WINNSBORO – Shortly before noon on Tuesday, Aug. 13, a pickup truck smashed into the front of a building at 116 S. Congress Street, in downtown Winnsboro.
Winnsboro Department of Public Safety Chief Patrick Clemens
said the truck had been stopped at the First Citizens Bank drive thru teller
when the driver stepped out of the truck to reach the teller machine.
“He then became stuck when the door wouldn’t open all the way,” Clemens said.” The driver then reached back into the truck to pull himself back in, and accidentally hit the gear shift, putting the truck into gear.”
The truck then traveled forward, according to Clemens, first striking the driver, then crossing the four lanes of S. Congress Street and crashing into the front of the Insurance of Fairfield building.
The building, which houses Homes 4 Sale, LLC and Nelco & Assoc., was not occupied at the time of the crash.
The driver of the truck was transported to a medical facility by Fairfield County EMS, but no information is available as to the extent of injury. No other injuries were reported.
The crash is under investigation by the WDPS.
This story was updated at 8:28 p.m. EST on August 13, 2024.
A house fire in western Fairfield County. | Photos: Fairfield County Fire Service
WINNSBORO – Long an advocate for full staffing of Fairfield County’s fire stations, County Councilwoman Peggy Swearingen has said more than once: “If you live in western Fairfield County and your house catches on fire, it’s going to burn down.”
Webb
While he doesn’t agree with Swearingen’s assessment, Fairfield County Fire Chief Jamie Webb says the county is in desperate need of volunteer firefighters to supplement the six full-time and one part-time paid firefighters.
“We have fewer than 90 volunteer firefighters right now,”
Webb said. “We need at least twice that many to adequately man the county’s 15
fire stations.”
Webb says there are only six full-time firefighters and one part-time. Of the 15 stations only six – Community, Greenbrier, Mitford, Jenkinsville, Ridgeway, and Dutchman Creek – have an assigned paid firefighter, and that’s only from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. An additional station – Lebanon – is manned by a paid firefighter from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., but for only two or three days of the week.
Unmanned Stations
That leaves eight stations unmanned.
“The advantage of having a paid firefighter at a station,”
Webb says, “is that when a call comes in, that firefighter can immediately
drive the firetruck to the call where it is joined by the volunteer
firefighters assigned to that station. That saves a lot of time.”
The eight stations that have no one manning them on any day
of the week, depend on volunteers assigned to that station. When a call comes
in to one of the unmanned stations, a volunteer assigned to that station has to
first travel to the station and then drive the truck to the call.
It gets worse. Four of the 15 stations are actually
substations that have neither paid nor volunteer firefighters assigned to them.
Those substations depend on volunteers assigned to other stations to answer
their calls, Webb says.
“We clearly have a great need for paid and volunteer
firefighters and would appreciate any help we can get to protect our
community,” says Webb, who’s been part of the fire service for 21 years.
“Back when I started volunteering, the county had over 150
volunteer firefighters,” he recalls. “Now it has fewer than 90.”
Nationwide Problem
“It’s not just a Fairfield problem,” he says. “There’s a
lack of volunteer firefighters statewide and nationwide. One reason is that
people no longer work close enough to home or are not able to leave work to go
on calls like in the old days,” he says. “Also, now, there’s training and other
time requirements. The number of people volunteering is just steadily
decreasing.
“And the volunteers we’ve had for a long time are getting
older and can’t do what they used to do,” Webb says.
He says there’s also been a shift in who’s signing up to
volunteer, with a noticeable lack of young people in their late teens, 20s, and
30s – the age group that has historically volunteered for the fire service
Benefits of Volunteering
Volunteer Sallie Williams
Webb wants to get the word out that the county provides a
great opportunity for anyone who wants to become a volunteer firefighter.
“The training – equipment, classes, required books and
learning materials – is provided free of charge,” Webb says.
Webb points out that volunteer firefighters also receive an
annual stipend (anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars), based
on how many points they’ve earned by responding to calls and attending
training. Volunteer firefighters can also qualify for a tax deduction.
“Being a firefighter – paid or volunteer – is one of the most
rewarding jobs you can have,” he says, “just knowing that you’re helping
somebody on what could be the worst day of their life.”
Webb says there’s also a junior firefighter program that
enables young people to complete their training beginning at age 16 and become
full-fledged firefighters by the age of 18.
Teens, Women Included
“We’re open to anybody willing to volunteer,” he says, and
I’m not talking about just men. We have 19 female volunteers, 1 female fulltime
firefighter and they’re some of the best.”
For anyone interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter,
Webb says the first step is to fill out a form that enables a background check
to be run.
After passing the background check, a physical is required
that’s paid for by the fire service and includes things like an exercise stress
test and blood work to ensure that the prospective volunteer is healthy and
physically able to do the job.
Volunteers train with a controlled fire.
Training
After completing the initial training, volunteer
firefighters must attend a certain number of additional trainings and call
responses each year.
Not all calls are fire calls. In 2023, based on call data,
the fire service received 1,395 total calls, but just 168 of those (12 percent)
were for fires: 23 were building fires and the remainder were cooking fires,
vehicle fires, woods and brush fires.
A larger number (43 percent) of the calls were medical
calls, and 242 (18 percent) were service calls to install smoke alarms that are
provided free for homeowners through a county program.
“Firefighters do a lot of jobs and wear many hats,” Webb
says. “And volunteers can specialize – they can choose to go just on medical
calls, drive and operate a fire truck, or direct traffic at the scene. We have
plenty of very important functions that do not involve fighting a fire.”
Webb emphasizes, however, that the county does desperately
need people who can show up to fight a fire.
Anyone with questions can reach out to the Fairfield County’s fire service’s main office, located at 880 West Moultrie Street in Winnsboro, on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., or call (803) 712-1070. Applications can be filled out electronically or in person, and more information can be found online at https://www.fairfieldsc.com/departments/fire-service/.
RIDGEWAY – The Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 annual meeting brought about 125 members and friends to The Farm at Ridgeway Wednesday night, July 24.
It was a night of dining, visiting, and dancing to the music of the Sherrie Cafaro Trio, with the presentation of the annual business awards being the highlight of the evening.
The event also marked almost a year for Dillon Pullen to serve as the new president of the chamber.
Chamber President Dillon Pullen presents the Fairfield Chamber’s Small Business of the Year award to Peace on Earth restaurant owners Mary and Domenic Nappa. | Photos: Barbara Ball
Small Business of the Year
The award for Small Business of the Year went to Peace on Earth Café and Consignment, located in downtown Winnsboro.
Owned by Mary and Domenic Nappa, Peace on Earth is a café, consignment shop and general store offering dine-in and take-out breakfast and lunch sandwiches, soup, baked goods and ice cream.
“As a ‘mom and pop shop’, Mary and Domenic put their love into their business, but as a two-person store, it takes everything they have,” said Shanta Lewis. “The Nappas praised their customers saying they are “always kind and patient as we serve everyone as if unto the Lord.”
The Small Business of the Year award is presented annually in honor of Terry Vickers, who was president of the Chamber for 22 years before retiring in 2018.
The Fitz-John Creighton McMaster Industry Partner of the Year award went to Luck Companies, parent company of Luck Stone, located in Fairfield.
Industry Partner of the Year
The Fitz-John Creighton McMaster Industry Partner of the Year award went to Luck Companies.
Luck Companies is the parent company of Luck Stone, which has operations in Fairfield County. In business for over 100 years, Luck Stone is the nation’s largest family-owned and operated producer of crushed stone, sand, and gravel. In 2023, Luck Stone began production in Fairfield County along US Hwy 34, just 1 mile west of I-77 in Ridgeway.
“Since before plant operations began in 2023, Luck has proven to be a valued member of our industrial community with a heart to get involved,” presenter Kimberly Roberts said. ”Over the last several years, they have donated tens of thousands of dollars to local non-profit organizations to assist with bettering our community.”
The Fitz-John Creighton McMaster Industry Partner of the Year award is presented to a large business or industry that has shown its commitment and dedication to Fairfield County and the citizens who call it home.
Patti Palmer accepted the Citizen of the Year award for Patsy Palmer.
Phillips-Edenfield Citizen of the Year
Patsy Palmer was named the Phillips- Edenfield Citizen of the Year. Palmer is a sixth generation Ridgeway native and the daughter of Patti Palmer and the late Bubba Palmer.
“Patsy has always had a love for Fairfield County, especially the senior citizens,” presenter Charlene Herring said. “After a few health crises, Patsy has devoted herself to being a kind and caring person and a responsible citizen who thinks of God’s wishes for her life throughout the day.”
Created in 2021, the award is named after Mrs. Hannah Phillips and Sam Edenfield, two Fairfield County citizens who have raised the bar for service in the county. The award is presented yearly to an individual who has dedicated themselves to enhancing the lives of the citizens of our county.
Board member Deborah McCutchen, right, presents the Chamber’s Tourism Partner of the Year award to Carolina Adventure World, represented by Jillian Sweat.
Tourism Partner of the Year
The Chamber’s newly established annual award – the Tourism Partner of the Year award – went to Carolina Adventure World.
A 3,000-acre off-road park located in Winnsboro, Carolina Adventure World boasts over 120 miles of trails, offering diverse terrains for enthusiasts, including mud bogs, speed tracks, and more. The park caters to various off-road vehicles, providing thrilling experiences for riders of all skill levels, including rentals and guided tours for those new to the sport. Beyond the excitement on the trails, Carolina Adventure World’s campus provides a range of camping amenities, including RV sites with water and electric hookups, cozy cabins, and dry-camping options. Guests can also enjoy the Park’s tavern and bar, along with numerous fun events and live music throughout the year, providing a vibrant and entertaining experience both on and off the trails.
Carolina Adventure World will host the inaugural Field & Stream Music Fest in October 2024. This outdoor lifestyle and country music festival will feature top artists and bands, such as Eric Church, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Lainey Wilson, Riley Green, ZZ Top, Bailey Zimmerman, and more. In addition to world-class musical performances, attendees can look forward to a variety of outdoor excursions and activities, making it a must-attend event for adventure and music enthusiasts alike.
Board Members
Winnsboro Mayor John McMeekin and his wife Lana.
The evening also signaled the departure of some members from the board – Vanessa Reynolds, Robbie Martin, and Vickie Maass – and the introduction of new board members:
Elbony Belton-Ashford – Board Chair, MUSC Director of Nursing
Tina Johnson – Vice Chair, Pecan Hill Estate
Kimberly Roberts – Treasurer, Clerk to Fairfield County Council
Charlene Herring – Ex-Officio, The Ivy Veranda
Shanta Lewis, TruVista Communications
Chris Hill, Fairfield County Coroner
Deborah McCutchan, Edward Jones Financial Group
Sgt. Ron Mull, Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office
Mary Nappa, Peace on Earth Café and Consignment
Chamber President Dillon Pullen made closing remarks that included a review of a year that has brought growth to the chamber, a new office building, and new leadership.
The Retreat at Lake Wateree catered dinner.
The Chamber’s annual awards program and dinner was held at The Farm in Ridgeway, with more than 100 in attendance.
Jim & Sue Rex (Sue is Chair of the FSCD Foundation) and Carla & Chris Clausen and their son Josiah. Clauson is the Winnsboro Town Manager.
Chamber Vice Chair Tina Johnson, Charlene Herring, and Pam and Donnie Laird.
FCSD Trustee Henry Miller, Ridgeway Councilwoman Belva Bush Belton, Sheriff Will Montgomery, and District 6 County Council candidate Oren Gadsen.
Webb Yongue, Capstone Group, and FCSD Superintendent Dr. Tony Hemingway
Caroline and Everett Stubbs, Republican candidate for State Senate District 17
Fairfield County Disabilities and Special Needs Director Laura Collins (standing, center) attended with her staff.
Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office employee and erstwhile event server Keryn Isenhoward
A reward is being offered to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for Eric Maybin’s murder.
The homicide that took place in May, 2024. Fairfield County Sheriff’s Investigators are continuing their efforts to bring closure for the victim’s family and seek justice for this heinous crime.
On May 23, 2024, at approximately 11:25 P.M., Maybin was tragically shot and killed while at his home located on Comet Dr. in the Jackson Creek Road area of Fairfield County. Maybin succumbed to his injuries after an unknown person shot into his home striking him multiple times.
Investigators believe that there are individuals in the community who may have valuable information regarding this case. The Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward to help solve this crime.
For any information possibly related to this homicide, please contact the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office at 803-635-4141. Tips can be submitted through the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office email at: FCSOTipline@gmail.com. Your information could be the crucial information needed to solve this heinous crime.
“The Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the cooperation and support of the community in their ongoing efforts to bring closure to this case,” Sheriff Will Montgomery said. “Together, we can make a difference and ensure that justice is served.”
WINNSBORO – Multiple candidates have filed to run for each of three seats on Fairfield County Council.
Greene
Corrao
Goldbach
District 2
Filing closed Tuesday with Ann Corrao and Don Goldbach
challenging incumbent Shirley Greene in District 2. Green is seeking her second
term on council.
Corrao, Goldbach, and Greene are all residents of Lake Wateree.
Roseborough
Bell
District 4
Carl Bell of Jenkinsville is running for the seat in
District 3 which is currently held by Tim Roseborough. Roseborough has served
one term on council.
Both Bell and Roseborough live in Jenkinsville.
Gadson
Bryant
District 6
Two candidates, Oren Gadson and Sarah Bryant have filed for
the seat in District 6 that has been held for the last two terms by Neil
Robinson. Robinson announced that he is not running for a third term.
Officials estimated the crowd at the fireworks event to be 7,000 to 8,000 or more. | Donald Brock
BLYTHEWOOD – The Town’s annual Red, White, and Blue fireworks event on July 3, produced what Town officials say was the largest crowd in the event’s 10 or so year history, setting the stage for one of the biggest celebrations the town has known. Town officials estimated the crowd at 7,000 to 8,000 people, maybe more.
The Blue Dogs, a band
out of Charleston, entertained. There were 15 or so food vendors; the weather
was beachy; and the town’s firework display was a crowd pleaser and came off –
as usual – without a hitch.
That’s not to say, however, that all went well, because it
didn’t.
Some families say they ended up running from the park, running for their lives – twice – during the six-hour event as the result of incidents prior to the official fireworks celebration and again after it was over.
While it appears from eye witness accounts that only about a
quarter of the park – in the restroom/playground area – was impacted by three
different incidents, the evening for those affected was marred by one person
leaving in an ambulance; an arrest when a teen brandished what appeared to be a
rifle (but was later determined to be a splat gun shooting water beads) and
fireworks being set off in the audience.
Many posted on Facebook and told The Voice that they were terrified and feared for their lives.
“We took our two small kids (ages 3 & 6) and we’re
traumatized. We heard what sounded like gunfire around Doko Park. We were in a
packed crowd of parents and children. Everyone in our sight started running and
screaming. We snatched our 2 kids, hopped the fence and ran without shoes and
hid in the dumpster area. Officers ran past with guns pointed down at the
ground, ready. People were running to the train tracks, to town, to the woods,
anywhere to get away. Some people laid on the ground or hid,” one Blythewood
resident reported in a Facebook post.
A number of attendees who posted on Facebook later told The
Voice that they became fearful as hundreds of teens roamed the quadrant of the
park that included the playground area and restrooms.
Blythewood’s Interim Town Administrator Daniel Stines confirmed that the town arranged for 12 sheriff’s deputies on site during the event, based on the Sheriff’s Department’s assessment. Councilman Donald Brock told The Voice that one or two other officers may have been called in during the event. In the past, crowds at the Red, White, and Blue fireworks events have topped at about 4,000 – 5,000, according to officials.
The arrest and other incidents occurred primarily inside the red circle on the map.
According to eyewitnesses, some of whom asked that their
names not be printed, there were three incidents occurring during and after the
event. Here’s what those witnesses said:
First Incident:
“At about 8:50 p.m., prior to the Town’s 9:30 p.m. firework
show, someone set off fireworks near the restrooms that made measured
pop-pop-pop sounds like gunfire. A large group of teens and others in the area
began running toward Langford Road. I was terrified as I ran with my 5-year-old
daughter,” – Marcella Yox, Fairfield County
Second Incident:
A woman who lives in Cedar Creek told The Voice that,
following the official firework show, a teen shot a Roman candle from an area
near her into the crowd. Councilman Donald Brock confirmed seeing two fireworks
of some kind shot into the crowd in that area. However, The Voice could not
verify through the public information office at the Richland County Sheriff’s
office that any fireworks had been set off in the audience.
Third Incident:
According to a Richland County Sheriff’s Department incident
report, at about 10:17 p.m., June 3, following the official firework show in
Doko Park while the crowd was clearing, two deputies reported observing a large
crowd of between 90-100 people screaming and running from the playground and
the surrounding area.
One of the officers then reported seeing an individual push
his way out through the gate to the playground with what appeared to be a rifle
in his hand (but later determined to be a splat gun.) The deputies then
attempted to apprehend the suspect, described as a 15-year-old.
During a chase that ended at Langford Road, the suspect
reportedly dropped his toy gun which was recovered by one of the officers.
The incident report noted that the officers believed the
suspect and another individual were shooting at each other in the
playground/restroom area with splat guns.
“This caused a crowd to run from the location and disrupted
the peace and tranquility of the public at the event and could have caused
injury to innocent bystanders,” the officers reported. The 15-year old suspect
was tackled by the officers near the entrance to the Allstate office on
Langford, across from town hall and arrested.
The teen was charged with Aggravated Breach of Peace and
transported to Alvin S. Glenn detention center.
At approximately the same time, a teenage girl with what
observers said was an injury to the side of her face, was wheeled on a
stretcher from the park to Langford Road, then down Langford Road to the
parking lot of Home Again Realty office at the intersection of Langford Road
and Main Street in downtown Blythewood where she was put into an ambulance.
It was reported by witnesses that an ambulance at the park
was unable to transport the girl out of the park because it was blocked by a
large crowd.
The Voice was unable to verify this information with the
Richland County EMS and Blythewood’s RCSD Station Six. RCSD’s public
information officer responded to The Voice that there were no incident reports
other than the one filed concerning the arrest of the 15-year-old male.
“The size of the crowd with the limited police presence was unsettling,”
said Anna Stalnacker of Cedar Creek. “When the crowd took off after the pop pop
pop sounds, I thought my husband and son-in-law were going to be trampled by
the crowd. We saw the deputies chasing and tackling the teen and we saw one
ambulance that couldn’t move because of the crowd and then the injured girl was
rolled on the stretcher within a couple of feet of our car down Langford Road
to another ambulance,” she said. “It’s unfortunate that a few poor decisions of
some of the attendees affected the event. I hope that this year’s event proves
to the town council that they need to re-evaluate their plans/processes to
ensure safety and success for future events and for so many people.”
Lifelong Blythewood resident Jim McLean, who has served the
Town on several boards including as a council member, said the event as he sees
it is getting away from being a family friendly event and would like to see
some changes made.
“It’s not child friendly,” McLean said.
“It doesn’t matter what [the sound] was, people want to
protect their families from danger,” one woman posted on Facebook. “If it turns
out that teenagers set off fireworks as a prank, there better be serious
repercussions for the mass hysteria caused. It’s not a prank to make people
think their children could lose their lives. I now know what it looks like for
my little children and people in our community to panic and fear for their
lives. I’m sick to my stomach over this.”
Blythewood’s Mayor Sloan Griffin did not respond after The Voice reached out for comment on July 5. He did issue a press release addressing the event on Tuesday, July 9.
Mayor Griffin’s Press Release
BLYTHEWOOD – On the evening of July 3, an incident at the
Rocking Red, White & Blue event at Doko Meadows Park caused panic among
some attendees. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) has confirmed
that the disturbance was caused by a device known as a “splat gun,” a
water/paintball-type gun. The sound and discharge from this device prompted
alarm and confusion.
The individual responsible for this disruption was swiftly
taken into custody by RCSD deputies for causing a public disturbance.
In response to this incident, the Town of Blythewood is
implementing several enhanced security measures to ensure the safety and
enjoyment of all our residents and visitors at future events:
Perimeter Fencing: We will install perimeter fencing around Doko Meadows Park to aid access control.
Clear Bag Policy: All guests will be required to bring clear bags and will go through metal detectors upon entry.
Increased Law Enforcement: While this year’s event included additional law enforcement, Blythewood will continue to work with our Richland County Law Enforcement team to strengthen security efforts for future events to include but not be limited to an increase in officers and show of force
Youth Admission Policy: Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is 21 years or older.
Playground Area Use: Additional Deputies and Security personnel will be assigned to the playground area to ensure only age-appropriate users are permitted entry
Conjuring [sic] Restrictions: There will be no congregating in unapproved areas of the park.
Mayor Sloan J. Griffin III expressed his gratitude for the
quick and professional response by the Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies.
“I want to thank the Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies for their prompt
action in addressing the situation. Their swift response helped to mitigate the
potential danger and ensured the safety of our community.”
These measures are being taken to provide a safer
environment for all attendees and prevent similar incidents in the future. The
Town of Blythewood remains committed to ensuring the safety and confidence of
our community members.
For more information, please contact the Office of the Mayor at (803) 754-0501 or email griffin@townofblythewoodsc.gov.
Kids from the audience joined The Blue Dogs on stage. | Blythewood Town Hall
BLAIR – Investigators with the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office need your help in identifying an attempted armed robbery suspect.
At approximately 9 p.m. on Friday, July 5, 2024, a masked
subject entered the Dollar General Store located on Newberry Road at Salem
Crossroads in the Blair community armed with a handgun demanding money.
During the attempted robbery the suspect struck the cashier
with the handgun and then fled the store.
The incident and images of the subject were captured on
in-store video. Attached is a photograph of the suspect. Anyone with knowledge
or information on the identity or location of the subject is asked to contact
Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office Investigators at (803)635-4141, FCSO Tip Line
(803)815-4191 or fcsotipline@gmail.com. You do not have to reveal your identity
to leave information.
Interim Town Manager Chris Clauson, Town Manager Jason Taylor and Electric Dept. Director William Medlin check out the restoration progress of the Douglas Building that began last week. | Town of Winnsboro
WINNSBORO – With almost $2 million in state earmarks flowing in for the revitalization of downtown Winnsboro over the last two years, the restoration work has begun in earnest.
Last week, Town Manager Jason Taylor and his newly named
Interim successor Chris Clauson were on hand to witness workers on scaffolding
tearing out decayed sections on the façade of the Douglas Building at 126 N.
Congress Street.
“The goal with this building is to totally restore the façade, and then go in and bring the inside up to move-in ready so that we can lease or sell it,” Taylor says. “It’s not going to be quick, but we want to do it right so that it can set the standard for other restorations along the street.”
Taylor, who has taken the job as Town Manager in Newberry effective July 1, estimates it will take two to three months just to restore the front windows and six months to finish the building, inside and out. Even though he is leaving, Taylor says he wants to see the restoration of downtown Winnsboro come to fruition. It’s a project he envisioned when he took over as town manager three years ago.
“That’s specialty work,” Taylor says, referencing the
windowed façade of the 6,654 square foot, two story building. “We have a
contractor out of Raleigh who specializes in restoration of store fronts.”
The Douglas building was part of a five-property, $275,000 real estate package that the Town is purchasing. They closed on the Douglas building two weeks ago, according to Clauson.
Also included in the five-property purchase are the former Chamber of Commerce building at 120 N. Congress Street, the former Gulf service station at 100 E. College Street (across from the post office), and two empty commercial lots – one behind Speedy Wok and one next door to Speedy Wok.
120 N. Congress Street
The Town is also purchasing a building at 201 N. Congress that previously housed a dry cleaning business.
“That property is contaminated, so we’re waiting on DHEC
(the Department of Health and Environmental Control) to approve a Voluntary
Cleanup Agreement,” Clauson says. “It should close soon.”
“It’s coming together as far as the acquisition of
properties,” Taylor says. “While the town has a lot of needs, this $2 million
is earmarked for downtown revitalization and has to be spent on downtown
revitalization, nothing else. We’re very fortunate to have gotten this money.
Many of our downtown buildings are in such bad condition that it would be cost
prohibitive for someone wanting to open a business to come in and restore one
of these buildings.”
Taylor says that’s why the Town is going ahead and
purchasing these buildings and restoring them.
201 N. Congress St.
“We want to restore them appropriately, do the facades as
they should be done and then go in and restore the interiors,” Taylor
says. “Whether the interior needs are
mechanical, heat and air, or electrical, we’re going to make them move-in ready
so we can use these buildings as an incentive to pull in more businesses for
the town.
“If we can demonstrate that we have quality buildings
downtown that make it financially viable for someone to open a business, then I
think that will be a model for more revitalization,” he said.
“This is the same strategy that other towns have employed
after strip malls and such have come in and ruined the character of their
communities. Rock Hill was once in our same situation but worse. The Town
bought all but one of the town’s downtown buildings and restored them,” Taylor
says. “Rock Hill is the poster child of what can be done in this regard.”
Taylor says the Douglas building, with three bays, is in
reasonably good shape other than cosmetically.
126 N. Congress St. | Photos: Barbara Ball
“When it’s finished, it will make an immediate impact on the
appearance of downtown,” Taylor says. “Our willingness to invest in our
downtown gives the private sector investors a certain comfort level. They see
we’re spending $2 million to get rid of the blight in the downtown and they
become interested in the town.”
Clauson, like Taylor, is excited about the outlook for
Winnsboro.
“It’s taken longer than anticipated to get started, but it’s
now moving forward,” Clauson said. “These first projects are publicly
funded, but I expect that we’re going to see more development efforts from
private investors such as what Webb Yongue and Capstone Property Group are
doing with the former Wells Fargo bank building.”
“This is all very exciting for Winnsboro,” Clauson said,
“and I anticipate the town is going to be attracting more investment like this
in the future.”
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County council members vacillated
Monday night when voting on minimum starting pay for Sheriff’s deputies despite
pleas from the public and the sheriff for a starting salary of at least
$50,000.
Additionally, council members failed to increase entry level
pay for detention center workers and 911 dispatchers.
Council members approved the $44.6 million budget by a 6-1
vote, with Councilwoman Peggy Swearingen dissenting.
This year’s budget does not raise taxes, but it required
transferring nearly $2.5 million from the fund balance to keep taxes level,
according to budget documents.
During budget deliberations, council members initially
shelved multiple scenarios that started new deputies at between $46,000 and
$50,000 per year.
In the end, the council settled on $46,000 with a 3% cost of
living adjustment (COLA) and a 4% across-the board raise.
“Everyone tried their best to present a balanced budget to
council that would take care of all the employees,” said council chairman Doug
Pauley. “We had five budget workshops, numerous phone calls and emails, and
getting [the finance department] to run different scenarios to see what we
could afford to do.”
Councilwoman Swearingen was visibly frustrated by the budget
vote, as council members shot down her various motions to set higher starting
pay.
Swearingen first motioned to increase deputy pay to $50,000
without any pay increases, but that motion failed when it wasn’t seconded.
Councilman Dan Ruff countered with $46,000, prompting
Swearingen to object.
“They (deputies) are not going to get the cost of living
increase with that,” she said. “The least you can do is go for $47,500.”
“I’m trying to see if we can come to some kind of
compromise,” Ruff responded. “That’s where I’m headed with this.”
Interim Administrator Clay Killian chimed in to say the
$46,000 figure actually does include a 4% COLA.
Killian said setting starting salaries is difficult because
other jurisdictions are also constantly revising their starting pay.
“We’re going to be in an arms race for EMTs and first
responders with the rest of the state,” Killian said. “Regardless of what you
do, at some point it’s not going to be enough. It’ll change as we fight that
battle.”
Ruff rescinded his motion for $46,000, then motioned for a
similar proposal that also set starting pay at $46,000. That option called for
a 3 % COLA and a 4% raise for all employees.
Swearingen didn’t like that proposal either.
“[The difference] between that and starting at $47,500 is only
$11,000,” she said.
Ruff’s motion failed 4-3, with only council members Clarence
Gilbert, Neil Robinson, and Ruff supporting it.
Swearingen motioned for the $47,500 option which also
included the 3% COLA and 4% raise, but that motion also failed to receive a
second.
Ruff reintroduced his motion for $46,000 with a 3% COLA and
4% raise. This time, the motion passed 6-1 with Councilman Tim Roseborough
opposing.
Later, Swearingen motioned to increase starting pay for
detention center employees to $40,442 and dispatchers to $36,682, but that
motion died when it wasn’t seconded.
The council’s votes came despite pleas from Sheriff Will
Montgomery and members of the public to prioritize deputy pay.
Montgomery requested a 12% across the board raise for
sheriff’s office employees. He said boosting deputy pay is vital in retaining
deputies enticed by better pay in neighboring counties.
The day after the vote, neighboring Chester County announced
that it is raising its starting pay for deputies to $50,600. The Town of
Winnsboro recently raised its starting pay for its officers to $50,000.
Chester’s Detention Center officers will also get an additional $10,000 with
9-1-1 dispatchers getting around a $12,000 salary increase.
“Agencies surrounding us have moved their salaries up. It’s
important that we do the same,” Montgomery said. “That’s the only way we’re
going to be able to keep our deputies and be competitive.”
Lake Wateree resident Don Goldbach echoed Montgomery’s
sentiments, calling on council members to lift deputy starting pay to $50,000.
“It’s vital that we have protection in this county,”
Goldbach said. “It’s very easy for them to go elsewhere and get paid more.”
Councilwoman Shirley Green admonished the Sheriff’s office
to do more to help itself.
“Maybe take a look at trying to make sure that when we
have that starting salary, that we’re trying to get the officers that will be
ready for the force,” Green said.
Ridgeway resident Randy Bright took umbrage with low first
responder pay and thought the budget lacked transparency as well.
“Don’t make the sheriff’s department an afterthought,”
Bright said, referencing council’s tardiness in making priority budget
decisions.
“With one week to go before the deadline, we’re still
debating how much to pay our sheriff’s office employees,” Bright said.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY – Ivan B. White, 47, pled guilty to three charges of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor on Tuesday, June 11, the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office said.
White
According to the release, these offenses, which occurred from 2020 to 2022, involved a child victim who was 14-16 years of age. White was 43-45 years old during the time he committed the offenses.
White was sentenced to 30 years in the South Carolina
Department of Corrections
The Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office investigated these
crimes and the South Carolina Sixth Circuit Solicitor’s Office prosecuted this
case.
