A recount Friday morning by the Fairfield County Elections Office confirmed a narrow victory for incumbent Kamau Marcharia in County Council’s District 4.
Totals that rolled in late on election night, Nov. 6, indicated a four-vote edge for Marcharia over his challenger Mary Brown, 834-830, a margin of less than 1 percent. The results triggered an automatic recount for the seat, which Friday tallied up the exact same results, according to Debbie Stidham at the Voter Registration Office.
After the recount, Marcharia said he was naturally relieved.
“Every vote counts,” he said, “and this election demonstrates that.”
Marcharia said he had to work vigorously during this campaign against a challenger who had employed a very energetic and, to some extent, successful ground game that included a lot of knocking on doors and early voting. But in the end, Marcharia said, his base in Jenkinsville and Lake Monticello helped him carry the day.
“The overwhelming support from my constituency put me over the top,” he said.
Marcharia said he did not believe the close vote was a referendum on his policies, but was instead simply a vigorous effort by his opponent.
“I don’t see any reason to change what I’m doing,” Marcharia said. “I don’t think people are dissatisfied with what I’m doing. I’m out there fighting for things for them.”
Things like a new fire station and EMS station in the area, which Marcharia said would be in next year’s budget and which would help residents in District 4 feel some relief on their home insurance premiums. But the one lesson Marcharia said he did learn: “You can never take politics for granted.”
Winnsboro Town Council gave the OK to three ordinances during their regular meeting Monday night, aimed at tighter zoning regulations, greasy clogs and taxes on insurance companies.
Ordinance 110612A revises the town of Winnsboro’s zoning codes. Section one of this ordinance states that the town of Winnsboro’s zoning ordinances adopted in April of 1999 shall be repealed in their entirety and the town is to be re-zoned. New zoning includes: authority and jurisdiction, dividing the town of Winnsboro into different districts, regulating and restricting the height of buildings and other structures, regulating and restricting the percentage of lot areas that may be occupied, regulating and restricting the location and use of buildings, supplementary regulations for parking and landscaping, regulations of signs, providing for the method of administration and amendment, providing penalties for violations, defining powers and duties of the board of zoning appeals and repealing the previous zoning ordinance.
Ordinance 110612B regulates the discharge of fats, oils and grease. It is intended to aid in the prevention of sanitary sewer blockages caused by the introduction of fats, oils and grease. No later than one year after the adoption of this ordinance all establishments and users shall install grease traps or interceptors designed to limit the introduction and discharge of grease.
Finally, the third ordinance approved was ordinance 110612C, an ordinance amending business provisions for insurance companies. The ordinance amends the tax rate paid by insurance companies to 6 percent on premiums sold inside the town limits.
After the motions were approved, council members took time to recognize the planning commission for their work over the last 15 months in reviewing and revising the new zoning ordinances and regulations. Mayor Gaddy presented them with plagues and a few special words.
“I know you all have worked tirelessly,” Gaddy said. “We appreciate the hard work you’ve done and it has not gone unnoticed.”
Council kicked off Monday’s meeting by designating November as “National Hospice and Palliative Care Month.” Gaddy expressed the importance of hospice care.
“We encourage citizens to increase their understanding and awareness of care at the end of life,” Gaddy said. “We want to observe this month with the appropriate activities and programs.”
In other business the council authorized the rental of the Armory to the Moratorium on Nov. 21 and on Dec. 29. The next town council meeting is on Nov. 20.
Although the results will not become official until Friday morning – and in the race for the District 4 seat on Fairfield County Council, perhaps not even then – results from Tuesday’s election indicate some convincing winners.
Incumbent Creighton Coleman will return to the S.C. State Senate in District 17, besting his Republican challenger Robert Carrison 18,401 votes to 6,808. Coleman handily won his native Fairfield County, 8,896 to 2,600. In Chester County, Coleman won by 4,644 votes, 8,810 to 4,166.
“I appreciate the confidence the voters of District 17 have expressed in me,” Coleman said late Tuesday night. “I look forward to representing them for another four years with honesty and integrity.”
In the race for the District 41 seat in the State House, Democrat MaryGail Douglas took home a resounding victory over Republican William Gray, 11,419 votes to 3,274. Douglas earned 8,896 of those votes in her home county of Fairfield where Gray could only muster 2,600 votes. In Chester County, Douglas won 2,523 votes to Gray’s 674.
Gray admitted that a Republican victory in District 41 was a long shot from the start.
“I set out to create a two-party system for Fairfield County,” Gray said. “Victory was not even something I contemplated. I knew it would be an uphill battle.”
Gray said he was particularly disappointed on his lackluster showing in his home precinct.
“I did not win my home box,” Gray said, “which says to me that black people in this community need to do a self-examination on where they stand and where they want Fairfield County to go.
“I congratulate Mrs. Douglas on her victory and I will support her in her efforts,” Gray said.
Douglas said she was overwhelmed by the voter response.
“It’s mind boggling how many people turned out,” she said. “It’s a mandate that says ‘we’re behind you.’ We’ve got a lot of work to do, and I will be looking to folks for input.”
In other Fairfield County races, incumbent Annie McDaniel retains her District 4 seat on the Fairfield County School Board, beating back two challengers. McDaniel earned 725 votes while Arthur Lathan brought in 554 and Carrie Suber-O’Neal 436.
“I was a little bit nervous,” said McDaniel, who is known for her fiery nature representing District 4. “I appreciate the support the voters have given me and I appreciate that they’ve given me one more chance to serve them.
“For some in District 4, (the results) say they like the fight,” McDaniel added, “that I take on a challenge. For others, I think they would like for me to continue to fight, but on a lighter note.”
School Board District 2 incumbent Danielle Miller lost her bid for another term Tuesday night, falling to Paula Meisner Hartman 855 votes to 574. William Frick easily took the District 6 seat with 898 votes. Thomas Armstrong, running as the write-in candidate, earned only 14 votes.
One Fairfield County race, for the District 4 seat on County Council, will have to undergo a recount before the results can be determined. Tuesday night, incumbent Kamau Marcharia tallied 834 votes to Mary Brown’s 830. Some voting irregularities were reported in early voting for that race, with votes for Marcharia turning up for Brown. The voting machines had to be recalibrated, according to reports, putting as many as 86 votes at risk.
“It’s kind of nerve racking,” Marcharia said Tuesday night. “It just goes to show you, every vote counts.”
Elsewhere in County Council, incumbent Carolyn Robinson won another term in District 2, beating challenger Vernon Pylant 931 votes to 606. Mary Lynn Kinley, unchallenged in District 6, earned 909 votes.
In other Fairfield County races, the unchallenged Herman Young won 10,427 votes in his bid for another term as Sheriff; Betty Jo Beckham, also unchallenged, won 10,745 votes for the Clerk of Court office; and Barkley Ramsey will see another term as County Coroner with 10,542 votes.
H. Keith McDonald (77 votes) and Oscar L. Buddy Peay (34 votes) were the only vote-getters in the race to fill three empty seats on the Rocky Creek Watershed. In the Jackson Mill Creek Watershed, also with three seats to fill, the write-in candidate earned 60 votes. The Wateree Creek Watershed also had three seats to fill, with the single write-in candidate earning three votes.
Today, Fairfield County celebrates our countless veterans who have bravely and gallantly served our country. This year’s ceremony will take place at the Fairfield County Recreation Department’s gymnasium starting promptly at 11a.m. We invite everyone to attend our celebration.
In countless ceremonies like this – repeated across the land – Americans will pause to honor our Veterans. Over the course of 237 years of independence, these patriots have stood watch over our liberty. From Bunker Hill to Bagdad, we are the beneficiaries of their vigilance and determination to uphold the democratic beliefs on which our nation was founded.
America has been blessed as no other country in the history of the world. The sacrifices of our armed forces have given us the security and freedom in which to grow and flourish as a nation – in law, human rights, economics, science and technology, and the arts. We only need to look at the news headlines to know that our way of life is a beacon of hope and freedom to others, across the world. It has drawn millions to our shores and serves as a model of democracy for the world.
We remember America’s heroes, for it was on the 11th hour of the 11th month of 1918 that the guns of the Great War fell silent across Europe and the dough boys started coming home. The guns did not stay silent for long, however. Our troops have persevered on the wind-swept beaches of Normandy, on the frozen ground of Korea, in the sweltering jungles of Vietnam and in the sandy deserts of Iraq. Today, we think of those who fought the decisive battles and who have kept the fragile peace since the founding of our Nation. Let it be our mission to preserve the memories of their great deeds.
Today we also remember the men and women who tonight and every other night of the year will be sitting alone in the dark, waiting to go on patrol, keeping the peace close to home, or standing guard in faraway places like Helmand Province or Kandahar. Every day, they put on their uniforms and they lay their lives on the line for each of us – to allow us to continue to enjoy the blessings of freedom. They are today’s soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, who have stepped forward and answered the call to arms. They are tomorrow’s veterans. May we forever be thankful and grateful!
The 2012 general election is Nov. 6, and The Voice recently reached out to Fairfield County’s local candidates with a brief question-and-answer survey to help voters make a more informed choice. Last week, we previewed the candidates for S.C. House District 41 and S.C. Senate District 17. This week, The Voice presents the candidates for Fairfield County Council and the School Board of Trustees.
Our questions were:
1. Education/Occupation
2. What inspired you to run for office?
3. How have you been involved in the community in the past?
4. What do you see as the major issues facing (County Government/School District)?
5. What is your vision of where (County Government/School District) should be in the next four years?
6. If you are an incumbent: What impact have you made during your term(s) in office? If you are a challenger: What differentiates you from your opponent, and what impact do you expect to have?
The candidates said:
Fairfield County Council
District 2
Carolyn Robinson
(Incumbent)
Carolyn Robinson
1. S.C. Association of Counties, Institute of Government, Levels I and II; S.C. Economic Development School; N.C.-S.C. Economic Development School; Midlands Technical College: Paralegal Associates Degree; Winnsboro High School honor graduate.
2. In 1970, I began working for Sen. John A. Martin in his law office, during which time I also served as Administrative Assistant to the S.C. Senate Rules Committee. I began assisting citizens of this county at that time by helping direct them to the appropriate person or office to obtain answers to their problems. Through the years I have been able to establish relationships in the county and in the state which provide information and assistance in meeting the needs and challenges of our citizens.
3. I have served on the Fairfield County Recreation Board and have served Fairfield County as a member of the S.C. Silver Haired Legislature. As a member of Lebanon Presbyterian Church, I serve as church secretary and am involved in activities and its outreach programs. During the years I have attended many meetings of WHOA, especially those pertaining to keeping the lake as pristine as possible for our county.
4. At this time I feel the most critical issue for Fairfield County is that of water, our most necessary resource. I have attended several meetings called by the water providers, and within the next few weeks they will come together as a unit to begin discussing possible solutions. An economic development study was performed two years ago with input from Fairfield County business leaders and citizens. I will continue working toward having the Council study this report and seeing if many of the recommendations in the study can be implemented in order to “grow” this county. Also, it is important to continue having a good working relationship with the entities that can introduce and recruit companies to our county so we can meet the needs of the labor force in Fairfield County. By creating jobs we will add to the tax base for the county which will help eliminate budget problems and keep taxes in check for the taxpayers. We need to continue positioning the county to attract more companies when the economy stabilizes. Adequate services and amenities need to be provided to better serve all citizens in the outlying areas of the county, namely: health services, recreation, fire protection and police protection, just to name a few.
5. Fairfield County has many miles of interstate. Industry is moving from Columbia north and from Charlotte south, which places us in a prime location for our county to locate industry. I would work to recruit industry whereby our citizens will have jobs and the tax base for our county will have increased. At this time the Army Corps of Engineers has begun an 18- to 20-month study of water resources and needs for Fairfield County. In the next four years I see decisions being made to begin addressing the water supply for the entire county. I will continue looking out for the welfare of the county based on the issues at hand. For example: in addition to the items listed above, protecting the environment by recycling, improving roads, ensuring constituent safety and protecting and utilizing funds received from the new reactors at V. C. Sumner, all for a better quality of life.
6. For District 2 some of the accomplishments are: opening an EMS station in the Mitford/Wateree area, which reduced the response time from 45+ minutes to within approximately 10 to 15 minutes; installed outside street lights to assist with safety in the Mitford area; treated many dirt roads throughout District 2 with dust control until such time as money is available from the state CTC (gas tax) funds to pave them; contributed funds for the addition of a fire substation on River Road, thus assisting homeowners who live within a 5-mile radius to obtain a lower ISO rating, which saves money on their homeowners’ insurance rate. All necessary ISO inspections have been met for this substation, and the rating should be announced by the end of the year; upgraded the recycling center at Lake Wateree; built a grinding facility for the county on Old Airport Road whereby wood chips will be available to the homeowners which reduces the costs for removing the brush and trees from the county; worked to continue providing services and maintaining the quality of life for our citizens while meeting the challenges of federal and state funding cuts and mandates without a large increase in the county tax rate; I do my homework on each issue so I understand the full impact, see what possible solutions are available and then vote in a manner which is best for our citizens; I remain readily available to serve all areas of my district as it covers an extended area from Lake Wateree, to Ridgeway, to Winnsboro, to Smalltown to Lebanon.
Vernon Pylant
Vernon Pylant
1. High School and one year tech school. Retired from AT&T; currently working for Duke Energy on Lake Wateree.
2. I wish to make Fairfield County a better place to live and work.
3. Working with Concerned Citizens Group to reduce property taxes.
4. Reduce property taxes. Implementing a County Water Authority.
5. Establish a County Water Authority; reduce personal property taxes; schools must have discipline and parental support.
6. I think I will bring a different perspective to the governing process. I will be looking for other forward-thinking council members to work with to improve Fairfield County.
District 4
Kamau Marcharia
(Incumbent)
Kamau Marcharia
1. I have taken 3 ½ years of college courses– Mercer Community College, Glassboro State Teachers College, Greenwood Technical College, Orangeburg Community College and Thomas Edison State College. I’m retired from my position of Rural Organizing Director for Grassroots Leadership. I do consulting work with non-profit community and philanthropic organizations and serve on the Fairfield County Council.
2. I feel that it is important for people who are based in a local community and who are talking with people in the community every day to take a place at the table helping to make decisions that impact our area. I reach out to my community and have always been active on issues.
3. I have been a community activist all my adult life – both as a volunteer and as a staff person in and director of community organizations. I founded the PALS organization in Saluda, S.C., served as a community organizer and then executive director of Fairfield United Action and as the Director of Rural Organizing for Grassroots Leadership. I’ve also served on many boards of non-profit organizations and was the president of the Fairfield County NAACP.
4. I think we need to upgrade our water/sewer systems, make sure that the school system really meets the needs of all students and prepares them for skilled jobs or higher education. We need to bring more living wage jobs into the county and make sure that the resources of the county are distributed equitably throughout the county.
5. Our local water systems are aging and need repair and expansion. We currently have water shortages and there is conflict among the agencies and people involved. There are five different water companies/organizations – and there is lack of coordination among them. We need to put money into a plan that serves the whole county – and we need to start upgrading our water/waste infrastructure before we have a crisis. If we don’t have adequate water, we can’t bring in companies that need water for manufacturing either. The lack of living wage employment in the county for county residents holds our county back. We don’t prepare our students for jobs or higher education. We don’t push the local employers to build training opportunities into their work places. We don’t spend tax dollars to seriously support young people to move into a decent job. We need a real program locally that links schools, families, employers and social services – to figure out what employers need, what young people need, and then put systems in place to make this happen.
6. Since I have been on council I helped bring a health center to western Fairfield. I also supported improvements to the Jenkinsville ballpark (walking trails, bathrooms, picnic tables) and it has become the most used park in the county. I’ve helped to get roads paved, got a $400,000 grant to repair or replace homes/trailers of elderly and low-income people. I have fought on behalf of citizens to protect their property rights and the environment.
Mary Brown
1. McCrorey Liston High School, Mansfield Business College Major: Business Law and Accounting. Pastor of Straightway Faith and Deliverance Ministries. Bookkeeper for Brown’s Plumbing and Construction.
2. The realization of a need to forge a more compliable council/citizens relationship targeting the promotion of community /county growth and development, providing greater educational opportunities and a decrease in unemployment.
3. I have been involved by serving on various boards and school committees.
4. Limited employment and job training, industry and business opportunities. Minimum youth and senior programs, need for recreational activities and facilities.
5. I visualize in the next four years, we will have become a council that will have grown and flourished in every aspect.
6. I am a Fairfield County native with a lifelong invested interest in the well being of the county. There are seven districts but only one county; therefore, we must work collectively on one accord to gain the growth and development needed to prosper.
District 6
(No challenger)
Mary Lynn Kinley
(Incumbent)
Mary Lynn Kinley
1. I graduated from Winnsboro High School and attended the University of South Carolina (two-year Secretarial Science Program). I am the Public Relations Director for Fairfield Memorial Hospital where I have worked for 22 years. Also, I presently serve on the Fairfield County Council.
2. I have had the pleasure to serve the people of District 6 for the past 16 years and have enjoyed helping our citizens with their various concerns/problems. This level of county government has been of great interest to me; some of the projects we have worked on will come to fruition during the next four years and I would like to be a part of this future.
3. Being involved in our community is the rent we pay for living in the community. This being said, I am an active member of the Winnsboro Church of the Nazarene, have been a member of the Winnsboro Rotary Club for 12 years, serve on the Midlands Education Business Alliance (MEBA) Board (five years), chair the Clemson Extension Advisory Board, worked with the American Cancer Society for six years (served as chairperson for three years), and many other community projects.
4. There are two major issues facing Fairfield County presently. The first being the urgent need to provide water for our county. The second major issue is economic development so that we can provide jobs for our citizens. However, to create more jobs, we have to have enough water. We need water for our every-day living needs, for our businesses and industries, for our farmers and for our animals. We must come together and resolve this problem so that our county can grow!
5. I would hope that in the next four years, we will have solved our water shortage, have developed more businesses and industries so that we have increased our tax base, more of our citizens will have jobs to allow them to have a better quality of life and Fairfield County will begin benefiting from the new reactor going on line for the V.C. Summer Nuclear Plant.
6. It takes team work to have a successful council! I have been a team player with my fellow council members in trying to make Fairfield County a better place to live, work and play. I have developed good communications with my constituents. In the past five years the council has updated many of our recycling centers around the county, supported renovations for our public library and the Board of Disabilities new building, worked collaboratively to bring Midlands Technical College to our county with the new Quick Job Training Center, have renovated the old Hon Building to house all Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and much needed storage and built a new Animal Adoption Center. All of these things have made a huge impact on our county and I am proud to have been a part of these upgrades/projects!
Fairfield County School Board
District 2
Danielle Miller
(Incumbent)
Danielle Miller
1. Senior at Winthrop University – English and Creative Writing Major and Social Science Minor. Quality Control Accountant at CoreLogic, Inc.
2. I am a lifelong resident of Fairfield County. Education has the power to change lives. I want every child in Fairfield to have the opportunity to achieve his or her full potential. I am running for school board to assist as a member of the governing body to support the mission and vision of Fairfield County School District. I want to help provide a safe and healthy atmosphere of learning so that all students can receive a high quality education.
3. Prior to serving on the school board, I was an active volunteer and participant of the School Improvement Council, mentor to students, involved in literacy programs, PTO, Safe and Drug Free Schools Program, Keep Fairfield Beautiful, Adopt-a-Highway, coordinated youth programs at churches and other community organizations, assisted in church and community scholarship programs and fundraising, and promoted and supported athletic and the arts programs.
4. Improvement of student achievement at all levels, Pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, creating stability and accountability with leadership in the district, and accountability of funds utilized in the best interest of our children.
5. As a School Board Trustee, it is my hope to help achieve higher academic standards and student achievement. We must invest in the future by supporting our students to help them develop their skills in reading, writing and mathematics. We must also provide access and opportunity for our students to benefit from music, the arts and athletics. My other goals are to provide a high quality early childhood program, better align the education system from Pre-kindergarten to college, and to develop partnerships with the community and the higher institutions of learning.
6. During my three and a half years of serving on the board, we have many accomplishments; however, I will only name a few: Serving three and a half years, I supported no tax Increase. Provided more accountability with funds being used directly in the classroom, toward student achievement. I supported McCrorey Liston Elementary becoming a technology themed school to enhance student learning. I collaborated with intergovernmental bodies, businesses and churches to encourage active participation in our schools.
Paula Meisner Hartman
Paula Meisner Hartman
1. Graduated from USC with a teaching degree in Child Development. I have taken extra classes in Dyslexia, ADD, ADHD and accounting. I am currently a homemaker, caregiver, Avon Representative and Avon Recruiter.
2. I got a degree in teaching because I like helping and working with children. I would like to have a part in trying to improve the education and lives of our children for the better. I feel our children are the future of Fairfield County.
3. I have been a volunteer in the schools as a helper in a classroom. I was in the S.C. State Guards who are there for the state and local emergencies and help with festivals. I was also in a local Homemakers Club that helped different organizations in the county; schools, Red Cross, Good Samaritan House, etc.
4. Businesses will not come to Fairfield County if our children are not educated. The crime rate will decrease if we get the children interested in staying in school to realize their potential.
5. My hope is that each year we have a higher percentage of children in Fairfield County to graduate and the dropout rate will decrease. I would like to see all graduates be able to go to college or a technical school, and the others be able to find adequate employment.
6. I have a teaching degree and I taught at Sandhills Academy School for Dyslexic children. I raised a daughter with Dyslexia and ADD and I help with my grandchildren. I worked for the Town of Ridgeway as the Town Clerk/Treasurer for seven 1/2 years, which included book keeping and secretarial duties. With my education, different work and life experiences, it should help me work together with all of Fairfield County, to find ways the school system can give our children an adequate education to succeed in life.
District 4
Annie E. McDaniel
(Incumbent)
Annie E. McDaniel
1. Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a major in Accounting and a Master’s in Public Administration, both from the University of South Carolina. Payroll Supervisor with Charleston County School District.
2. My constituents have shared with me that the school board needs me. I know a lot of the history of the District and the role of the school board and I am willing to diplomatically tell the truth regarding the challenges and opportunities of the district. My track record of working for the students of Fairfield County is above and beyond expectations.
3. I have been involved in the community as a member of St. Matthew First Baptist Church (Health Fair Sponsor and education advisor); Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (assisted former students with membership and current students with participation in programs for youth); started the Mary McDaniel First Generation Scholarship Fund; and speaking engagements. I have been a resource for students and advised students and parents in decision making that positively impact or impacted their educational future.
4. The allocation of new V.C. Summer Nuclear plant tax dollars is a major issue facing the Fairfield County School District. A school board that is knowledgeable about their role as a board and which is objective enough to operate within that knowledge and objectivity is a second issue. The issues with the board has caused negligence in the following: transparency; sound policies and operating procedures; state of the art instructional offerings, hiring of highly qualified staff to name a few.
5. My vision of where Fairfield County School District will be in the next four years is a district with community members and parents who hold the board accountable to operate within sound policies and procedures and follow it policies and procedures. A district that accentuates the positive, while resolving the weaknesses. I also envision an improved instructional offering and a state of the art Career and Technology facility.
6. To name a few, most recently, I led the fight to keep our legislators from taking away the voters authority to elect their School Board representative. I have responded to the concerns of parents and the community so that the educational experience of their children is great. I worked with the board to ensure that Advanced Placement courses were reinstated at the high school. By being a voice for those who do not have a voice, or who are not heard, I believe my existence on the board has helped keep the district less harmless in facing the many unnecessary challenges and in some case orchestrated challenges.
Arthur Lathan
Arthur Lathan
1. BS Degree/ Retired Engineer
2. I have always been interested in the education of our citizens. I believe that as responsible adults and guardians of our children’s future we owe the best possible education we can provide. The present establishment is not meeting my expectations. I offer to make a positive change.
3. I have been an active participant in many organizations and activities within the community over the years. I served as president of the PTO of every school my children attended within the county. In addition, I have been involved with the Cub Scouts, been recreation baseball coach and I am currently involved with several civic clubs and organization.
4. The major issue I see facing the school district is public image and perception. Instability in leadership as well as low student test scores are major issues also.
5. I visualize the school district having a seasoned superintendent (three years or more in the position), parental and community support for district and school administration. I also envision a much improved student academic report.
6. Being in a three person race, I have two opponents. I will only express my differentiation between myself and the incumbent . I have no knowledge of the views and/or positions of the other candidate. The incumbent and I differ on methods of achieving progress. I would be more compromising in efforts to move the district in a positive direction. The impact I expect to bring is a voice of reasoning and unity to an often volatile environment.
Carrie Suber-O’Neal
Carrie Suber-O’Neal
1. Associate’s degree in Public Service, with major in Early Care and Education.
2. Integrity, respect, teamwork, leadership and embarrassing school board. My strong desire to educate every child academically, rigorous curriculum, working together with our superintendent, supporting his decisions and vision to improve the quality of education.
3. I organized a 4-H Club, coach T-ball, basketball, softball, sponsor field trips, Relay for Life, Boy and Girl Scouts, etc. I have served on the Superintendent Strategic Planning Committee, as a mentor, volunteer, chaperone, PTA/PTO President, vice president of School Improvement Council, band booster club, Griffins Athletic Club, etc.
4. The major issues are education, wasting taxpayers’ dollars, accountability, poor management and leadership.
5. My vision is Fairfield County School District exceeding the highest rating of test scores in SAT/ACT, PASS, HSAP and MAP tests; a rigorous curriculum, a state-of-the-art Career and Technology Center; and awarded excellent academically in the State of South Carolina.
6. My experience being a parent, grandmother, teacher assistant and having worked in an environment with children, teachers, administrators, etc. My knowledge and experience will impact the growth and development of an excellent school district.
District 6
(No incumbent)
William Frick
William Frick
1. Fairfield Central High School; BA, University of South Carolina; Juris Doctor, University of South Carolina School of Law; Master of International Business Studies (MIBS), University of South Carolina School of Business. Occupation: Attorney
2. Like many in Fairfield, I have grown frustrated with the turmoil that has existed in our school district over the last several years. I believe much of the problem lies with a board that lacks leadership and a clear understanding of its role as a policy maker, not a day-to-day operator of the schools of our county.
3. First and foremost, I live and work in our community. I have served on the board of directors for Fairfield County First Steps (former chair), Fairfield Behavioral Health Services (Chair), Winnsboro Rotary Club (Past President) and the Fairfield County Bar (Secretary/Treasurer).
4. I believe the ultimate issue is, as result of these years of turmoil, the people of Fairfield do not trust our school district to educate their children. This is evidenced by the fact that the population of our county has grown slightly over the last decade, yet the population of our high school continues to decrease. Folks are sending their children to other schools. That is an economic and intellectual drain on our community that must end.
5. I would like to see a school district that is not in turmoil. A district that has allowed its superintendent the ability to do his job and a school board that understands its role in the operation of our school district. I want to see a school district that the people of Fairfield again trust to educate their children.
6. I have served on several boards in our community and I understand the role of being a member of a board of directors. You do not run the operation day to day. You set policy, hire an executive and let that person do their job. I also believe that my professional, business and life experience can contribute to brining that understanding to our school board.
Thomas “Tony” Armstrong
(Write-in)
1. I have a two year degree in Network Tech. I work at a Local company in Jenkinsville as a Global Support Specialist
2. I have four children who go to school in Fairfield County, and I know what is and what is not working. I feel I can make some changes for the better.
3. I have been very involved in the community. I have taken part in the school board as parent, I help to run The Zion Hill Prevention Save The Kids, I take part in the school system by being part of the PTO and SIC.
4. The major issue is No Accountability.
5. My vision is to have the district in a place where the cost of educating the children will be down, the test grades will be going up, the school will be back to a 4A school.
6. I have children in the school, I have been involved in the education system, I will always be in the education system.
Property maintenance codes were the main topic at Tuesday’s work session for the town council of Winnsboro. The codes still need to be amended to include ordinances, procedures and enforcement. Mayor Roger Gaddy suggested having a third party look over the wording to finalize it.
“We want to make sure that what we have is consistent with the procedures of the country,” Gaddy said.
In order to ensure that the ordinances are being adhered to and enforced, the council has made a motion to hire a code enforcement officer. The code enforcement officer will work with both the Department of Public Safety and Building and Zoning. The code enforcement officer will begin their work based upon public complaints. The majority of complaints come from overgrown lots, abandoned cars, litter and, on rare occasions, a dilapidated home. With the huge job looming, Councilman Danny Miller said there is only one way to deal with the looming task.
“How do you eat an elephant?” Miller asked. “One bite at a time”
The code enforcement officer will respond to complaints and then conduct an investigation followed by a possible citation being issued. After the citation is issued, the case will then be taken up with the municipal court. A monthly report will be required by the town council about the code enforcement officer’s progress. Reports will include the number of complaints received, how many citations issued and the result of the investigation.
Council will hold their next regular meeting on Nov. 5 at Town Hall.
The 2012 general election is Nov. 6, and The Voice recently reached out to Fairfield County’s local candidates with a brief question-and-answer survey to help voters make a more informed choice.
This week, we present the candidates for the S.C. Senate, District 17 and S.C. House, District 41. Next week, The Voice will preview the candidates for Fairfield County Council and the Fairfield County School Board of Trustees.
Our questions were:
1. Education/Occupation.
2. What inspired you to run for office?
3. How have you been involved in the community in the past?
4. What do you see as the major issues facing (County Government/School District)?
5. What is your vision of where (County Government/School District) should be in the next four years?
6. If you are an incumbent: What impact have you made during your term(s) in office? If you are a challenger: What differentiates you from your opponent, and what impact do you expect to have?
The candidates said:
S.C. House District 41
(no incumbent)
MaryGail Douglas (D)
1. Attended public schools in Fairfield County and the USC School of Nursing.
2. I’ve always been interested in the workings of government and its people, especially Fairfield County. There is a sense that many in leadership roles do not listen to the people they represent.
3. After working at the local hospital, I became Director of the Fairfield County Council on Aging. It was during this time that I became more engaged in issues on a county and state-wide level. While serving as President of the S.C. Association of Council on Aging Directors, I learned more about the outsider-insider workings with legislation.
4. The County government is not responsive to the county stakeholders: the taxpayers. In the school district, we have too many chiefs, too much money going out and there seems to be no ‘gatekeeper;’ although I hear good things about the Superintendent. Board members are elected to develop policy, not micromanage the daily operations. Get out of the way and let him do the job you hired him to do.
5. For the County: Establish a rapport with the community that embraces needed changes in the county to make Fairfield County more progressive. Develop a written plan that includes more than buying up buildings and land. For the School District: Allow the current superintendent to develop a plan of action for the district. The school board would sign off on this plan, then provide the needed stools and support. Monitor and evaluate that plan at reasonable intervals.
6. I know more about my strengths and weaknesses than I do my opponent’s, so I will not begin to state the differences between us. I have the communication skills and the people skills to work for District 41. I am a listener and I will speak up on behalf of those I will represent, and I will do it in a way that is respectful and honorable for the entire District.
William Gray
William Gray (R)
1. Bethel High School, Blythewood, S.C. 1966. Benedict College, Columbia, S.C.; B.A. Social Studies, 1970 University of South Carolina; Master’s of Art, Political Science 1972, and Master’s of Public Administration (M.P.A.) 1973.
2. I felt very deeply that I had much to offer to the citizens of S.C District 41, based on my education and experience. I want to be a servant of the people and help create a viable two-party system.
3. For many years I have fostered and fought for equality for all people. I helped to bring about the elected School Board in Fairfield, and served as chairman of that effort. I was one of three individuals to file the first lawsuit for Single Member Districts for County /council, although the suit failed (the lawyer brought suit against wrong organization. After a three-day hearing, the federal judge dismissed the suit). I was also instrumental in passing a bond issue for building the new high school.
4. Major issues are voter apathy, the educational system, economic development, Fairfield work force skill development and the racial divide between whites and blacks.
5. My vision is that we must be willing to plot a new course for the 21st century. To implement ways to foster economic development, to create sustainable economic development, to create an environment for work force development and working toward better race relationships. All of this begins with having a top-notch educational system.
6. My community and political involvement, my education and experience, and my relationships with the Republican leadership and, if elected, being able to hit the ground running.
S.C. State Senate, District 17
Creighton Coleman
Creighton B. Coleman (D)
(Incumbent)
1. Graduated from Mount Zion Elementary School in 1969, Winnsboro High School in 1974, The Citadel in 1979, University of South Carolina School of Law in 1985.
2. I have always been involved in politics and it is in my blood. Both in my law practice and in public office, I try to help people from all walks of life to solve their issues.
3. My involvement is not only in this community, but other communities as well: My commitment started at an early age and has continued throughout my life. I assisted my father in running for Congress and Solicitor when I was in elementary school. I assisted long-time Senator John A. Martin when he ran for public office by stuffing envelopes. I campaigned for Strom Thurmond in his many Senate elections and later worked for him in Washington, D.C., and Columbia, South Carolina. I campaigned for John Spratt in his many Congressional campaigns. I Campaigned for Republican Barney Giese for Solicitor in Richland and Kershaw counties. I have served as Chairman of the Fairfield County Democratic Party. I served in the S.C. House District 41 from 2001-2008. Since 2008, I have been serving District 17 in the S.C. Senate District 17. I also serve on the Vestry at St. Johns Episcopal Church, and I serve on the Public Defender Board for Chester and Fairfield counties and on the Congaree Land Trust Board.
4. The ability to attract businesses and industries for high-quality, good paying jobs. The current lack of a comprehensive long-range countywide development plan to accomplish the above. Providing the necessary stability and resources for the Fairfield County School District in order for all students to excel.
5. My vision is for the Fairfield County government to implement a long-term comprehensive strategic plan for attracting businesses and industries to our county that will offer high quality jobs to our citizens. I was successful in obtaining a $40,000 grant from Santee Cooper, and it is my continued vision for this county that county government will adopt and utilize the grant to accomplish this critical long-term planning.
My vision for the school district is that every student be given a top quality education from kindergarten through graduation, and that the resources provided to the school district be appropriately allocated to the classroom where the learning takes place.
Further, with regard to our county government, because of the nuclear reactors and the tax money generated now and in the future, I would like residential property taxes to be abolished and industrial property taxes (10 percent) to be greatly reduced. Think of the impact this will have in attracting people and industry.
6. Locally, I was instrumental in establishing the “C” Funds Committee, which reorganized the method by which funds are appropriated for roads and sidewalks. Previously, the decision to repave roads was made by one person; this reorganization now provides for decision making equally across the county by a committee, rather than one individual.
I was instrumental in getting the Senate to pass Bill #H 3720, the Data Center Tax Exemption bill. Because of this new tax structure, the State of South Carolina can now compete with our neighbors, North Carolina and Georgia, in recruiting large data centers that provide computer support for companies such as Apple, Google and Facebook.
In Chester County, I was able to help Chester Wood Products solve their smokestack issues, preventing a shutdown by the Department of Health and Environmental Control, thus preventing the loss of jobs for 400 employees. The company is now prospering and, in fact, has 40 new employees.
Over the past four years I have introduced more than 20 bills, one of which was #S 0717, which provided a sales tax incentive to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, a company that replicates natural disasters in order to study disaster building codes. In turn, the Institute invested $40,000,000 (40 million dollars) in our region and provided jobs for 17 employees. In addition, this company is featured often on the Weather Channel, offering excellent public relations for Chester County and South Carolina.
I introduced the Rural Infrastructural Bank Bill, a bill that helps rural South Carolina. This entity administers monies to rural counties for their infrastructure, such as water and sewer.
Realizing that Fairfield County’s water supply and infrastructure needs assistance, I contacted entities with expertise in this area. I contacted South Carolina Electric and Gas (SCE&G), which has ongoing discussions with the Town of Winnsboro concerning providing water from V.C. Summer Lake. In addition, I contacted Santee Cooper, which has expertise in setting up joint water agencies in Clarendon County and Dorchester County.
I was appointed by the Republican Leadership to represent the S.C. Legislature on the Catawba Bi-State River Commission. This entity oversees the Catawba River chain in North Carolina through South Carolina.
I was appointed by the Republican Chairman of the Judiciary on the Family Court Study Committee to study custody issues in South Carolina’s Judiciary.
Robert Carrison
Robert Carrison (R)
1. College of Lake County, Grayslake Ill.; Air University, Maxwell Al.: Certified Avionics Tech.
Information Technology Technician, Fairfield County Government
2. I am running for Senate because I know I have much to offer in the effort to improve the state of our State. Hard times are upon us and we must lay the groundwork for a successful recovery. These efforts will require someone with a breadth and depth of life experiences and the time to dedicate to the effort. These efforts will take more than someone willing to serve. It will require someone willing to lead and someone unafraid of the challenges facing us for our generation, our children and grandchildren’s generations and those generations yet unborn.
3. I served four years on the Winnsboro Town Council and was voted Best of the Best Elected Official by the readers of The Herald Independent. I served for four years on the Winnsboro Downtown Development Assn. While on Town Council, we were able to secure the mineral rights to the Rion Quarry and build the infrastructure to supplement the Winnsboro Reservoir, which was crucial in assuring adequate water during our recent drought (not a perfect solution, but without that foresight we would have had a catastrophe). I also led the effort to implement the Downtown Streetscape, a facelift that was sorely needed for our main business district. I have years of experience in industrial and retail management and know how to build teams and get things done.
4. I think that the number one issue facing the 17th District is economic development, meaning specifically: JOBS! Jobs don’t magically appear. Employers build their businesses where the conditions for success are best. This means a well-trained work force is critical to recruitment of job creators. We can either import a work force or train one. My preference would be to train those people who are currently here; however, this will require that our system of education become nimble and responsive. I will author and/or support legislation that will lead to a state- of-the-art education system for our people, young and old alike. This would necessarily include vocational, technical and apprenticeship programs
5. I see a new reliance by our citizens on our State Government for services and leadership. I think the Federal Government’s role in our lives will be reduced primarily because the Federal Government has run up so much debt. We must manage affairs on a State level so our citizens will have confidence in the State’s ability to provide essential services, especially law enforcement and emergency services
6. I am a Constitutional Conservative, I don’t spend money I don’t have. I will not author or support legislation that creates new boards, committees, commissions or any additional layer of Government.
What was once Town Council’s widely publicized plan to build a replica, of sorts, of the town’s former train station in the town park to serve as a museum and meeting place for community and civic organizations, has since morphed into a closely guarded plan to build a restaurant that will have an exclusive contract with the Town to cater events held at the Town Council’s soon to be finished Doko Manor, also located in the park.
Sources close to the project who are not authorized to talk about the plans, have told The Voice that the town has applied for a $1 million grant that it hopes to use to build the restaurant building. According to sources, the Town will lease the building to a restaurateur out of Camden. While the restaurateur would not speak on the record about specifics of the project, he did say he was excited about the opportunity.
“We are still in negotiations at this point,” he said, “but we don’t have a final timetable yet.”
In August, Town Council passed a resolution to pursue the mostly secret venture as an economic development project. The resolution stated that the Town could “use funds paid by a utility to fund certain eligible infrastructure projects owned or constructed by the Town.”
Town Administrator John Perry told The Voice that the town planned to use those funds, provided by Fairfield Electric Co-op, to landscape the grounds around the proposed building [restaurant].
Asked if the town still plans to build the depot replica if the restaurant is built, Mayor J. Michael Ross said that it does not.
For the last 12 years, the town government has promised that the proposed depot would eventually provide a meeting room for the community’s civic organizations.
“But we are not going to leave them without a meeting place,” Ross said. “We just don’t have that part figured out yet.”
The idea of building a replica of the town’s former depot came when 18 of the 37 members of the Blythewood Community Association agreed, in 1999, to donate the 5-acre Community Center property to the Town along with the Association’s cash assets ($800). While there were no restrictions on how the town might dispose of the property or use the proceeds from its sale, the $800 was to be used to develop land set aside for the town park.
In appreciation for the donation, the town’s mayor at that time, Roland Ballow, promised the Association’s members that the town would build a replica of the depot that would include a meeting room that members of the Community Association and other civic organizations in the community could use at no charge.
The Town’s contract with Sharpe Properties, LLC to purchase the 5-acre Blythewood Community Center property for $2.65 million has expired and the property is back on the market, according to Mayor J. Michael Ross.
Larry Sharpe, who owns Sharpe Properties, LLC, told The Voice there had been some uncertainties about the property’s water source, but that the final sticking point was the requirement of a new zoning ordinance passed by the Town in August that buildings constructed on six specific intersections in the Town must be built three stories in height. Sharpe owns properties at five of the six intersections. The Community Center property is one of those sites.
Sharpe said he learned about the three-story building requirement in The Voice.
Sharpe secured the Community Center property with earnest money in June 2011, and signed the contract with the Town Nov. 16.
A due diligence clause allowed Sharpe 120 days in which to “see if it will work,” Sharpe told The Voice. When the contract was about to expire in April 2012, it was extended for 60 days. Another extension was granted by Town Council on May 15. A third 60-day extension was granted in July. That contract expired on Oct. 17, and has not been renewed by Sharpe.
Realtor Jake Knight, of The Knight Company, appraised the property for the Town, assessing it at $2,125,700 in 2009 Knight was then chosen by Town Council in November 2010 to market the property.
Council voted to pay Knight a guaranteed monthly fee of $1,500 for up to 18 months. Knight told the Council that Town Administrator John Perry had suggested the flat rate sales fee.
Since Knight had the option to represent both the buyer and the seller, he would also receive a 4 percent commission in addition to the guaranteed monthly payments. The Town paid Knight, $27,000 plus expenses during the past 18 months since Sharpe’s contract had not been finalized.
The sale had been welcomed by Council at a time when construction of the park was halted because of a shortage of funds to go forward with planned projects. The $5 million bond has been exhausted and Council members hoped the funds from the sale of the Community Center could be used to build more projects in the park.
Asked about the Town’s current plans for marketing the Community Center, Mayor Ross said, “Well, now that the sign has come down, we’re going to have the property reappraised and put it back up for sale. We’re going to regroup.”
Under its contract with Sharpe, the Town financed the sale with a purchase money mortgage over five years. The property sale price included a 3.25 interest rate.
If you have questions for any of the candidates for Richland County School District 2 School Board or Richland County Council, you can ask them tonight.
A candidate forum, sponsored by the Blythewood Citizen’s Watch Association, is being held at the Columbia Country Club from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
“We will invite questions from the audience,” said Sam Brick, president of Citizen’s Watch. “But we aren’t going to let the candidates or the questioners get into any arguments, and we won’t allow any follow-up questions. We could be there all night if we did. This is a great chance to meet and talk with the candidates right here in Blythewood.”
There will be four candidates for County Council and seven for School Board.
The County Club is located at 135 Columbia Club Drive. For more information about the forum, see ad on page 2.
