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Tag: Billy Smith

  • Council says goodbye to Smith

    WINNSBORO – Billy Smith is going out like Ted Williams.

    Since his election four years ago, the departing Fairfield County Council chairman has set a new standard for Fairfield County government from bringing parliamentary procedures to meetings to getting things done. Smith, his council and administration have challenged a major utility over a failed nuclear plant, successfully fought for the repurposing of the crumbling Mt. Zion Institute for administrative offices, helped broker major economic deals, including one this week that promises to create 250 jobs, brought state of the art emergency health care to the county brought civility and efficiency to county council meetings – no mean feat.

    Councilwoman Bertha Goins thanks Council Chairman Billy Smith for his service. | Michael Smith

    Not bad for a 28-year-old.

    Elected at age 24, Smith is moving to Louisiana where his wife has accepted a position with LSU. Smith announced in June that he wasn’t seeking re-election. He officially steps down Dec. 31.

    “Being on council has been a very challenging and humbling experience,” he said. “But most of all it’s been self-rewarding, both internally and externally. It’s given me experiences that I never thought that I would have had.

    “I hope in the next few years I’ll be able to see the progress that’s been built on the foundation the county laid, and see the positive benefits from that,” Smith continued.

    Council members honored Smith at Monday night’s council meeting, his last as chairman.

    They presented him with an award honoring his service and held a reception following the meeting. Councilman Dan Ruff, who is also stepping off council, was honored as well.

    Bertha Goins, vice-chairman of the council, said Smith was, “an excellent team leader” who led by example.

    “You’re a tough, young man and you need to stay that way,” Goins said. “You’ve had concern and compassion for the team and for the public as well. May God bless you and continually open doors for you.”

    Ten people signed up to speak during the first public input session, and two more in the second session. Several took time to thank Smith for his service.

    One woman, who fought tears from the podium, said Smith has developed into “such a fine young man,” saying he always kept residents in mind.

    Fairfield County resident Kathy Faulk, a spokeswoman with the Hoof & Paw Benevolent Society, has worked closely with Smith over the past several months on a new animal control ordinance, which passed third reading Monday night.

    “Thank you to Mr. Smith for your service and your hard work. You will be missed, and we wish you well in this next phase of your life,” she said.

    Representing District 7, Smith was elected to County Council in 2014. He was elected chairman two years later, making him one of the youngest – if not the youngest – council chairs in the state.

    But don’t mistake his youth for inexperience.

    Smith possesses a deep understanding of the issues, allowing him to confront difficult political topics, from the failed V.C. Summer nuclear plant to the school district’s proposed Teacher Village.

    Smith scored several political victories over the past several months.

    He successfully lobbied to repurpose the Mt. Zion building into a new county administration building.

    Under his leadership, the county is on the verge of finalizing a major economic development deal with Healthcare US Co. Lt., which has announced plans this week to expand operations into the old Mack Truck building, creating 250 jobs and investing $45 million.

    Smith’s preparedness allowed him to run fluid, efficient meetings, in which he breezes through agenda items like an auctioneer. He said his style helped bring consistency and order to meetings in which complex topics are often up for debate.

    “When you make up rules as you go along, you unfortunately apply those rules differently as well,” Smith said. “I wanted to get away from that. I wanted to get everyone on the same page and have them understand what the rules are. The goal of a meeting is to conduct the business of the county.”

    As for the future, Smith doesn’t know if he’ll seek public office again after making the move to Louisiana, though he didn’t rule anything out.

    “I saw an opportunity to help the place (Winnsboro) I call home, then help it improve, and I took that opportunity,” Smith said.

  • FC animal abusers rarely jailed

    WINNSBORO – Chances are good you won’t go to jail for abusing animals in Fairfield County.

    Time after time, persons charged with animal abuse-related offenses were allowed to plea for reduced punishment and received probation. Even felony charges were typically plea-bargained to misdemeanors. Many times, charges were dropped altogether, according to court documents.

    In some instances, offenders were more likely to spend time behind bars for nonviolent offenses, such as trespassing, open container of alcohol or gambling violations, documents show.

    Further, the Fairfield County Public Index lists jail sentences for at least two defendants for the offense of “dogs running at large.”

    Two others charged in grisly animal abuse cases – one in which a cat was methodically tortured and killed and another in which a dog was dragged – served no time in prison after their trials.

    Sixth Circuit Solicitor Randy Newman Jr. couldn’t be reached for comment.

    County Council Chairman Billy Smith said he thinks the problem rests primarily with enforcement.

    “I don’t think the problem has been so much the laws in place. I think the laws in place are sufficient to prosecute the cases,” Smith said. “Why those cases are allowed to be pled is something I wish I knew the answer to.”

    By the numbers

    A review of the County Public Index, a database that lists criminal cases filed in the County, found at least 13 animal-related abuse or neglect cases adjudicated since 2015.

    The review included cases handled by the Sheriff’s Office and the Town of Winnsboro Police Department. It didn’t include pending animal abuse cases, nor did it include incidents that didn’t result in criminal charges.

    Four animal abuse cases, all of which were deposed in 2016, were nolle prossed, or non-criminal disposition of a criminal case, as defined by S.C. Judicial Department.

    Court records list indictments for all four defendants.

    Indictments are court documents stating that there is sufficient evidence present for a criminal case to move forward.

    But the cases do not move forward. They are settled with little punishment.

    In perhaps the most glaring example of leniency granted to an animal abuser, a Ridgeway man facing up to five years in prison for torturing and killing a cat received probation in 2017.

    The solicitor allowed the case to be pled and the court sentenced then 18-year-old Christopher Pauley of Ridgeway to three years, suspended to three years of probation. The penalty was inclusive of a second charge of intimidation later plea bargained to assault and battery, second degree, court records show.

    Pauley did, however, spend several months behind bars before his trial.

    Court records state he was arrested Dec. 27, 2016 on the animal abuse charge and posted $5,000 bond on Feb. 27, 2017.

    On March 14, 2017, he was charged with intimidation of court officials, jurors, or witnesses, and jailed again until the June 1 trial date, court records show.

    At Pauley’s sentencing hearing, the prosecution said that according to a witness, Pauley said he beat the cat, set it on fire and hung it from a tree in a garbage bag over the span of several days.

    That witness did not appear in court.

    “To be accurate, the officer found a black trash bag with maggots and fur inside. She also found a lighter and an ax with fur on the blade,” assistant solicitor Croom Hunter told the court.

    State law defines the felony offense of animal cruelty as when a person, “tortures, torments, needlessly mutilates, cruelly kills, or inflicts excessive or repeated unnecessary pain or suffering upon an animal or by omission or commission causes these acts to be done.”

    A person convicted of this offense, “must be punished by imprisonment of not less than one hundred eighty days and not to exceed five years and by a fine of five thousand dollars,” the law states.

    Despite what’s written in state law, Pauley was still allowed to plead to the lesser misdemeanor charge of ill treatment of animals, even with prior conviction in his record.

    More mercy for abusers

    Pauley’s case, though one of the most graphic, isn’t unique in terms of animal cruelty offenders receiving plea agreements

    Brian Smith, 41, of Winnsboro, faced 180 days to five years in prison for a felony charge of ill treatment of animals/torture after he shot a dog in March 2016.

    Smith claimed he shot the dog because he thought it was the same animal that had attacked his mother’s dog, but no evidence of that was ever presented in court.

    In the end, Smith was sentenced to 90 days, suspended to 90 days of probation and fined $1,500 at a hearing in May 2017.

    One of the last photos of the Alexander pit bull. The dog, approximately 3- to 4-years old according to Animal Control estimates, was malnourished and emaciated beyond recovery and later euthanized by the County. (Fairfield County Photo)

    Katera Latrice Alexander of Winnsboro also eluded prison after she was allowed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor ill treatment of animals charge, also in May 2017.

    Alexander, 29, also received a 90-day suspended sentence. Her only other punishment was to perform 25 hours of community service, court records state.

    The then 28-year-old Alexander left a dog chained to the porch, starving it to the point that the dog later had to be euthanized.

    In another instance, a man charged with dragging a dog dodged prison time.

    Billy Ray Huskey, 41, of Great Falls, was charged with the felony charge of ill treatment of animals in general/torture charge, but was allowed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of ill treatment of animals.

    According to police records, witnesses said Huskey dragged a nine-month-old dog for about a mile on the highway behind his Dodge Ram pickup truck Dec. 13, 2015. Huskey pleaded guilty in July 2016. He was sentenced to 90 days, suspended to three years of probation, which expires 12 months from now.

    These cases and others like them resulted in penalties often far less severe than non-violent offenses.

    Court records list a 10-day jail term for a Winnsboro woman pleading guilty in 2017 to a “dogs running at large” violation.

    The same “dogs running at large” offense fetched a 15-day sentence or fine for a Winnsboro man found guilty in a July 2017 bench trial, documents state.

    In 2015, a Rebecca Boulware, 52, of Chester, was sentenced to 30 days with credit for time served on a charge of gambling/unlawful possession/operation of slot, video, vending machine or gambling device, according to Fairfield County court records.

    This story is part 1 of a 3-part series.

    Related: No additional time, no fine for cat abuser, RW man charged with torturing cat,  Felony Dog Abuse Case Awaits Trial,  Again, no time, no fine for County’s animal abuses,  Woman Charged in Dog Starvation, Charges Being Upgraded in Dog Starvation Case,  Charges pending in dog starvation, Dog Abuser gets 25 hours,  Arrest made in Dog Dragging Case, Hearing Scheduled in Dog Dragging Case, Dog Abuse Case Delayed, Dog Case Returned to Fairfield, ‘A Horrible Thing’,

     

  • Council sweetens Taylor’s contract

    WINNSBORO – Fairfield County’s administrator and clerk to council are getting raises.

    Following a lengthy executive session that included six discussion items, Fairfield County Council voted unanimously to extend County Administrator Jason Taylor’s contract for another year.

    The council also voted to increase the period of compensation in the event of termination without cause to two years.

    Lastly, council members approved a 3.44 percent pay raise, increasing Taylor’s salary from $123,997.60 to $129,297.52.

    “Jason, I think you do a great job,” said Billy Smith, the council’s chairman.

    Smith announced in June that he wouldn’t seek re-election when his seat expires in December.

    “I’m going to miss you when I’m gone,” Smith said.

    Smith had similar words of praise for Clerk to Council Patti Locklair. She received a pay raise of 4 percent by unanimous vote of the council.

    “I’m going to miss working with you,” Smith said.

    Both Taylor and Locklair received similar pay raises last year, with Taylor receiving a contract extension last year as well.

    Taylor was hired as the county administrator in May 2016. He came to Fairfield County from Jasper County, where he was previously the town administrator for Ridgeland since 2002.

    He also spent eight years with the S.C. Department of Social Services and four years as Saluda County’s economic development director.

    Also discussed in executive session were items relating to the purchase of property at the Fairfield Memorial Hospital site.

    In addition, council members discussed a contractual matter concerning “Discussion of Funding in Accordance with the County’s Contract on Emergency Room Services with Providence/LifePoint and Fairfield Memorial Hospital.”

    No action, however, was taken on either item.

    At the June 25 meeting, council members voted to present a memorandum of understanding to Fairfield Memorial to purchase “some or all” of the property. The council voted in May to open negotiations leading to a possible purchase agreement for two medical offices and the rehab facility.

    The hospital property must be unencumbered by liens or other attachments to the title, according to the motion approved in June.

    Hospital officials said following the board’s June meeting that those talks have been positive.

    As to Providence Health, Fairfield County and the Columbia-based health provider have partnered to build a new emergency room, which is being built off U.S. 321 bypass across from Bi-Lo.

    County Council has pledged $1 million annually for 10 years to Providence Health in support of the new ER.

    At the Fairfield Memorial Hospital board meeting in June, Joseph Bernard with Providence Health told trustees the facility should be completed in November, with a grand opening of the ER possible by mid-December.

    Advertising for jobs should begin sometime this month, Bernard said.

  • Chairman contests response to proposed ordinance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Gilbert, Brandenburg seek District 7 seat

    WINNSBORO – As County Council Chairman Billy Smith has announced that he will not seek re-election to his council seat representing District 7, two candidates have announced their intentions to run for that seat.

    Gilbert

    Clarence Gilbert sent a letter to The Voice this week declaring his intentions to seek Smith’s seat.

    A Fairfield native, Gilbert, 65, is not new to political life. Although he has not run for public office, he is currently the vice-chairman of the Fairfield Memorial Hospital Board. He has also served on the Behavioral Health Substance Abuse Board for six years and serves on the Deacon Board at St. Mark Baptist Church in Simpson where he also serves as chairman of the stewardship ministry and is a founding father of the Brotherhood Ministry. He also sings in the Brotherhood Choir.

    Gilbert has owned his own business, Gilbert’s Landscaping and Lawn Services, for 18 years. He is married to Deloris Gilbert and they have two adult sons and four grandchildren.

    Brandenburg

    Lisa Brandenburg has also filed to run for Smith’s seat. Brandenburg, who is employed as Coordinator of Intervention in special services for the Fairfield County School District, has been employed by the District for more than 30 years, serving as a teacher, assistant principal and principal. While Brandenburg has not held public office, she was recently a candidate for the Fairfield County School Board.

    Brandenburg is married to David Brandenburg and they have two adult children. David Brandenburg ran against Smith for the District 7 county council seat in 2014.

    Related: Smith: ‘I won’t seek reelection’,  Letter: I am Running for District 7

     

  • Smith: ‘I won’t seek reelection’

    Council chair ushered in meeting order, efficiency

    WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Council Chairman Billy Smith told The Voice on Tuesday that he will not see re-election to his council seat representing District 7. His term ends Dec. 31.

    Smith

    “My wife has accepted an associate professor position at Louisiana State University, so we’ll be moving to Baton Rouge over the course of the next year. She’ll be moving a little bit earlier than me. I’ll finish out my term on Council and wrap up some other things here, and then I’ll move as well, after the first of the year,” Smith said.

    Smith was, by at least 20 years, the youngest member of council when he was elected to represent District 7 in 2014, during a tumultuous government turnover that changed the council’s balance of power. In spite of his youth, Smith was soon elected chairman by his fellow council members and assumed a strong leadership role. Smith brought a new era to council, conducting orderly, efficient meetings with a strict adherence to parliamentary procedure.

    “Rachel and I would have preferred staying in Fairfield, but we’re having to make the decision that’s best for us and our future. It’s a really good opportunity that we just can’t pass up. It’s one of those things in life that you don’t have much control over,” Smith said.

    The couple was married last month following Rachel (Williamson) Smith’s spring graduation from the University of Georgia with a PhD in industrial-organizational psychology.

    While Smith, who grew up in Fairfield County, said he is looking forward to the couple’s new adventure, he said he is disappointed to have to leave the work he and the council have been devoted to for the last three and a half years.

    “Serving on council has been an extremely rewarding and humbling experience. I was elected at a time that I was able to really kind of dig in and help the county move forward,” Smith said. “We have a good, cooperative council now, and I think we’ve made a lot of big strides. A couple highlights of my time on council are that we managed to find and hire one of the best, most talented administrators in the state, and that we’ve helped to keep 24-hour emergency medical care in the county. Now we’re working, among other big things, toward keeping doctor’s care, primary care, local, and that’s important. We’ve made some good headway in economic development by setting a path for infrastructure improvements, so that the county can capture some of the projects as they come to the state,” Smith said.

    Smith said he feels the county is on a firm footing right now.

    “We’ve made great progress. The good news is that with a combination of citizens who care, council members who care and an administration that cares, we are doing the right things,” Smith said. “The county is on the right track, a positive track, and is headed in the right direction. Now we just need to keep it there and continue to invest in infrastructure, water and sewer, and our future. We should be successful if we do that, if we focus on the right priorities.”

    County Administrator Jason Taylor said he and the staff that works closely with Smith will miss him greatly.

    ”Working with Chairman Smith has been a pleasure,” Taylor said. “He is smart, fair and has proven to be a decisive leader. I have always appreciated his approach to decision making. He makes every effort to make an informed decision, based on facts, while also taking into consideration what is best for all of our citizens. His tenure as chairman coincided with some of the most difficult days in the County’s history, but throughout the abandonment of reactors 2 & 3 at VC Summer, Chairman Smith stood strong, and never wavered in his commitment to doing everything he could to improve things for the citizens of Fairfield County. I am proud to have worked with him.”

    Smith said he will continue to work hard on council until his term ends on Dec. 31.

    “We’ve got some important work to do,” he said. “I’m not just going to sit back for the rest of my time here. No one who knows me, I’m sure, expects that I will become disengaged just because my tenure is ending. I’m not that type of person. I’m driven and I’m going to keep focused on what we have to do, to help set the table for Fairfield County’s future.”

    Related: Gilbert, Brandenburg seek District 7 seat

  • FMH CEO takes unpaid leave

    Smith: Council Close to Making Offer on FMH Campus

    WINNSBORO – After a relatively short, uneventful meeting Tuesday evening, the Fairfield Memorial Hospital board came out of executive session and voted unanimously to give an unpaid, one month leave of absence, beginning in June, to the hospital’s CEO Susie Doscher. There was no other explanation concerning the leave.

    County Council Chairman Billy Smith told The Voice in an interview on Tuesday that Council is moving closer to making an offer on a portion of the hospital campus. He said the offer could come as early as the next council meeting.

    “We’re interested in the two medical office buildings – the one housing Fairfield Medical Associates and the John Martin Primary Care facility,” Smith said. “The appraisal for those two is right at $1.6 million. If we add the rehab facility, that appraisal jumps up to about $1.9 million.”

    Smith said the offer depends on removal of the liens from the property.

    “They need to remove the liens if we’re going to purchase the property,” Smith said. “We’re not going to make an offer so long as it has liens.”

    Smith said there are no other obstacles to the making an offer that he is aware of.

    The next council meeting is May 29 at 6:30 in the County building.

  • County grants full Chamber funding

    WINNSBORO— In a span of two weeks, the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce went from facing an inactive status to being fully funded.

    Fairfield County Council voted unanimously Monday night to appropriate $87,507 to the Chamber, satisfying the group’s annual funding request, but with some caveats.

    The Chamber had to provide the county with a plan for how it plans to spend the money.

    It must also allow the council chairman to appoint a council member to the board. The appointee will have voting powers, but will not be an officeholder, such as secretary or treasurer.

    “I appreciate folks at the Chamber stepping up and giving that to us,” Council Chairman Billy Smith said. “That was a big step.”

    After the meeting, Smith said the conditions boiled down to providing accountability for Fairfield County taxpayers.

    “We asked [the chamber] to come in and speak with us in regard to those type of concerns,” Smith said. “What I expected to be routine-type questions and answers turned into routine questions and strange answers.”

    Two weeks before the vote, the Chamber told The Voice it had voted to become “inactive” effective June 30, citing “limited financial support” as a driving reason.

    The vote to become inactive was held in a meeting that was not advertised as required by state open meeting laws.

    Citing concerns over the Chamber’s plans, Council members signaled they would slash annual funding from $87,500 to $25,000, and gave the Chamber a May 9 deadline to detail how it would spend council funding.

    The ultimatum paid off.

    Smith said he thinks the Chamber is now heading in a positive direction, noting former Chamber president and CEO Terry Vickers, appointed to temporarily lead the Chamber, is working to turn things around.

    “The chamber is a great asset to the county and it would be greatly missed,” said Councilman Dan Ruff.

    The council’s vote also drew praise from at least one member of the public.

    “I’m seeing more accountability. You’re holding people accountable, you’re holding each other accountable,” Ridgeway resident Randy Bright said during public input. “You held the chamber accountable and you got good results.”

  • FMH employees air concerns about leadership

    WINNSBORO—At Monday’s meeting, council members listened intently as the director of Fairfield Memorial Hospital’s Rehabilitation Center openly criticized hospital leadership during public input.

    “We question and don’t quite understand decisions made by administration, such as finances, priorities at this stage of the game and treatment of employees,” Laura Willingham, the hospital’s rehabilitation director, said. “Of course we’ll do what we’re asked to do. But it’s still disconcerting.”

    Willingham also emphasized the need to keep a rehab facility in Fairfield County as opposed to having rehab patients travel to Columbia for service.

    Smith commended Willingham for speaking publicly.

    “I think probably since I’ve been on council, it’s the most brave thing I’ve heard spoken to  us,” he said. “When we question some of the hospital administration, we’ve been chastised. I hope there are no reprisals against you.”

    Councilman Cornelius Robinson also signaled support for the rehab center.

    “Rehab is something that we need in Fairfield County,” Robinson said. “Each one of us is definitely thinking about it.”

    Sexual harassment suit filed

    Willingham’s address was unrelated to a developing legal matter involving Fairfield Memorial Hospital – a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former employee.

    Tabitha Williams, a former certified nursing assistant, made that claim in a lawsuit Feb. 22 in Kershaw County Circuit Court. The litigation was removed to federal court in March.

    The lawsuit says a human resources employee made several unwanted sexual comments to her shortly after he started working at the hospital in October 2016.

    The comments came during conversations at work, on the phone and via text message, according to the litigation.

    Williams further says the employee tried to “lure” her into a sexual relationship. The lawsuit calls him a “sexual predator.”

    She said the man fired her in August 2017, “ostensibly for reasons related to job performance,” the suit continues.

    “He began a period of inappropriate and aggressive communications with Plaintiff in and out of the workplace,” the suit states. “Plaintiff is informed and believes that her termination resulted from her refusal to engage in sexual activity with Defendant.”

    In its response, the hospital denies the allegations.

    The hospital’s response says Williams refused to cooperate in an investigation of her claims. It further states Williams was fired for poor performance and attendance issues, court documents state.

    Williams is seeking damages for lost pay, embarrassment and humiliation, punitive damages, legal fees and other unspecified damages.

    No trial date has been set, though in April a deadline of Jan. 2, 2019 was set to complete mediation.

    County Mulls FMH purchase

    While the diagnosis doesn’t look good for Fairfield Memorial Hospital, efforts to resuscitate parts of it by buying some health care properties are underway.

    At Monday night’s meeting, some hoped the county would vote to purchase several parcels associated with the hospital property. That was one of three items on the agenda for discussion in executive session, but a vote did not materialize.

    Council Chairman Billy Smith predicts a vote will come soon.

    Smith said the county is interested in purchasing parcels encompassing the rehab center, as well as a couple of private practice offices. He hopes a third party will take over operations.

    “We’re close to making a decision. I was actually hoping for a little bit more in executive session tonight,” Smith said. “Certainly we hope to set it by the next meeting.”

  • Chamber Board meets secretly; votes to become ‘inactive’

    WINNSBORO – The elephant in the room was not mentioned during the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce’s monthly breakfast on Wednesday. That elephant was the surprise announcement on Monday that the Chamber Board voted for the Chamber to become ‘inactive’ as of June 30, 2018.

    While Facebook pages lit up with the news, neither the Chamber’s Board Chairman, nor any of the Board members mentioned the issue at the breakfast.

    Following the breakfast, when two Board members were asked by The Voice when and where the Board had met to vote for the ‘inactive’ status, neither would divulge the information. Board member Lou Ann Coleman accused The Voice of harassment for asking the question. In an email later that day, Coleman did respond that the vote was held during a meeting at the Chamber offices on April 19. However, no meeting had been posted for a Chamber Board meeting on that date.

    The S. C. Freedom of Information Act, Sec. 30-4-60 states, “Every meeting of all public bodies shall be open to the public unless closed pursuant to Sec. 30-4-70 of this chapter. In Sec. 30-4-80, it further states that notice must be given of meetings of all public bodies.

    “The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act requires not just governmental entities, but ‘any organization, corporation, or agency supported in whole or in part by public funds or expending public funds,’ to abide the Act’s transparency requirements,” S.C. Press Association attorney Taylor Smith said. “The Act provides that such organization must have meetings open to the public and that the public be notified of the time, location and agenda for the meeting. The failure to notify the public of an upcoming meeting of an organization is a violation of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act,” Smith said.

    “After carefully evaluating its feasibility, the Board of Directors unanimously voted to take this action,” the Board’s press release stated. “The primary factors that led to this decision included limited financial support, reduced participation during the traditional Chamber structured events, as well as limited volunteers,” the release stated.

    Asked to clarify whether the Board planned to disband the chamber on June 30, 2018, a source on the Board who asked not to be identified said the chamber will still file with the Secretary of State as an organization, but that it will become inactive as of June 30. Until that time, activities will go on as normal, the source said.

    The source also said all Chamber employees will be let go as of June 30, but that the Chamber will remain in an inactive state after June 30, the end of the Chamber’s fiscal year.

    Asked by The Voice to clarify ‘inactive,’ Shull answered in an email, “Inactive means not in operation.”

    In the email, Shull also stated that the newly hired Interim Director of the Chamber, Chris Timmers, who was hired March 1, would not be employed through June 30. On that same day, in a Facebook post, Board member Lou Ann Coleman posted that Timmers “is no longer employed by the Chamber. Ms. (Susan) Yenner is.”

    Asked to clarify Mr. Timmers’ employment status further, whether he would continue receiving a salary until June 30 even though he is no long employed, or if he received a separation package, Shull has not, at press time, responded.

    The Chamber is funded primarily by the County, at $87,500 annually, and by the Town of Winnsboro for Town sponsored events at $35,000 annually. In reference to the Chamber’s reported ‘limited financial support,’ County Council Chairman Billy Smith said he was surprised to hear that was a factor in the Board’s decision to go inactive.

    “No, the County has not cut the Chamber’s funding,” Smith said. “We have contemplated the idea of reducing it, but only because their representatives couldn’t answer basic questions Council members had about their plans for the future during our second budget work-session.

    “In a letter from Council that was delivered to the Board on April 17, Council offered the Chamber every opportunity to keep their County funding the same as it has been in the past. I offered assistance on planning. Now, I really don’t understand the suggestion of ‘limited financial support,’” Smith said.

    “Between County funding, the money the Town of Winnsboro gave the Chamber for the first time this year, and the proceeds from their golf tournament (which they said they aren’t going to do anymore),” Smith said, “ I’d think the Chamber had more financial support now than at any time before, at least in recent history.”

    Asked if he had seen a decrease in attendance at Chamber sponsored events, Chief John Seibles with the Winnsboro Department of Public Safety, which oversees safety of the festivals in the Town, including Rock Around the Clock and the Pumpkin Festival, said the crowd at last year’s Rock Around the Clock was large and orderly.

    “It [Rock Around the Clock] was larger than in past years and it ran smoothly as I recall,” Seibles said.

    Board Chairman Harper Shull has not returned phone calls from The Voice at press time.

    County Council Chairman Billy Smith sent the following letter to Chamber Board Chairman Harper Shull following Chamber Interim Director Chris Timmers’ presentation to Council during a budget workshop on April 17.

    Related: FC Chamber Board votes to become inactive, Council gives Chamber notice