WINNSBORO – The name of the county, Fairfield, is believed to have originated with Lord Cornwallis when, during the Revolutionary War, he and his British Troops wintered in Winnsboro. While taking in the view of the surrounding area from his second floor window, Cornwallis is said to have declared, “Oh, what fair fields.”
Next weekend the county will once again be showing off its fair fields and farms during the fifth annual Fairfield County Ag + Art Tour. The farm sites on the tour will feature their home-grown produce as well as local artisans and musicians.
“The tour is an introduction to some of the beautiful farms and products that Fairfield has to offer,” Chamber of Commerce Gene Stephens said.
Farm to Table Dinner
The weekend kicks off with a farm to table dinner on Thursday, June 13, on the promenade behind the town clock on East Washington Street.
The evening begins with a social hour (beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres) at 6:30 and dinner (salad, entree and dessert) starts at 7:30. The dinner will be catered by a local caterer, Exquisite Catering Company, and much of the food will be provided by some of the farms on tour.
Guitarist/singer Luke Moore will entertain.
Tickets are $65/person and $115/couple and can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com. Tickets are limited to 150.
The Tour
Donita Bailey with goats and goatmilk soap.
Then it’s off to the tour. Eleven farms throughout the county will be open for touring on Saturday, June 15, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, June 16, from 1 – 5 p.m. The tours are free.
Visitors can begin their self-guided tour at any of the farms. The day is meant to be leisurely and enjoyable, so It will probably not be possible to see all the farms in one day.
Bring a cooler with an ice pack and pick up some fresh veggies, let the kids enjoy a hay-ride and barnyard animals, watch artists at work, and enjoy a day in the country! Food, drinks and treats will be available for purchase at many of the farms.
At the first site, visitors can register and pick up a tour booklet that will serve as a guide to the various farms and their offerings.
JENKINSVILLE – Jenkinsville Water Company has fixed a water line break, though how long water service remained shut off remains a little murky.
Laura Renwick, spokeswoman for the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), said complaints of low water pressure began late in the day on Thursday, May 27. A break occurred the next day.
“A break in the line was found on May 28, and a boil water advisory was issued by the utility that same day,” Renwick wrote in an email. “Repairs were made to the system also on May 28.”
In a telephone interview, JWC president Greg Ginyard confirmed to The Voice that water line was repaired on Tuesday, May 28.
Renwick with DHEC said that on May 30, the utility followed up by collecting samples, which “came back in the normal range,” and the boil water advisory was lifted.
“No action is being taken by the Department,” Renwick said.
Ginyard said there are no problems with Jenkinsville water. He said whenever there’s a complaint, it’s investigated and typically no problems are found, and if a problem is discovered, it’s promptly fixed.
“There’s nothing wrong with our water,” Ginyard said. “The Jenkinsville Water Company is not giving anybody bad water. All our water is potable. We’re fine, we don’t have any problems.”
In the past, the JWC has faced questions over its water quality.
In March, The Voice and The State newspapers published investigative reports about Jenkinsville water quality.
Public records The Voice obtained from DHEC state the JWC was cited three times in the past five years. The last time was in 2016.
Fairfield County Councilwoman Bertha Goins has also raised water quality issues, specifically relating to Jenkinsville, landing her in hot water with JWC’s legal counsel.
In March, attorneys for the JWC threatened to sue her, issuing a cease and desist order.
“If you continue to make such false and defamatory statements, I have been instructed to take all legal steps to enforce my client’s rights including filing suit against you, for injunctive relief, slander and defamation seeking all damages allowed by law,” JWC lawyers stated in a letter.
Goins has said the JWC is trying to stifle her right to free speech. At the April 8 council meeting, she said in a prepared statement she blamed her husband’s illness in part on Jenkinsville water.
County Attorney Tommy Morgan, acting in a private capacity, authored a response letter to JWC attorneys, saying Goins “categorically denies” making false and defamatory statements, and that she has a right to free speech.
“This threat of legal action is not going to stop Ms. Goins,” Morgan said.
Jenkinsville Water Company has also claimed Fairfield County was trying to coerce the water company into joining the recently created Fairfield County-Town of Winnsboro water authority.
“JWC has no interest in being absorbed by a bigger water system,” the JWC said in a letter to its members. “When smaller water companies are taken over by a larger water system that historically results in rate increases between 100% and 150%. We are committed to not letting this happen to JWC members.”
BLYTHEWOOD – During Council’s final budget workshop on May 23, Town Administrator Brian Cook reviewed the new estimate of the final net profit from the sale of the Doko Depot shell building – $163,874. That’s about $23,723 less than the $187,597 net profit council members anticipated when they initially sold the building in 2017.
Since that time, the sale was held up for myriad reasons including the discovery last year that title restrictions on two slivers of land in the Doko Depot property had not been disclosed to the Town in prior financing efforts with Santee-Cooper.
Financial settlements with the prior land owners along with attorney fees and other expenses added to the cost of the sale. Mayor J. Michael has said, however, that the Town expects to recoup those expenses associated with the deed hitch.
Council built the Depot shell with a $453,881 grant from Fairfield Electric Cooperative.
“It’s still a big pot of money that we can move forward with and use for other projects,” Cook said about the $163,874.
The net profit from the Depot will not be included in the current budget, Ross said, since the sale has not yet closed.
“We don’t know exactly when that will happen,” Ross said. But he said he expects it to close before the end of the summer.
The building is being purchased by Don Russo, who owns Freeway Music. Russo will be sharing the space with an expansion of a Lexington restaurant, the Old Mill Pub, which is owned by John Clinger
WINNSBORO – Two Winnsboro residents were arrested on Friday, May 31 on multiple drug charges after the Fairfield County Sheriff’s office executed a drug search warrant on Holly Street in the Winnsboro area.
Weldon
Timothy D Weldon, 31, who was inside of the residence upon execution of the search warrant, was arrested for trafficking cocaine base (“crack cocaine”), trafficking cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of oxycodone, possession of morphine, possession of methadone, possession of amphetamines, and possession of hydrocodone.
Young
Tawanda M Young, 35, who was also inside of the residence, according to deputies, was arrested for trafficking cocaine base (“crack cocaine”), trafficking cocaine, and possession with Intent to distribute marijuana.
As a result of this search warrant, deputies seized over 100 grams of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”), over 20 grams of cocaine, over 7 ounces of marijuana, and quantities of morphine, amphetamines, hydrocodone, oxycodone and methadone, the report stated.
Additionally, deputies seized over $16,000 in US currency, three handguns and an assault rifle outfitted with a scope, high capacity magazines, and a “bump stock,” similar to that used in the 2017 Las Vegas shooting incident, sheriff’s deputies reported.
Both Weldon and Young were transported to the Fairfield County Detention Center.
BLYTHEWOOD – When council members are seated after the November elections, they will be receiving a pay increase if Mayor J. Michael Ross’ proposed pay increase for council members and mayor is voted into the budget for fiscal year 2019-20.
Ross suggested at the May 23 budget meeting that the mayor’s annual salary be increased from the current $9,000 to $12,000 and council members’ salaries be increased from $6,000 to $9,000.
“I will not get a dime of that money,” Ross joked. The town ordinance limits Blythewood elected officials to two terms, and Ross’ second term will end in November.
“For eight years the salaries of the governing body has been the same,” Ross said. “When I was elected, the mayor’s salary was $18,000 and council’s was $12,000. Our council voted to reduce that by 50 percent,” he said.
“When you think about everyone else making more money, no one does this job for money. I was going to kick around that we are in excellent financial condition and have money to spare,” Ross said.
Former town councilman Tom Utruska reminded Ross from the audience that it is the staff who does most of the work.
“They are the ones who should get the pay increase,” Utroska said, also reminding council of the insurance and retirement perks they also receive.
And Ross conceded that the town does not have fire, water and other departments that council and the mayor have to supervise and maintain like other towns.
When Ross brought the issue up again at the May 28 council meeting, Utroska suggested a 20 percent increase for both the mayor and council, increasing the mayor’s annual salary to $10,800 and council members’ to $7,200.
“I think that’s fair and shows we’re moving forward,” Ross said. Second and final reading of the budget will be held June 24.
BLYTHEWOOD – After it was revealed last week that the Greater Blythewood Chamber of Commerce is $22,000 in the red and is currently operating on a $20,000 line of credit, Interim Chamber Director Phil Frye raised eyebrows on Council when he announced the Chamber would no longer request the $17,500 grant from the Town’s general fund that it has requested and received annually for several years.
“You are down $22,000! How can you not ask [for the grant]?” Mayor J. Michael Ross asked. “You’ve overspent, it looks like, and now you don’t need our money? I guess this is the fiscal responsibility we’ve been talking about over, over and over.”
Town Attorney Jim Meggs made it clear where Council should be standing on the issue of funding for the Chamber.
“You’re not a bank,” Meggs said to Ross. “Anything you do with public money has to go to a lawful public purpose. Being a bailout source is not an appropriate public purpose.”
“But they aren’t asking for the $22,000,” Ross said. “That [grant] is the same thing they’ve been asking for every year.”
Meggs shrugged, standing by his advice.
Ed Parler, Council’s liaison with the chamber board, offered his explanation concerning the Chamber’s numbers.
“The $22,000 is the profit and loss from July 1, 2018 to the projected end of the current fiscal year,” Parler said. “It is not the bank balance. [The Chamber] is anticipating taking a hit of $22,000 from the previous year. We are now operating on a line of credit until the membership dues begin coming in. With sound management, we are working toward a balanced budget.”
“That’s a big hallelujah,” Ross said, drawing laughter from the audience.
“The Chamber board voted unanimously against coming to Council for a bailout,” Parler said.
“My hat’s off to you,” Ross said. “I think you’ll get the confidence of the community back that you have somewhat lost. It’s a great step forward.”
Councilman Eddie Baughman thanked Frye for providing the Town with the financials.
“Mike and I have talked. It is what it is and it showed what it showed,” Baughman said. “I appreciate you tightening the boot straps. It shows a lot of character.”
“The good thing, Phil, is that if we don’t give you any money, you ain’t gotta tell us anything [about your finances],” Ross joked in an apparent reference to the requests The Voice has made for the Chamber’s financials over the past two years.
Frye said the Chamber did, however, want to request that Council continue to purchase a $2,500 premiere membership with the Chamber, an amount that is in the Town’s proposed budget.
Frye also asked for $14,000 for the Chamber for a fall fundraiser event. Frye said the Chamber hopes to net $10,000 from the event.
Frye assured Council that the Chamber would be more transparent with its finances in the future.
While praising the Chamber’s promise to be financial responsible in the future, no one on Council asked questions about the Chamber’s vague financials from this fiscal year or lack of financials from prior years. According to CPA Bob Massa, formerly both a Council member and member of the Chamber board, the financial documents submitted last week and last year by the Chamber are vague and do not show with any clarity as to where some of the money that came into the Chamber ended up.
“Those financial records absolutely can’t be followed with any accuracy,” Massa said. “It’s anybody’s guess what was going on. They apparently kept no books on the chamber until someone started asking for them last year. And Mr. Switzer is apparently no longer available to comment on those financials. It’s hard to follow.”
Negotiations were intense as Councilman Bell sought support from Bertha Goins for the recreation center he wants in Ridgeway. | Photos: Michael Smith
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County doesn’t have a budget.
In a 3-3 vote Tuesday night, the proposed $45.2 million budget failed to garner enough support to pass third reading, with one council member claiming the budget was racially biased against African-Americans.
Council members supporting the budget were Bertha Goins, Clarence Gilbert and Chairman Neil Robinson.
Trapp
Douglas Pauley, Moses Bell and Mikel Trapp opposed. Councilman Jimmy Ray Douglas was absent, setting up the tie vote.
That vote followed a motion to amend the budget to include $900,000 in additional recreation spending – $800,000 for a recreation center in Bell’s district and $100,000 for two mini-parks in Trapp’s district.
That motion failed 4-2, with Bell and Trapp the only council members supporting it.
Moments later, Trapp walked out while the meeting was still in progress. He didn’t return.
Council members took a 15-minute recess before voting, but ultimately weren’t able to muster enough votes to pass the budget.
County Administrator Jason Taylor said another budget workshop would be scheduled to hash out differences before a re-vote is taken. The county has until June 30 to adopt the budget.
Judging by comments from council members, reaching a consensus won’t be easy.
Pauley opposed the budget over concerns about ballooning budget costs.
“I cannot vote for this budget because it’s up 12 percent,” Pauley said. “There has been an average of 5.5 percent in annual increases for the past four years.
Councilman Pauley voted against the budget, saying it was too expensive.
“Another reason I oppose the budget is because it brings us back to across the board salary increases as opposed to the merit-based system that the last council worked for three years to have put in place,” Pauley continued.
Bell and Trapp opposed the budget because they wanted to spend more.
Bell offered to drop his request to $400,000, but the idea never gained traction.
“I support recreation in local communities,” he said. “Those who write and want to make me a villain, I will proudly wear that as a badge of honor.”
Trapp claimed the county budget was racially driven. He said it excludes African-Americans while subsidizing a fire station and farmer’s market that he claimed benefit white people primarily.
“In this budget we don’t have anything for the black community in the county,” Trapp said. “Every time someone asks for something for the black community, it’s always said that taxes are going up.”
Goins pushed back on claims of racism.
She said she plans to return a recent award because it recognizes her for being the first African-American elected to Fairfield County Council. She’s returning it because she said she doesn’t believe in labels.
“When I hear the comments that are made and all the negativity, I have to do what my heart says and what my spirit says, and what I know is true,” Goins said.
“We all came into this world with our breath, we all will leave this world with our breath,” Goins continued. “We talk about racism all the time, but many times those who talk about it are the racists. Those who talk about it are the dividers.”
In trying to fund recreation centers, Bell suggested dipping into the fund balance. Although there’s technically about $24 million in reserve, roughly half is already dedicated to the old hospital, the airport and other projects, leaving about $12.7 million in unencumbered funds.
The county also plans to spend about $8 million over the next several years repurposing the old Mt. Zion building into a new county administration building.
Bell also proposed spending money left over from the 2013 $24M bond, which he said could help subsidze Ridgeway recreation. Of the $4M left from the bond, about $400,000 to $450,000 in funds are not encumbered, Taylor said.
Pauley noted that the county budget has benefited Bell’s district greatly. In recent years, Ridgeway has received $150,000 for a park, $100,000 for an EMS station and a $1 million fire station, he said. He said the county has also helped with the water tower and sidewalks.
“For it to be said that nothing was spent in Ridgeway is absolutely not true,” Pauley said. “A lot of things in Ridgeway might not have been done when Councilman Bell was on council, but a previous councilman got things done in his area.”
Some Committee Members Closely Connected to Fairfield
WINNSBORO – S.C. Senator Mike Fanning advertised last February for applicants to fill positions for four part-time Fairfield County magistrates and one full-time chief magistrate, all of whom would be up for reappointment in May. At the same time he advertised for applicants to fill positions for four part-time Chester County magistrates.
To emphasize the fairness of his application process, Fanning posted the following on his Facebook page.
“’The Good ‘Ole Boy System is Over!’ Now, an unbiased committee of out-of-county experts (who do not have established ‘connections’ to folks in our community) will review applications & interview finalists…making recommendations for appointment to this critically important judicial position(s).”
In another notice, Fanning said the selection committee would be comprised of current and former magistrates from outside the county.
Contrary to Fanning’s post, some of those committee members appear to have decidedly ‘established connections’ to Fairfield County and to Fanning, and not all of them were current or former magistrates, according to applicants interviewed by The Voice.
Two applicants for the Fairfield positions said they met with different selection committees and that each committee consisted of three to four members.
Applicant Mattie Stewart Smith, a retired attorney with 36 years of experience, told The Voice that she and at least two other applicants were interviewed on April 5 by four committee members: Chester County Chief Magistrate Angel Underwood, Underwood’s husband (then-Chester County Sheriff) Alex Underwood, a man with the last name of Gore and Fanning.
Other members on selection committees were reported to include employees of the Chester County Sheriff’s office.
Angel Underwood grew up in Fairfield County and graduated from Fairfield Central High School, records show.
Underwood, who was suspended from her duties as Chief Magistrate in May 2015, handled more than 100 cases in which she should have told parties involved that she was married to the county’s sheriff, according to court records. After serving a year’s suspension, Underwood was issued a public reprimand by the S.C. Supreme Court but allowed to return to the bench.
Underwood’s husband, Alex Underwood, another member of a selection committee for Fairfield magistrate applicants, served as Sheriff in Chester County from 2011 until he and two of his deputies were indicted in early May on charges ranging from conspiracy to falsifying evidence, records state.
WBTV in Charlotte reported on Fanning’s appointment of the four new magistrates in Chester County after several viewers had brought up the issue of Fanning’s close ties to the Underwoods. Angel Underwood was the only Chester magistrate reappointed.
On the day the FBI raided the Sheriff’s office in April, Fanning posted on Facebook, urging the community to stand by Alex Underwood. The station pointed out that Fanning posts photos of him and the Underwoods together socially, including at a dinner the weekend before the new magistrates in both Fairfield and Chester were named.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY – Two Fairfield County students have died from injuries suffered in an ATV accident on Monday, May 27.
Christopher (CJ) Simmons, 17, a junior at Fairfield Central High School was driving a Honda four-wheeler when it hit the right side of a 2014 Hyundai that was turning left from West Peach Road onto Orchard Drive, according to Trooper Joe Hovis with the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Simmons was transported by EMS to Prisma Health Richland Hospital where he was pronounced dead due to injuries sustained in the collision, according to Fairfield County Coroner Chris Hill.
Scarborough
A passenger, 10-year-old Jermiia Scarborough – a fourth grader at Fairfield Elementary School – was also ejected from the ATV and taken to Prisma Health Richland Hospital where she died this morning (Tuesday) due to injuries sustained in the collision.
The crash happened at 5:55 p.m., about four miles south of Winnsboro according to the report.
Neither Simmons nor Scarborough were wearing helmets, Hovis said.
The driver of the Hyundai, a 22-year-old woman, was not injured, Hovis said.
The accident is being investigated by the S.C Highway Patrol. The Voice will post more information as it becomes available.
BLYTHEWOOD – The Blythewood Historical Society (BHS) and Museum will place a historical marker on the site of the original Blythewood School at 501 Main Street. The placement is set for Friday, May 24. The building now houses Blythewood Academy.
“We are inviting the community to join us for the placing of the marker,” BHS member Jim McLean said. Others who will participate in the marker placement include Nancy Stone-Collum from the Richland County Conservation Commission, Blythewood Mayor J. Michael Ross, Richland County Councilwoman Joyce Dickerson and graduates of the original school.
