On March 3, I requested from my school board representative and received a copy of the proposed 2015 -2016 School District budget. In that budget there were two items that immediately raised a continuing question regarding the district’s budgeting and spending. These were the budgeting for legal fees of $282,707 and $25,000 for legal services […]

I must start by thanking The Voice for making us all aware of the recent problematic $35,000 Detention Center roof bid that was not put out as a competitive bid. The purpose for my writing to the editor and citizens of Fairfield County is to highlight the unacceptable actions, spending and manipulation of what is […]

Many citizens were notably encouraged by Fairfield Councilman Walter Larry Stewart’s earnest appeal on Mar. 23 for a more citizen-inclusive Fairfield County government. The Councilman’s invitation to all of Fairfield’s citizens to participate in their government was certainly a refreshing contrast to those on Council who are seeking to further limit citizen participation. Mr. Stewart’s […]

First giving thanks to God for watching over me and allowing me to fulfill my duties and responsibilities as Sheriff of Fairfield County for 22 wonderful years. Words are not sufficient for me to express my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley for bestowing upon me The Order of the Palmetto, the […]

There is an issue which has been submitted to a County Council committee and I am deeply troubled by what is at stake here. The issue to which I am referring is to restrict topics that may be addressed by citizens from the podium at County Council meetings. I’ll start with a simple definition: Freedom of […]

Fairfield County needs an Administrator that works for Fairfield County, not an Interim Administrator that is being paid by a law firm. The county pays this law firm and they in turn pay the Administrator because the Administrator is an employee of their law firm. It is time for the Fairfield County Council to start […]

On March 17, I attended the Fairfield County School Board meeting, arriving prior to 6:30 (the posted start of the public meeting on the District’s Board Calendar – Meeting Schedule). I filled out the Public Participation form as instructed and gave this to the Clerk to the Board before the start of the public meeting. […]

James Denton’s article of March 20, 2015 (“Recreation relocation D.O.A.”) incorrectly says Heath Cookendorfer “flip-flopped” regarding his vote against locating the rec center in the Town of Ridgeway. Councilman Cookendorfer never stated beforehand that he would vote for or against that rec center location. He only said that he “personally” thought it was a good […]

Recent observations of Fairfield County Council meetings point to clear opportunities to improve our quality of life, without spending more money. In other words, an inadequate vetting process for County expenditures only results in a lower quality of life for the citizens because it diverts resources from more worthy projects. We have missed out on […]