabinet unprotected.

    To help break the chain of illicit access and to help curb the opioid epidemic that is both national and Blythewood local, the mayor has contracted with DisposeRx to provide homes in the Blythewood area with a process where families can effortlessly be part of the ‘access’ solution.

    DisposeRx has developed a prescription drug disposal solution that both physically and chemically binds medications into a permanent and environmentally safe gel. The packets are formulated to be used with tablets, powders, capsules, patches and liquid medications and are available FREE at Town Hall. Stop by and pick up a packet today or call Julie Emory at 803-754-0501 if you have questions.

  • Town of Winnsboro resists tougher animal control laws

    WINNSBORO – Winnsboro leaders think Fairfield County is barking up the wrong tree by asking the town to emulate the county’s animal control ordinance.

    On Monday night, Winnsboro Town Council members resisted the request, saying the county’s law is overly superfluous and restrictive.

    “I think the ordinance is relatively lengthy and cumbersome and may impose some difficulty and cost in enforcing it,” said Winnsboro Mayor Roger Gaddy. “We still have to deal with issues with animal control without passing something consistent with the county.”

    For example, Gaddy said he opposes a provision that would limit households to owning three dogs or less.

    “I have six, and as far as I know they’re not a nuisance,” Gaddy said. “I don’t want an ordinance limiting the number of dogs I have as long as they behave and believe me, they’re treated right.”

    Councilman John McMeekin said he was open to enacting a reasonable animal control ordinance, but noted the town needs adequate resources to enforce the law.

    Councilman Clyde Sanders agreed with Gaddy that the county law was burdensome, but also said he’d support higher fines for animal abuse. He proposed increasing animal cruelty fines to $500.

    “The one thing I would like to see the town do is have a fine of that amount,” Sanders said. “I can’t stand seeing dogs chained in the yard without anything to eat. If we catch someone, the fine ought to be high enough to prevent them from doing it.”

    Winnsboro Police Chief John Seibles said officers handle several animal cruelty cases, including a few felonies. He noted manpower is the greatest challenge.

    “We don’t have a full-time dedicated animal control officer, though our officers do a good job with that,” Seibles said. “If it is on the books, we’d be charged with enforcing it in some kind of way, but we don’t have the means to.”

    Council members accepted the county’s request as information, but took no action.

    “We have ordinances on the books that we don’t enforce now unless someone complains about it,” Gaddy said. “I don’t want us to vote on something if we’re not able to fulfill the letter of the law.”

    In other business, the council voted unanimously to appoint McMeekin as an ex-officio member to the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce.

    The vote mirrors a similar action Fairfield County Council took last month.

    On May 14, the council voted to authorize the chairman to appoint a county council member to the board as a condition of receiving its annual grant of $87,507 in its entirety.

    The county’s appointee can vote, but cannot hold an office, such as president or secretary. The town’s appointee, however, would serve as an ex-officio member with no voting powers.

    “I think it would be a great idea. I think it would help give the chamber input from the town, and give a liaison from the town the opportunity to let us know what’s going on with the chamber,” Gaddy said. “There can be a line of communication, but not conflicted when it comes to voting on matters affecting the chamber.”

    First reading of the budget and annual tax levy by title only was also on the agenda Monday night.

    Second reading and a public hearing on both budget ordinances will take place at the next council meeting.

  • Commision endorses vendor ordinance

    BLYTHEWOOD – After more than a year of handwringing over whether to allow temporary vendors in the Town Center District, the Planning Commissioners voted Monday night to recommend that Council adopt the City of Columbia’s vending ordinance, presented by Town Administrator Brian Cook, with a few tweaks. That modified ordinance, basically, allows temporary vendors and food trucks the same rights and privileges as brick and mortar buildings, but with almost none of the costly architectural or other restrictions imposed on brick and mortar buildings.

    That modified vendor ordinance would allow vendors to sell merchandise, goods, services, or forms of amusement from a temporary structure, such as a tent, awning, canopy, umbrella, stand, booth, cart, trailer, from a vehicle, or from his person. A temporary vendor does not include a person who conducts the majority of his business from within a permanent and enclosed building located upon the same lot.

    Unlike brick and mortar buildings, vendors would not be required to provide handicap restrooms or any restrooms at all.

    While the Commissioners initially worried that aesthetics of temporary vendor’s vehicles, tents, trailers, etc, could become a problem, they concluded that aesthetics for vendors would be too difficult to regulate by ordinance and moved on. Brick and mortar buildings in the Town Center District are required to adhere to certain types, quality and colors of building materials, architectural styles, signage, lighting and landscaping. There are no such restrictions on vendor vehicles, tents, trailers, etc.

    Cook said he presented the same modified ordinance to the Board of Architectural Review two weeks ago and they expressed concern regarding the fairness issue when it came to food trucks locating within 100 feet of a brick and mortar food establishment.  The Commissioners responded by requiring a distance of 250 feet between vendors and certain businesses.

    Commission member Rich McKenrick suggested that multiple temporary vendors might want to set up on a single property.  Cook indicated that the ordinance itself did not prohibit that but that other restrictions regarding number of parking places, safety regarding ingress and egress would apply.  The modified ordinance also restricts vendors from operating within 400 feet of residences.

    After flirting with a few concerns, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to adopt the modified City of Columbus ordinance with the following tweaks:

    Allow the Town Administrator to have sole authority to give written permission for a temporary vendor to operate in the Town Center District,

    Increase the distance between a vendor and the front door of a lawfully established restaurant from 100 feet to 250 feet, and

    Limit occupancy of a vendor to no more than 10 hours a day (24 hours). At all other times the vendors must vacate the parcel they occupy.

    It was confirmed by the Planning Commission Chairman, Donald Brock, that the modified ordinance would not affect Grace Coffee. After Grace Coffee refused to continue moving its trailer off the parcel every night as it had initially agreed to do, Cook interpreted the Town’s zoning laws to confirm that Grace Coffee is now a business in good standing, compliant with the Town’s necessary zoning approvals.

    Town Council will vote on the Commission’s recommendation on the vendor ordinance at its next regular meeting on June 25.

  • AG + Art brings back Farm-to-Table dinner

    The Pearl of Monticello will play host for this year’s farm-to-table dinner.

    JENKINSVILLE – The third annual Fairfield County Ag + Art farm-to-table dinner will be held Thursday, June 14, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Pearl of Monticello, formerly known as the Robinson House, a majestic two-story, circa 1810 federal style home designed by Robert Mills and situated on a rise overlooking Lake Monticello.

    A previous farm-to-table dinner table was set under the Town Clock, above.

    It’s the kick-off event for the annual Ag + Art Farm Tour that will take place the following weekend, and promises to be memorable, not only for the glamorous setting but for the six-course meal served Tapas style (one plate per course – six plates!) on the lawn adjacent to the mansion. And every course will be homegrown or otherwise produced in Fairfield County.

    Guests will arrive along a drive shaded by majestic live oak and pecan trees, to an evening of musical entertainment and a sumptuous meal of meats and fresh fruits and vegetables, all produced by local farmers and prepared by caterer Steelhorse Smokehouse. And the glorious sunset on the lake will not disappoint.

    The menu includes: cobb salad, deviled eggs, pulled pork sliders, open face with coleslaw, smoked meatballs braised in sauce and served over yellow stone-ground grits, chicken and dumplings, ham and pineapple skewers and decadent desserts.

    Entertainment will begin at 6 p.m. with 16-year-old Sofia Lynch, an accomplished singer/songwriter who plays guitar, piano, ukulele and bass guitar.  She recently released her new single, ‘Curiosity.’

    Special guest Luke Moore will be playing country music.

    The Pearl of Monticello is located at 5264 State Highway 215 S, Jenkinsville, SC 29065.  To order tickets go to www.eventbrite.com.

    The Pearl at Monticello will also be one of the 8 farms and locations on the self-guided Ag + Art Farm Tour weekend in Fairfield County on Saturday, June 16 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, June 17, from 1 to 5 p.m. Each farm location will also feature local artisans and artists.

  • JWC awards $645,000 contract for new well

    JENKINSVILLE—A Sumter County plumbing company has been tapped to install a new well for the Jenkinsville Water Company.

    The JWC board of directors voted unanimously at its monthly meeting Monday to award the contract to Barwick Plumbing Company LLC.

    JWC’s contract with the Pinewood-based firm is $645,446, said Gregrey Ginyard, president of the water company. The new well would be located off S.C. 215.

    The vote came following an executive session that lasted about 40 minutes. Bids for the project were unsealed at a meeting that was held May 15.

    Four firms submitted bids. It was unclear how Barwick’s bid stacked up against the others.

    Monday night’s vote didn’t come without some protest from D. Melton with the Broad River Campground.

    A frequent critic of the water company, Melton asked the board why the May 15 bid unsealing wasn’t publicized. During the May meeting,

    Ginyard said the May 15 meeting would be public, but he never specified a time and The Voice didn’t receive public notice of the meeting.

    Melton also asked the board and staff about a sizeable jump in water usage.

    JWC water operator James Green said during a report that water usage climbed to 4.27 million gallons in May, an increase of about 1 million gallons from the previous month.

    Green said a recently placed pump at the Clowney Road Well generated the extra water.

    When Melton pressed for more details, Ginyard directed Green not to answer.

    “Don’t answer that question,” Ginyard said.

    Pressed by Melton, Ginyard scolded Melton for asking questions during public input. He said any questions must be submitted in writing prior to the meeting.

    “This is not a question-answer session,” Ginyard said.

    “Why do people come to the board meeting if they can’t get any answers?” Melton shot back. “Why would a member come to this meeting if they can’t get any information back? Why all the secrecy?”

    Melton has a pair of pending lawsuits against the water company. One contests the JWC’s water usage calculations; the other states the JWC routinely violates the state’s Freedom of Information Act by holding secret meetings and refusing to release public records.

    The JWC has said in court filings and during recent meetings that it’s not a public body subject to FOIA.

    In 2011, S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson issued a formal opinion stating the water company is a public body subject to FOIA.

    Also at Monday’s meeting, Ginyard reported that Mid-County Water Company of Winnsboro approved a rate increase of 24 cents per 1,000 gallons of water. He said it’s the second rate increase this year.

    JWC contracts with Mid-County to draw 100,000 gallons a year, but Ginyard said the JWC isn’t using that much.

    “I think the reason for [the increase] is we’re not using any Mid-County water,” he said. “We’re not even using 100,000, so I guess that had something to do with the increase, but there’s nothing to do about it but pay.”

  • Former Bengal drafted 17th in MLB

    CARY, NC – Former Blythewood Bengals starting quarterback and current Green Hope High standout Jordyn Adams did not have a long wait before hearing his name called in the first round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft. The Los Angeles Angels picked up Adams with the 17th overall selection.

    Adams was a standout in baseball and football as a Bengal.

    Adams hit for .453 this season with a .602 on base percentage, a .640 slugging percentage, stole 31 bases and had 29 runs, all team highs. He also set a single game school record with five stolen bases in one game.

    Before the MLB draft, Adams signed with the University of North Carolina in the fall to play football and baseball. He was the number eight ranked football prospect at the receiver position, and the second highest rated player in the University of North Carolina’s 2018 recruiting class. His father Deke is the defensive line coach at UNC.

    Adams is set to graduate from Green Hope High on June 13 and will have to decide if he will pursue his college plans or begin a professional baseball career. According to MLB slot value projections Adams is expected to be offered a contract of $3,472,900.

  • Council pulls plug on clear cutting

    BLYTHEWOOD – After months of discussion and angst over what the town attorney said is a loophole in the Town’s landscape and tree preservation ordinance, council voted 5-0 last week to amend the ordinance by repealing Section 155.390 (H). That section exempted certain projects from landscaping yard requirements that allowed developer D.R. Horton to clear cut a number of residential lots in the Cobblestone Park neighborhood.

    While citizens in Cobblestone applaud the removal of Sec. (H), developers have rallied to keep it.

    “If, as a municipality, you start changing ordinances on a whim, investors, businesses and developers will lose faith and interest in this market for fear the rules will be changed on them during their projects,” D.R. Horton representative Jessie Bray said.

    Mayor J. Michael Ross, who lives in Cobblestone and whose property abuts some of the lots that were clear cut, said citizens in Blythewood don’t want clear cutting in their neighborhoods

    “You say if we do this, developers won’t come,” Ross said. “I’ll bet every one of these people sitting here tonight could care less if another developer came here. We don’t want that kind of development.”

    Cobblestone resident Lenora Zedowski agreed.

    “Developers come and go,” Zedowski said.  “We are the permanent residents of Blythewood. Please repeal section (H).”

    Council and residents say section (H), which was adopted in 2015, is an unintended loophole in the ordinance that allows developers to clear cut lots. The Planning Commission, however, agreed with the developers and voted to recommend Council not delete Section (H).

    Section (H) states that those projects are exempt ‘which have received major subdivision or site plan approval prior to the effective date of this subchapter and amended major subdivision and site plans.’

  • Winnsboro man arrested after deadly crash

    WINNSBORO – A Winnsboro man has been charged with DUI/felony driving under the influence, resulting in a death.

    Jones

    Omar Rashad Jones, 31, was arrested May 25 following an accident that occurred about 2:25 a.m. on Feb. 11 in Fairfield County. Jones was reported to be driving a 2003 Cadillac south on Old Douglas Road when his vehicle traveled off the right side of the road. Jones lost control of the vehicle and then travelled off the left side of the road, overturned and struck an embankment.

    A passenger in Jones’ car was pronounced dead at the scene. Jones was injured and transported to Fairfield Memorial Hospital. Neither Jones nor the passenger were wearing seatbelts.

    After an investigation by the Highway Patrol was completed, Jones was arrested, then released on a $25,000 bond.

  • Kroger hit by armed robber

    BLYTHEWOOD – A suspect wanted in connection with a strong-armed robbery at about 2:20 a.m. on May 22, rammed a grocery cart into an employee and ran from the store with a cart full of items from the Kroger store on Roberts Branch Parkway just off Killian Road.

    The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the community’s help in identifying the suspect, who was recorded on a surveillance camera fleeing the store (view video here) with approximately $100 worth of goods in a grocery cart.

    If you have any information about this incident, please contact Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME SC (888-274-6372).