BLYTHEWOOD – The South Carolina Women’s Open is set to
return to Cobblestone Park Golf Course in Blythewood in just two short weeks,
Aug. 12 – 15.
The four-day tournament kicks off with the Pro-am on Aug.
12. Open to men and women, the teams will be comprised of four amateurs and one
professional. The cost is $150 per amateur or $600 per team.
The morning will begin with an 11 a.m. LPGA clinic, followed
by a boxed lunch and the pro-am tournament at 1 p.m. There will be on-course
prizes, beverages, a silent auction and an awards ceremony and music by Keith
Burns, founding member of the Grammy-nominated ACM & AMA award-winning,
platinum-selling group Trick Pony.
The Womens SC Golf Association’s Senior Professional and
Amateur tournament will be Aug. 13-14, and the Open Professional and Amateur
Tournament will be Aug 13-15.
The tournament will shift its focus off of golf on Aug. 13
for a Friday night concert at the Palmetto Citizens Amphitheater in Doko
Meadows Park. The free event will feature Keith Burns of Trick Pony. Robbie
Cockrell and Mason Horne will open for Burns.
Gates will open at 6 p.m. and the concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. VIP
Meet and Greet tickets are available at $50.
For more information on the four-day event or to register
for the Pro-Am, visit www.southcarolinawomensopen.com.
WINNSBORO – The driver in a single vehicle accident on Old
River Road near I-77 was killed.
The driver of a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquee was traveling
westbound on Old River Road when it drove off the left side of the roadway,
down into a deep gully and struck several trees.
The river was not wearing a seatbelt and became entrapped in
the wreckage. The coroner has not yet identified the driver.
This accident is under investigation by the Highway patrol.
BLYTHEWOOD – Sierra Rosario, 17, and an eleventh grader at
Westwood High School, was killed in an early morning crash on Interstate 26 on
Sunday.
The teen was driving a 2018 Hyundai sedan east on I-26 when
a 2011 Jeep SUV, traveling in the opposite direction, collided with the Hyundai
in the eastbound lane.
Christian Lucille, 34, the driver of the SUV also died at
the scene.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of
one of our beloved students,” Westwood High School Principal Robert Jackson
said in a prepared statement.
“The school has been in compete contact with the Rosario
family and wishes to convey our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to
them and Sierra’s many friends,” Jackson said. “Let’s keep them in our thoughts
and prayers. Please join us in respecting their privacy wishes and collectively
refrain from reaching out to them at this time.”
The crash happened at 5:30 a.m. at the 119 mile marker on
I-26, Cpl. Nick Pye of the South Carolina Highway Patrol reported.
Information about why the Jeep was traveling in the wrong
direction was not available. The collision continues to be investigated by the
Highway Patrol.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY – The Fairfield County Coroner Chris Hill announced
that Jeffrey Harrison, 62, of Winnsboro, was found deceased on July 22 off of
Old River Rd. in Fairfield County.
Harrison, who had been reported missing to Winnsboro Public
Safety on July 14, 2021, was found inside of a wrecked vehicle that had gone
off of the roadway into a ravine.
The death remains under investigation by Fairfield County Coroners Office, Winnsboro Public Safety and South Carolina Highway Patrol.
WINNSBORO – The County’s Human Resources Director Brad Caulder was hired last month by the majority 4 as the county’s interim administrator to replace former Fairfield County Administrator Jason Taylor. Last week Caulder hired a $200 per hour consult to assist him in his administrative duties.
Ed Driggers
Ed Driggers, a consultant with Parker Poe, will be paid for a minimum of 10 hours or $2,000 per week, which would total $8,000 per month or about $100,000 annually, just $25,000 under Caulder’s annual salary. Caulder said Driggers will likely work about 20 hours a week initially, which would total $16,000 per month or about $200,000 annually.
Caulder said that after a while, he would expect Driggers
hours to drop back to about 10 per week.
A section of Driggers’ agreement with the county also
provides for $40 per hour for any personnel that Driggers hires to work under
him on any of the county’s projects.
The consulting agreement also provides for both Driggers and
anyone he should hire to work under him to be reimbursed for mileage and reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses.
The minimum cost to the county for Driggers ($100,000 annually)
and Caulder ($125,000 annually) totals $225,000 annually.
Caulder is under contract for six months.
Top employees receiving extra pay
Caulder also told The Voice that some of the county’s top
level employees will receive extra pay for extra work. He would not say how
much extra money they are receiving, who those employees are or whether the extra
pay is temporary or permanent.
After several top level employees, including Taylor, the
town attorney, assistant county administrator, clerk to council, community
development director, parks and recreation director and others were pushed out
by the majority 4 or left voluntarily since the first of the year. Caulder said
this has caused an extra load of work on the remaining employees.
A search is underway for candidates for permanent county administrator. Other vacant jobs in the county right now include the clerk to council position, community development director, human resources director and a permanent parks and recreation director.
WINNSBORO – Approximately $7.6 million is coming to
Fairfield County this month from the Dominion settlement, and county council is
looking at their options for how to spend it.
According to the $99.5 million settlement agreement, which
was finalized in May and resulted from the county’s lawsuit in relation to the
failed nuclear plant project, the $7.6 million is earmarked to assist the
county in paying down its bond obligations.
Specifically, it’s aimed at the $24 million bond – primarily
for infrastructure projects – that the county committed to in 2013,
anticipating revenue that would’ve been generated by the new plant.
What’s not specified, however, is exactly how the county
must use the money in its debt repayment effort. There are several options.
Make Bond Payments Directly
One option would be to use the money directly to cover the
county’s bond payments for the next five years, storing it in an account
earmarked for that purpose.
The idea behind this option would be to simply fill in the
gap, anticipating that within the next five years the county will have enough
revenue coming in from new industries developed in that time to then cover the
payments going forward.
Pay to Principal, Lower Millage
Another option would be to put the lump sum toward the
principal of the loan and refinance what remains, bringing the county’s annual
bond payment down from $1.7 million to approximately $1.2 million.
Because of how bond payments are structured in relation to
tax millage, this would result in a corresponding reduction in property taxes,
reducing the county’s property tax revenue by approximately half a million
dollars annually going forward.
Use for Current Financial Issues
A third option – and this is one that Bell appears to have
his eye on and that he says the council is seeking more information to consider
– would be to continue to make bond payments in the current fashion but use the
money from the settlement to reimburse the county for the payments, essentially
freeing up money for other things he might want to use it for.
This, he says, would help the county to deal with current
pressing financial issues and other immediate priorities.
For example, he says, the county needs to make up the
difference between the $4.2 million committed to a needed courthouse renovation
project and the $5.3 million the project is expected to cost. And county
leaders need to have money on hand for economic development opportunities that
may arise.
“We’re trying to make sure we have every option that can be
good for the council to consider, so that’s what we’re working on currently,”
Bell says. “We’re going to try to decide what are the best options for us as a
county, knowing the financial situation we’re currently in.”
He says that while opinions may differ on what is the best
course of action, whatever the council ultimately decides, he hopes everyone
will get on board.
The $7.6 million, while a large sum in relation to the
county’s budget and debts, is a relatively small piece of the pie in the total
settlement.
The $99.5 million settlement, which was announced in May,
came after four years of legal process and negotiation after South Carolina
Electric & Gas (SC E&G) parent company SCANA Corporation failed to
develop its two planned nuclear reactors in Fairfield County.
After SCANA abruptly announced the abandonment of the $9
billion project in mid-2017, investigations revealed fraud and ultimately led
to criminal charges – resulting in prison time and other penalties – for two
executives, plus a $25 million civil fine for the company.
The Fairfield County lawsuit was one of several faced by
SCANA and Dominion, the Virginia-based energy giant that bought them out in
early 2019.
Fairfield County leaders have touted the settlement as a
win-win for the county and Dominion, which provides electricity for much of the
county through its existing plant and stands to gain additional customers from
development.
The biggest chunk of the settlement — $45.7 million – is
earmarked for development of the county’s much-needed wastewater treatment
plant, which is being built to accommodate both residential and industrial
growth in the county.
An additional $13.4 million is also earmarked for economic
development projects: $6.5 million to grade an industrial mega-site, $3.2
million for grading at the Commerce Center, $1.8 million escrow for rate
relief, and $2 million for a spec building at the Commerce Center.
The three most controversial earmarks have been the $2.2
million for a teachers’ village, $2.5 million for a park and recreation center
in Ridgeway, and $1 million for a Martin Luther King monument on the grounds of
Mt. Zion. A $27.1 million chunk of the settlement is going to the attorneys
assisting the county in the settlement.
Governor Henry McMaster and House Rep. Chip Huggins surprised Rogers with The Order of the Palmetto during his retirement party. | Contributed
MARGARITAVILLE – After Bill Roger’s retirement party last Thursday, we knew we would all be in good hands with Jen Madden and Randall Savely (Bill’s replacements). But we also knew we would miss him terribly. Over his 55-year career in journalism, he’s been there for each of us in different ways.
For me, it was his willingness to offer every possible
avenue of support to help me grow my newspaper. I’ve been a member of the Press
Association since 2000, and Bill has been my guide, my mentor, and my friend
since then, and before that for many others in the industry.
I started a bi-weekly newspaper in Blythewood in 1999.
Without a journalism degree and no newspaper experience, I would have been lost
without Bill’s guidance. When I requested to join the S.C. Press Association,
he didn’t blink, even though I realize now that it was apparent to a journalist
of his caliber that I didn’t know what I was doing. The front page of my
publication had four columns and none of them were the same width.
After looking at my newspaper, Bill said he liked it, but
suggested I send it to him regularly for a while so he could make suggestions
on how I could improve it. For about six months, I mailed it to him every other
week, and he would mark it up, scribbling in the margins – do this, never do
this, always do that, etc. etc. After several months he began making fewer
marks.
My newspaper soon became an Associate member of the Press
Association, and when it became a weekly, we received full membership. In 2004
we won the Montgomery Freedom of Information award for weekly newspapers. It
was one of the highlights of my life.
Over the years, Bill has always been there for my newspapers
(I started a second one in 2010).
I am still amazed and thankful that he took so much time
from his very busy schedule to help me improve my newspaper. Today, it’s a
fairly successful, award winning weekly, thanks to Bill and the SCPA staff, the
workshops, and other training sessions they provide.
I can’t say enough about what Bill has done to help me and
the other South Carolina newspapers.
Starting a weekly newspaper from scratch was a struggle at
times. But Bill has always been there to support and encourage me and help me
overcome obstacles. I have always felt he treated me no different than he
treats the publisher of The State or the Post and Courier. And I’m sure there
are still going to be times when only his advice will do.
Bill was my mentor, my journalism teacher and he is a dear
and trusted friend.
Thanks from the bottom of my heart, Bill. We at The Voice wish you all the happiness in the world and happy trails in your VW.
Former hippie Bill Rogers and his staff featured on a Christmas card with his VW bus.
OHIO – Eleven-year-old Fairfield County resident TJ Knight was just two targets short of topping his field of 51 shooters at the 2021 Scholastic Clay Target (SCTP) National Team Championships last week.
According to its website, the Scholastic Clay Target Program
provides kids from elementary through college with the opportunity to
participate in the fun and challenging sports of Trap, Skeet and Sporting
Clays, as well as the Olympic disciplines of Bunker Trap, Trap Doubles and
International Skeet.
SCTP is the official feeder program to USA Shooting and a path to the U.S. Olympic Shooting Team.
Knight, who began shooting SCTP/4-H with the Fairfield Gun
Club in the 2020/2021 season under head coach John Tate, hit 159 targets in the
national 200-target competition. Grant Glossner of Boiling Springs, PA took the
top spot in the Championships with 161 hit clays.
Taking second in the national competition is only the most
recent accomplishment from Knight. Earlier this year he claimed the 2021 SCTP
State Championship in the Rookie Division.
At eight-years-old, Knight started shooting sporting clays
with a private club, but moved to the 4-H SCTP team for an introduction to
skeet, trap and super sporting clays.
Knight is in fifth grade.
WINNSBORO – The Winnsboro Department of Public Safety (WDPS)
responded to a call July 19 of shots fired in the 400 block of W. College
Street.
When units arrived, all involved parties had left the scene,
according to a WDPS incident report.
A witness reported seeing a black male running up the street
shooting at a dark colored Nissan Altima with tinted windows. The witness reportedly did not recognize the
shooter.
A short time later, a Nissan Altima was seen at the Master
Shell Service Station with bullet holes and a flat tire.
No injuries were reported.
The subjects in the car were questioned and released.
Officers collected a total of 16 shells from the shooting scene as well as
bullet fragments from the struck vehicle.
The shells and fragments will be sent to the South Carolina
Law Enforcement Division for analysis.
Anyone with information about the shooter is asked to
contact WDPS at 803-635-4511.
From left: Councilmen Sloan Griffin and Donald Brock, outside legal counsel David Black, and councilmen Larry Griffin and Eddie Baughman | Barbara Ball
BLYTHEWOOD – The nine-month long Blythewood town council/marketing fiasco continued Tuesday night with a special called meeting that ended with council filing a countersuit against MPA Strategies and terminating the firm’s contract with the Town.
The countersuit follows a complaint filed by MPA against the Town on June 28, after Mayor Bryan Franklin failed to submit documents to MPA in response to MPA’s FOIA request dated April 15.
While MPA received those documents on July 9, that was after MPA had filed suit.
“There is a violation of the SC Freedom of Information Act
by not responding within the statutorily-required time and when information is
turned over after a lawsuit is served. That usually means prevailing party
status is given to the requester which almost assures they will win and their
attorney’s fees and costs will be paid by taxpayer money,” Taylor Smith,
attorney for the S.C. Press Association, said in an email to The Voice.
Ashley Hunter, owner and CEO of MPA Strategies
Going into executive session Tuesday night with the town’s
newly hired outside counsel David Black, Mayor Bryan Franklin, who was not
present but attended virtually, said council would receive legal advice
relating to claims and potential claims received by and against the Town and
other matters covered by attorney client privilege.
After an approximately two-hour executive session, council
resumed public session and Franklin read a prepared statement.
“We have learned tonight that our attorney is working for
the town’s best interest, not for individual council members or the mayor.
“We have learned and understand that it is our duty and
obligation as elected officials of the Town to conduct business using conduct
that is beyond reproach and with businesses that also meet that standard.
“I am of the opinion that we have not done this with the
marketing contract,” he said. “We have a duty tonight to correct this mistake
and re-establish harmony in our town ahead of on-going legal actions,” Franklin
concluded.
“What say you, council members?” Franklin asked from the
monitor screen.
Councilman Sloan Griffin spoke up immediately and strongly,
saying, “With the advice of our legal counsel and with the health and harmony
amongst this council and your office, I am making a motion to execute in
accordance with the advice of our attorney, our 60-day opt-out clause in the
MPA contract.”
Councilman Eddie Baughman seconded the motion.
Town Attorney Shannon Burnett spoke up to clarify Griffin’s
motion.
“We can opt for the 60-day opt out clause and pay her that
money we had talked about, but request that money be held in escrow pending the
litigation and also that we go ahead and pay her that but not use her services
beginning now,” Burnett said.
Sloan Griffin corrected his motion.
“The Town would enter into the 60-day opt out and pay MPA
what is owed but terminate services immediately and request to hold the money
in escrow per litigation,” he said.
Baughman once again seconded the motion.
The vote in favor of the motion was 3-1, with Sloan Griffin,
Franklin and Baughman voting for and Councilman Donald Brock voting against.
Councilman Larry Griffin left the meeting early due to a death in his family
earlier in the day.
Following the meeting, Sloan Griffin said he based his vote
on the attorney’s legal advice.
The countersuit was filed in Richland County Circuit Court
on Tuesday afternoon, but it was not made available to The Voice, and had not
been posted on the public index at press time on Wednesday. After the meeting,
neither the council members nor the town administrator would reveal what the
countersuit addressed or why MPA’s contract was being terminated.
The Voice was told that affidavits were signed earlier on
Tuesday by Town Administrator Carroll Williamson, Town Attorney Shannon Burnett
and Franklin, attesting that the information in the complaint is correct.
Ashley Hunter, owner and CEO of MPA Strategies, started her
work marketing the Town and writing grants on May 1. During her first month on
the job, she brought in a $10,000 grant for the Town from International Paper
Company.
“The first round of funding for the grant automatically
makes us eligible for the second round [another $10,000] as well,” she said.
“So it will be a two-part pot of funding for our park here in Blythewood.”
Hunter reported at the May council meeting that engagement
on the Town’s Instagram account has more than tripled.
“I’ve also been spending time meeting with various
non-profits, associations and corporate teams about reserving this beautiful
space (the Manor). Lots of people are asking for proposals so I’ve been working
closely with Carroll [Williamson] on this.”
The Voice will make more information available about the
Town’s counter suit against MPA as it is made available.
