BLYTHEWOOD – Town Council’s Monday night agenda was light, but, right off, there were fireworks. It was only minutes into the meeting when Councilman Rich McKenrick called for the addition of an agenda item to allow open discussion by council members concerning the disruptions that occurred during and after the July 3 Rockin’ Red, White, […]
Fairfield County Council hires audit firm to negotiate lions share of $1.4M fines, fees
July 25, 2024 By
Speakers Call for Reinstatement of Second Public Comment Session WINNSBORO – Fairfield County is expanding its effort to combat its seven-figure IRS bill. On Monday night, council members voted 5-0 to authorize interim administrator Clay Killian to negotiate an amended contract with Mauldin & Jenkins “due to the expanding scope of work regarding the county’s […]
Fripp makes her case against releasing MPA files
July 25, 2024 By
Cost of Two Lawsuits Estimated at $800K & rising BLYTHEWOOD – Last month, council voted 4-1 against releasing the MPA files that have been turned over to the town government after the lawsuit was settled. Monday night, during public comment time, resident Bobbie Young asked council members, “Why are you still covering up the $700,000 […]
The Magnolia
July 25, 2024 By
WINNSBORO – The Magnolia Tree on the North side of the Fairfield County Courthouse was removed on Wednesday, July 17. The tree’s root system did not have the room it needed to expand and was causing structural issues to surrounding concrete and the retaining wall. County and Town officials agreed the tree must be removed […]
R2 Board pay increases with more meetings
July 18, 2024 By
Bender: Invoking FOIA to Increase Pay is Creative Interpretation COLUMBIA – Richland Two school board members say they aren’t enriching themselves at taxapayer expense by meeting more often. Until recently, district policy set trustee pay at $395 per person, per meeting, according to Chair Joe Trapp. The policy also caps the total number of meetings […]
Seven file for three seats on Fairfield County Council
July 18, 2024 By
WINNSBORO – Multiple candidates have filed to run for each of three seats on Fairfield County Council. 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. District 4 […]
Blythewood’s three county reps unopposed in Nov. election
July 18, 2024 By
Sheriff, Senate Dist. 22 Candidates Face Opposition BLYTHEWOOD – All three of Blythewood’s county council representatives will be on the ballot in November, and all three are unopposed. Derrek Pugh, District 2; Gretchen Barron, District 7; and Jesica Mackey, District 9, were all elected the same year and are all seeking second terms. Pugh, a […]
‘Unprecedented’ Political Landscape in 2024
July 11, 2024 By
ATLANTA – This Presidential election year is “unprecedented” in a lot of ways, says Meg Kinnard, national politics reporter for the Associated Press, who lives in Blythewood and is currently traversing the country to report on the national political process. She covered this year’s first Presidential debate in Atlanta, and will be attending the Republican […]
Clauson named Winnsboro Town Manager
July 11, 2024 By
WINNSBORO – Winnsboro’s town council voted unanimously on July 2, to offer a two-year contract to Interim Town Manager Chris Clauson to serve as the town manager. Clauson succeeds Jason Taylor who became Newberry’s Town Manager on July 1. With 10 years of experience in local government administration, Clauson has served as the assistant town […]
No tax raise proposed as Fairfield County Council passes first reading on millage
July 11, 2024 By
WINNSBORO – Fairfield County Council’s recent discussion of employee salaries behind closed doors likely violated state open meeting laws. On Monday night, council members convened in executive session for the “receipt of legal advice and discussion of employment and compensation issues involving County employees.” No action was taken after the secret meeting. The S.C. Freedom […]
