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  • Celebration kicks off Relay for Life

    BLYTHEWOOD – Cancer survivors and their friends and relatives converged at Doko Manor on the afternoon of Sunday, Jan. 21 to kick off the 2018 Relay for Life of Blythewood. Munching on pizza, winning door prizes and telling their stories, participants celebrated those who have been touched by cancer, remembered love ones lost and talked about ways to take action for lifesaving change.

    The main event (the relay) for 2018 is scheduled for May 11 and will be hosted for the first time at Doko Meadows Park. The theme will be ‘Rock and Roll over Cancer.’

    Teams, sponsors, volunteers, cancer survivors and caregivers are needed to make the event engaging and successful, said organizer Stephanie Reely.

    “Funds raised help the American Cancer Society attack cancer in dozens of ways, each of them critical to achieving a world without cancer,” Reely said, “from developing breakthrough therapies to building supportive communities, from providing empowering resources to deploying activists to raise awareness.”

    Dr. Cheryl Guy, Principal of Westwood High School and one of the organizers of the Blythewood event, said the move to Doko Park this year from the athletic field at Blythewood High School was to make the event more central to the whole community.

    “Here, we’re in the middle of the town and will be very visible and easy to find,” Guy said. “We’re looking for a great turnout again this year.”

    To volunteer or to make plans to participate in the relay in May, go to RelayForLife.org/blythewoodsc, call Stephanie Reely at 803-678-4174 or email Stephanie.reely@cancer.org.

  • FMH finances still sliding; New FMH fund request may be near

    WINNSBORO – A presentation of Fairfield Memorial Hospital’s increasingly difficult financial situation during recent Board meetings indicates that the Board may be inching closer to having to ask County Council for a new infusion of funds. So far, a funding request has not been discussed in public meetings. Sources say a funding request could come as early as February.

    Meanwhile, the hospital’s December financial statement continued to show how FMH is shrinking since it closed Blue Granite Medical Center, cardiac rehab services, and its home health business. The hospital reported a net operating loss for December of $225,886; this did not include any bad debt recoveries. However, this loss was improved from November which showed a $421,171 operating loss.  Average daily gross revenues also increased slightly, from $32,045 in November to $33,431 in December.

    While the hospital has reduced operating costs by $388,115 so far this fiscal year, gross patient service revenues have fallen even faster, by $886,484 during the same period.  Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for the past three months were a negative $634,538.

    Remarkably, there was no public discussion about how the hospital could potentially plug this hole in the face of continually shrinking revenues.

    However, chief financial officer Timothy Mitchell said he is already seeing positive trends in January as a result of shedding those hospital services which were losing money.  The Finance and Audit Committee also approved a revised fiscal year budget to reflect the changes in hospital operations.

    Ground breaking for new ER Feb. 15

    The ground breaking for the new Providence Health free-standing emergency department will be Feb. 15 at property located across the street from the Winnsboro Bi-Lo.

  • County OKs deed for Mt Zion

    WINNSBORO – County Council voted 5-2 Monday night to accept transfer of the deed for the Mt. Zion property from 1st and Main Development Group, should the renovation of Mt. Zion prove, in the end, not to be feasible. Mikel Trapp and Neal Robinson voted against the County accepting the deed.

    During County Council time, however, Robinson said, “I’m definitely for the renovation of Mt. Zion because I see the potential. We definitely have to move forward with it. This [current administration] building is falling apart. I helped put out two fires here when I was with the Sheriff’s Department,” he joked.

    Robinson said he received many emails concerning the vote.

    “And I got more emails for the renovation than I got against it,” Robinson said.

    Trapp said he needed more information on the project.

    The vote paved the way for the County to explore the possibility of restoring the dilapidated school building to accommodate a county complex that would include 10,000 square feet of office space over what the county now has. The cost of that exploration would be borne by the developer who has 180 days to come up with a plan and a price for the project with an allowance for extra time if needed. If the County agrees to the proposed plan and price of the renovation, the developer will proceed with the project, bearing the entire cost to completion.

    At that point, under a lease/purchase agreement, the County will lease the facility from the developer until the renovated property is paid for, after which time the County will own the property and building.

    “Should the County not decide to go forward with the project,” County Council Chairman Billy Smith clarified following the meeting, “the deed would transfer to the County and it would be the County’s responsibility to demolish the building, if desired.”

    Smith also said there had been discussions with Town of Winnsboro officials who had expressed a willingness to share in the cost of the demolition of Mt. Zion, estimated at around $200,000, if necessary.

    While two residents, Shirley Green and Renee Green, spoke during public comment time, asking Council to not accept the deed and to not go forward with the renovation, resident Pat Curlee spoke in favor of the renovation.

    “Construction of an administration building is not an economic driver for downtown Winnsboro,” Shirley Green said. “The administration building is already in the town…Everything is hypothetical…if the plan is acceptable, if the plan is cost effective. It’s a construction scheme,” she said, also alluding that the County would be purchasing the property without knowing the price.

    “That couldn’t be further from the fact,” Smith said during County Council time. “The plan is to have a proposal from 1st and Main Development Group and at that time we will learn the price of what we’d be getting ourselves into and we would vote, at that time, up or down, whether to proceed with the project. And, in my mind, community development is economic development, and this is absolutely good, positive, community development for the town as well as the county,” Smith said.

    Renee Green addressed integrity and suggested the County should not spend money on construction or destruction of Mt. Zion, but should expand the current administration building. She also suggested the County might not be able to move the confederate monument that occupies space adjacent to the Mt. Zion property.

    “That monument is not even on our land. It is on state land,” she said.

    Smith countered Green’s claim, stating that the state does not own the land the monument sits on.

    Both Trapp and Councilman Dan Ruff sought documented assurances that the monument will be moved if the County goes forward with the plan.

    “We are committed to moving the monument, and the Town has said that they would be willing to allow us to do so,” County Administrator Jason Taylor said.

    “If there is a way to compromise and everyone can be happy, we can set an example that we are trying to work together to make something good happen,” Ruff said.

    Smith agreed. “Everyone on this council has said they would do everything they could, as a part of this project, to have the monument moved,” Smith said.

    A & F Committee Report

    Following the regular Council meeting, the Administration & Finance Committee voted to move forward to accept the deed of ownership for Garden Street Park from the Town of Winnsboro.

    It also voted to defer a vote on whether to accept ownership of the swimming pool in Fortune Springs Park from the Town until the next meeting to gather more information about the cost and timing of renovating the pool.

    The committee also agreed to recommend that Council adjust the pay scale of EMS employees, revise the County’s procurement manual and establish procedures to expend funds appropriated by Fairfield County in its annual fiscal budget for collaborative capital public works projects.

  • $48,000 A-Tax funds awarded

    BLYTHEWOOD – Council approved the Accommodations Tax (A-Tax) Committee’s recommendations for a total of $48,000 for four events to be held in the Town in March and April. Bravo Blythewood requested three of the awards.

    Of the $48,000 awards, $20,000 went to The University of South Carolina for two-day rental of two video boards ($10,000 each) for the Southeast Conference Equestrian Championships to be held at One-Wood Farm in Blythewood on Friday, March 30 and Saturday, March 31.

    Martha Jones, president of Bravo Blythewood, requested the funds for the University. She said the two giant video boards would be situated in the two main arenas to show what is happening in the other arena(s). The participating teams, she said, will include USC, Texas A&M University, University of Georgia and Auburn University with more than 120 athletes and their families representing over 35 states, Canada and the Bahamas.

    Jones said 3,000 people are expected to attend over the two-day period.

    Theatre Blythewood

    Council also awarded $4,000 toward theater production costs of $18,000 to establish Theatre Blythewood, a small professional theater that Jones said will “allow for using community people at all theatrical levels as well as professional performers.” Theatre Blythewood will operate under the Bravo Blythewood umbrella.

    Jones said the remaining $14,000 of revenue to cover the $18,000 production costs will be provided through ticket sales ($4,900) and sponsorships ($9,100).

    The launching of Theatre Blythewood will begin April 12 – 22 with the production of seven performances of ‘Collected Stories,’ written by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Donald Margulies and performed at Westwood High School.

    A second production of ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie,’ is set for April 28 and will be produced in conjunction with Freeway Music. Jones said that production may possibly be held in the Palmetto Citizens Amphitheatre.

    Jones said the production budget for ‘Collected Stories’ is $14,641 and the production budget for ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ is $3,360 for a total cost of $17,801.

    Jones said, she did not know at this point how much of the production expenses for ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ would be contributed by Freeway Music.

    “We expect there will be other production costs besides the $3,360, so we would be talking to Freeway Music about those expenses,” Jones told The Voice.

    Spring Market

    Council also approved $4,000 for the Blythewood Artist Guild’s Spring Market to be held Friday, March 30 and Saturday, March 31 next door to the IGA. Jones said she expects 500 to 1,000 attendees during the two-day event. Jones said $3,000 of the award will go to advertising and the remainder for electricity, cleaning supplies, paper goods, pipe and drape and business license.

    Diamond Invitational Tournament

    Council also unanimously approved $20,000 to fund the lion’s share of $30,500 that was listed as the ‘total project cost’ for the annual South Carolina Diamond Invitational baseball tournament to be held this spring at Blythewood High School. A breakout of the SCDI’s budget as submitted to the A-Tax committee lists revenues (ticket sales, A-Tax funding, sponsorships and other) at $40,000 and expenditures at $36,000. Steve Hasterock, speaking on behalf of the SCDI’s primary contact person, Rick Lucas, who was not present, said approximately 4,500 people are expected to attend the tournament and that 90 percent of them will be tourists.

  • FMH finances still sliding; Douglas proposes new use for building

    WINNSBORO – For the first time since the demise of the hospital was anticipated, the Fairfield Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees is entertaining a proposal with the potential to bring a new purpose and mission to the facility.

    State Rep. MaryGail Douglas, District 41, which includes Chester, Fairfield and parts of Richland County, presented her vision for one possible future use of the FMH buildings and campus – a stand-alone respite center.

    Respite care, Douglas explained, is intended to give relief for those caregivers who are providing home care for a loved one, typically an aged or disabled parent.

    Trained as a nurse, Douglas said she spent 13 years at Fairfield Memorial.

    “This is an opportunity for Fairfield County and this place we are in right now to transition into a place to take care of family members who are taking care of family members,” Douglas said.

    “We often find that the caregiver falls apart in the care of that person,” she said.  “Right now in South Carolina we are spending millions and millions of dollars on long term care for older adults. We spend very little on those who decide to keep their loved ones at home.”

    She said she started seven or eight months ago to “plant some seeds” in considering what will happen to the FMH facility when the emergency room is moved to another location.

    “For me, I know if these doors ever close, we will never get them open again.  So that is my plea as I tell you tonight about my vision and the players that can make it happen.”

    She brought some of those players to the meeting – Cindy Curtis, Director of the Area Agency on Aging (AAA); Fairfield County Administrator Jason Taylor; Peatra Cruz, Director of Organizational Development and acting COO for Eau Claire Cooperative Health and Dr. G. Cleve Pilot, Director of the Fairfield County Career and Technology Center.  Scott Campbell, Market Chief Executive Officer of Providence Health, was also in attendance.

    In the hour-long discussion that followed, Rep. Douglas laid out her vision for a stand-alone facility that would become a midlands center for respite care, where families could take their loved one for one or two weeks so the caregiver could take time out for personal health care needs, a family reunion or even a vacation.

    This would be a resource for the surrounding counties, she said. She sees a collaborative effort with Eau Claire, with its management and health care expertise, as well as with the Career Center, since it has a certified nursing assistant program but could also send its cosmetology and barber students to give grooming care to the respite patients and the culinary students could learn about healthy meal preparation in a residential care setting.  She said she envisions that the respite center could help its elderly clients with medication management and other health services which in turn would help keep them out of the ER.

    But while the focus of the facility would be caring for the elderly and home-bound who need care, the purpose of the respite center would be to give their caregivers a break from the 24-7 job of providing home care.

    “If we don’t take care of the caregiver, then we are going to pay the price in the long term with that patient,” Douglas said.

    Both Douglas and Curtis talked about the availability of state funds, federal aging funds and other grants for respite care. While the dollars are limited, Douglas said, “I am telling you, the market is out there. Family members will pay to get their caregivers some relief. … The need is severe.”

    She also said she has pitched this concept to both the lieutenant governor’s office and US Senator Tim Scott.

    While both Douglas and Curtis pointed out that there is no model in the state to judge the merits and challenges of such an operation, Cruze said she felt that was problematic.

    Still, Curtis joined in about the need for respite care.

    “While the AAA already gives vouchers for respite care, there is great need for a place where families can place their loved ones for a short time and know they will be well-cared for,” she said.  “The respite care is critical for the caregivers themselves.  And the population of the US is aging and, within a few years, one in five will be over age 65,” she said.

    Board members kept the session going with multiple questions for Douglas and Curtis and, before adjournment, Board Chairperson Catherine Fantry directed Suzanne Doscher, FMH CEO, to keep the discussion going about using Fairfield Memorial Hospital for respite care.

  • Rimer Pond meeting set for Jan. 31

    BLYTHEWOOD – County Councilwoman Gwen Kennedy, who represents residents on Rimer Pond Road, has agreed to a community meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. at the Windermere Club in LongCreek Plantation. The meeting was called by residents in the area to discuss the proposed commercial rezoning at the intersection of Rimer Pond Road and Longtown Road. Councilman Chip Jackson and Council Chairwoman Joyce Dickerson have also been invited to the meeting.

    Developer Hugh Palmer’s request for commercial zoning of a parcel at the intersection of Rimer Pond Road and Longtown West Road.

    While Kennedy represents the residents on the road, she has steadfastly backed the Palmer family in their bid to bring commercial zoning to Rimer Pond Road. The Palmers have repeatedly, over the last five years, sought commercial zoning on 5.23 acres they own across from Blythewood Middle School. Two years ago, the parcel was on the market for $350,000 per acre.

    When the zoning issue was heard by County Council in February, 2017, Kennedy was the only member of Council who voted for the Palmers’ commercial rezoning request. During that meeting the Palmers’ lobbyist, former Fairfield County State Representative Boyd Brown, and Kennedy left the meeting, walking out at about the same time and returning to their seats in the Chamber about 10 minutes later. Shortly after they returned, Kennedy made the motion to approve Palmer’s request, but was defeated when the other members of Council voted against it.

    At the December 19 meeting, Kennedy made a motion that momentarily stunned the audience and council members as well.

    “I’ve been listening to everything and I make a motion to deny (the rezoning request),” Kennedy said.

    Another council member seconded the motion.

    “The motion has been properly made and seconded,” Dickerson said. Then Kennedy looked toward the audience and appeared to exchange glances with Palmer.

    “I’m sorry,” Kennedy said, appearing to realize her mistake, “I’m making a motion to defer it.”

    “You want to remove your, uh…” Dickerson said, turning to Kennedy.

    “I want to find out what people in this area want. I’m going to make a motion to defer this to the next meeting, uh, so that I can hear from some more of the residents because I’ve not heard from but a few. I’d like to hear. I move to defer this,” Kennedy said.

    Without revisiting the original motion and second as would be required by Roberts Rules, Council passed the deferral 7-3.

    At that point, Chairman Joyce Dickerson, who also represents part of the Blythewood area, threw the residents another curve by denying them another public hearing prior to the vote at the Feb. 27 meeting although Council rules allow multiple public hearings on an issue.

    “I hope everyone in the neighborhood will be able to attend this very important community meeting at the Windermere Club and let our County reps know your views about commercial zoning in our neighborhood,” Trey Hair posted on his Facebook page, Keep It Rural.

  • Earnest money kinks Doko sale

    Doko Depot

    BLYTHEWOOD – While Town Council struck a deal more than two months ago to sell the Doko Depot building and the property it sits on to a Columbia developer, Wheeler & Wheeler, it turns out the deal is not done yet.

    Council voted Dec. 16 to authorize Mayor J. Michael Ross to sign the contract which called for Wheeler & Wheeler to make a $16,250 earnest money deposit on the $325,000 sale prior to a 60-day inspection period. Now Wheeler’s lawyer has reported to the Town’s attorney Jim Meggs that Wheeler wants to back out of the original earnest money schedule.

    “I had a call from Mr. Wheeler’s lawyer complaining about the $16,250 earnest money,” Meggs reported to Council Monday night. “He said Wheeler doesn’t want to tie up $16,250 for 60 days. [He wants to] split the earnest money into two chunks – $5,000 initially [5 days after receipt of a fully executed agreement] and the balance ($11,250) at the end of the 60-day inspection period, when the contract is closed,” Meggs said.

    “But we’ve lost some time,” Meggs said.

    While Meggs suggested the Town allow Wheeler & Wheeler to split the earnest money into two parts, he said the amended contract would shorten Wheeler’s inspection period to 45 days and would not be delayed for everybody to sign the contract or for second reading of the amended ordinance.

    In regard to depositing the two earnest money payments, Meggs said, “We would specify that the effective date of the contract is tomorrow (Jan. 23) and that the 45 days inspection period commences tomorrow as well,” Meggs said.

    Council voted unanimously to approve the amended contract.

  • Fairfield County hires new directors

    WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Administrator Jason Taylor has announced the appointment of two department directors – Jason Pope, Director of the Fire Service and Chris Clausen, Planning and Community Development Director.

    Pope

    “After 17 years of leaving the county every day to go to work, it’s a privilege and honor to come back home to work,” Pope told Council Monday night.

    A graduate of The Citadel with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Pope had a year or so of experience with the Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department before being hired by the S. C. Fire Academy in February, 2001. He has held several positions with the Academy, most recently serving as the Deputy Director.

    “I have great confidence that Jason’s wealth of knowledge and experience will help him continue to move the department forward in a positive way,” Taylor said.

    A native of Fairfield County, Pope said he has lived in the County all his life and has deep roots. He and his wife, Karen, and their three children, Emma Grace, Jase and Samuel Jason, live on a farm in the Lebanon community and attend Lebanon Presbyterian Church.

    Clausen

    Clausen comes to Fairfield County with broad experience in planning for small to medium size organizations focused on rural and suburban development. He was most recently the Zoning Administrator for Chapin, where he oversaw the growth of several large development projects, initiated numerous updates to the planning and zoning ordinances and secured funding for several community development projects. Prior to that, he served as Assistant Director of Economic and Community Sustainability Department of the Santee-Lynhes Regional Council of Governments where he was involved in numerous regional planning efforts focusing on environmental, transportation, economic development and community development projects and plans.

    Clausen holds a Bachelor’s degree from Liberty University with a concentration in Business and two Master’s Degrees – one from the University of South Carolina (Master of Business Administration) and one from Clemson University (Master of City and Regional Planning.) He currently resides in Northeast Columbia with his wife Carla and their three children.

    In addition to managing the planning, building and zoning functions of the County as well as the development regulations and ensuring code compliance, Clausen will also be charged with proactively seeking new community development initiatives with an increased utilization of grant funding.

    “I’m excited to have an asset like Chris in the county,” Taylor said, “and I’m looking forward to the developments he will bring to the residents of Fairfield.”

  • Davis wins school board seat

    Newly elected school board member, Darreyl Davis, is congratulated by candidate Herb Rentz, left, Davis’s wife, Tamika, Tonya Green and candidate Lisa Brandenburg.

    WINNSBORO – Political newcomer Darreyl Davis bested two opponents in a special election Tuesday night to win the District 7 School Board seat vacated by Beth Reid, who passed away in November.

    Davis garnered 186 votes (46.43 percent) over opponent Herb Rentz who received 155 votes (36.21 percent) in his bid to win the seat held by Reid, his late wife. Lisa Brandenburg received 87 votes (20.33 percent.)

    Of the 2,165 voters in the district, 430 (19.86 percent) turned out to cast ballots Tuesday.

    “I want to thank my supporters for having faith that I’ll be an asset to the school board, to the school district and to the community.” Davis told The Voice he has a passion for helping children.

    “I’m going to help improve our education system here in Fairfield. I’m just looking forward to getting started,” Davis said.

    While Davis is new to the political arena, the father of six is not a newcomer to the school district. He is currently president of the Fairfield Elementary PTO, is past chair of the FES Improvement Council and is a board member for First Steps. Davis is the founder and president of Believers and Achievers and two years ago received the ‘Service Above Self’ award from the Winnsboro Rotary Club. Davis is employed in the environmental health and safety department at Isola in Ridgeway.

  • Carter retires from library

    Carter

    BLYTHEWOOD – Blythewood Library is preparing to say goodbye to a friendly, familiar face. Shirley Carter, who has served as location manager for the past eight years, is retiring Saturday, Feb. 3.

    Carter has overseen the growing needs of customers in this community. More recently, she played a crucial role in the renovation of the Blythewood location, which was completed in June 2017. During her 18-year tenure with Richland Library, Carter also worked at the Ballentine and Sandhills locations.

    Johnson

    The new location manager, Crystal Johnson, will be taking Carter’s place.