COLUMBIA – It was a little after 7 a.m. when 67-year-old Betty Shealy telephoned the home of The Voice’s publisher. “Nobody’s gonna pave my damn road,” she blurted out, not in the tone of a greeting. She had just finished reading a front page story in The Voice about Richland County’s proposal to pave all […]
Fairfield County may nix maintaining private shared driveways
June 29, 2023 By
WINNSBORO – Trying to explain an issue that sparked questions from members of the Fairfield County Council and unhappy comments from citizens at Tuesday’s county council meeting, county leaders say they are working on a solution to a dilemma faced over “common drives,” or driveways that are shared by multiple residences. Traditionally the county has […]
Late Fairfield County audit reveals $95M in adjustments
June 29, 2023 By
WINNSBORO – Incorrectly maintained ledgers requiring nearly $96 million in adjustments more than tripled the amount of time originally projected to complete the county’s annual audit, now six months late. The bulk of that $96 million consisted of Dominion settlement funds, unreconciled transactions, and assorted banking records. For future audits, auditors recommended additional training for […]
Town of Blythewood not transparent with legal fees
June 29, 2023 By
BLYTHEWOOD – Some Blythewood council members and an attorney don’t think town residents should know how much of their money is being spent on costly legal bills. On Monday night, council members voted 4-1 on second reading of the $5.06 million annual budget. Councilman Donald Brock dissented. Brock and Councilman Sloan Griffin voiced concerns about […]
Fairfield WWTP options report sparks call for third party review
June 22, 2023 By
WINNSBORO – The long awaited Technical Analysis of Options report for the Fairfield Joint Water and Sewer System’s (FJWSS) wastewater treatment system was finally presented in public Tuesday evening during a meeting of the FJWSS’s technical committee. The report, compiled by the FJWSS’s contract engineer, Bill Bingham, owner of American Engineering, was intended to provide […]
Blythewood refuses to reveal MPA lawsuit costs
June 15, 2023 By
BLYTHEWOOD – With a growing number of lawsuits flying between the Town of Blythewood, Mayor Bryan Franklin and MPA strategies, the cost for those lawsuits is also most likely growing exponentially, but no one – not even the councilmen, so they say – knows what those costs are, because the Town and Mayor Franklin refuse […]
Budget vote hits snag; 8 mill increase proposed; admin position not posted
June 15, 2023 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County’s budget woes are reaching new heights, with council members failing to adopt a budget on second reading and facing worsening news about the annual audit, now almost seven months overdue. On Monday night, the council voted 3-3 at second reading of the 2023-2024 budget, resulting in its defeat. Annual budgets require […]
Well Done
June 15, 2023 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Council members recognized and congratulated County Auditor Peggy Hensley on her retirement from 41 years of service to the county in various jobs in the auditor’s office. Chairman Douglas Pauley presented a proclamation to Hensley. “Thank you for your years of service to Fairfield County and we pray God’s continued blessings […]
Proposed: Rerouting part of US 21, realignment of Boomer, Farrow Roads
June 8, 2023 By
BLYTHEWOOD – New proposals concerning road widening and new road and rail extensions to the Scout Motors development were shared with the Blythewood Planning Commissioners at their regular monthly meeting on Monday night. One proposal, explained by Brooks Bickley of the S.C. Department of Transportation, is to relocate the Boomer Road entrance to U.S. 21 […]
Winnsboro passes $4.2M budget, no increase in water rates
June 8, 2023 By
WINNSBORO – The Winnsboro town council passed their 2023-2024 budget Monday. At $4,225,392, the new budget is $707, down from last year’s budget which was $4,932,854. Town Manager Jason Taylor announced that there was no increase in water rates this year. Water rates for in-town residents will be $14.86 for the first 2,000 gallons and […]
