The Downs Gazette

The Downs Gazette

Volume I, Edition 4 July 10, 2016

Today's Guest Editor Silas Dogood:

Greenwood County Capital Sales Tax Questions

Recently the local news published articles about the Greenwood County Capital Sales Tax final approved list and the question to be asked on the November General Election Ballot for us as citizens to vote for or against. This is a very important question, because it will provide more tax dollars for our elected officials to disburse. While they are somewhat limited on what they can use the funds for, let us not forget this was done once before in the early 2000 time period. How was that money spent?

The commission forwarded the list and question to the Greenwood County Council and they now have it in their approval process. The first reading occurred on 5 July and passed. The second reading will occur on 19 July and will offer time for public comment. During this reading the county council and finally the public will be made aware of more specifics other than just a brief description of the projects. The purposes behind the projects have not been made public. An individual may assume the purposes, but do we really know why these projects were selected. This is not to say the projects are not worthy, just it would be good to know what the specific purpose of the projects are as well as more detail about them.

Below is a list of questions, I hope the County Council members will ask about each one of these projects as well as the process for selection.

Is this project a government requirement by law?
Is this project a local government requirement by law?
What is the anticipated longevity of the end product from the project?
What are the cost benefits for the county and the public for the project?
What are the long term sustainment and maintenance costs for this project?
Will this project require an increase in taxes within the county to sustain or maintain it for the long term?
If it will require an increase, how much and when will this increase be needed?
Does the county have an agreement with the non-government organizations to maintain the project for 10 years?
Does this agreement include a clause for repayment if the non-government organization does not fulfill the agreement?
Who will monitor the projects and will this cause an increase in taxes?
What criteria were used to choose this project?
Were the same selection criteria applied to all projects throughout the process?

While I know none of our county council members will ask the following question, we as citizens need to ask it either in the meeting or to those who are in charge. Was this project selected to garner votes for the question? In other words, does this project truly need to be done or was this payment for votes from certain sections of the community?

I have been to the county website and looked at the information provided, but once again it is very lacking. The main committee either did not keep minutes of their meetings or have chosen not to publish them. This strikes me as very peculiar. Additionally, some minutes are complete for committees and other are not. Just their lack of providing information is concerning.

Based on the information available, if the election were held today, I currently would not vote it. This is not to say my vote cannot be swayed, but numerous unanswered questions will need to be answered.

Questioning,

Silence Dogood 2016

The Downs Gazette

Volume I, Edition 3 July 8, 2016

Please forgive me! I'm a little dyspeptic today. I awoke to the video releases of the FBI Chief whitewashing the felonies of a presidential candidate. But that isn't what this paper is about. We are about Greenwood County.

So, let's talk about what I see going on. On the front page of the only printed news that we have is a headline that says "Kittles Endorses Fisher, Pans Kelly." I guess this is just another attempt at being "king makers" by the Index-Journal. Didn't see too much "panning" going on in the article. From school, I remember that to pan someone is to severely criticize them. That's kind of standard for that "newspaper." They don't know a great deal about the English language. I figure Mr. Kittles probably does have some negative things to say about Mr. Kelly, but he didn't say them in the article. Come on IJ - do the news - present the facts - and let the readers draw the conclusions!! Seems like that should be a goal of all those who do the news.

And I guess nobody needs to be told not to try to get to town today or tomorrow! There's going to be a lot of smoke being generated and a huge amount of wine and beer being consumed on the city square. Add 90 degree heat to that and there's no way to get from point A to point B in Greenwood!

Joseph Cotton Smith

Editor and Owner

The Downs Gazette

Volume I, Edition 2 July 6, 2016

Well, no news in the local "papers" this morning - what a surprise!! All we in Greenwood county have hanging is the case against Sandi McAllister Owens. Ms. Owens, it seems is not talking about writing checks amounting to $347,000 of our money to such entities as Victoria's Secret, The Miss South Carolina Pageant, ultra expensive resort hotels, dressmakers and others.

And you know what? Nobody can tell me how an "administrative assistant to the Sheriff of Greenwood County" could have written checks like this for at least 3 years without anyone noticing?? But... someone did! The county treasurer noticed the problem in 2010, reported it and was told by the county's auditors that she shouldn't worry - "everything is OK".

Well, I'm personally happy that someone didn't steal my breathing air about that time six years ago!! Under our court system, I'd have died of asphyxiation well before now!!

Joseph Cotton Smith

Editor and Owner

The Downs Gazette

Volume I, Edition I July 4, 2016

The Downs Gazette is dedicated to the founding fathers of Greenwood County in the state of South Carolina. William Downs Calhoun, who lived near Coronaca SC, was a successful farmer and a man of means who invested in the infrastructure of our county in the form of railroads and cotton. Railways and cotton mills were the means by which Greenwood as a county was successfully carved out of the larger county of Abbeville. Mr. Calhoun has been selected as one who inspired the citizens of Greenwood County to think for themselves and to act in the face of tyranny.

Our existence as a “paper” is based on the same principles. We wish to act as a medium for the citizens of Greenwood to communicate their views and beliefs about the politics and leadership in our county. As such, the articles and views of those who wish to be heard will be reprinted here at the discretion of the Editor. We will not tolerate – nor print – any articles deemed to be based on hate, race or specific form of religion. Otherwise, we will print those articles supporting freedom of speech, the right to bear arms and the pursuit of happiness. Please submit your letters, articles, “op-ed's” and etc, etc with the name you wish to use and with pictures where possible. If you wish to discuss anything about the Gazette, you will find me about the county sitting beneath a tree with a history book in my hands. If my eyes are closed and I appear to be breathing easily you may feel free to sit and wait until my eyes open, signaling that my meditation is complete. ;-)

Joseph Cotton Smith

Editor and Owner

The Downs Gazette