Darlington Councilwoman Criticizes City for Halted Projects; Mayor Refutes Claims
On the frontlines of Darlington, South Carolina’s political landscape, Councilwoman Sheila Baccus is taking to social media to voice her concerns about several issues regarding the mismanagement of city projects and funds. This comes in the wake of a city council meeting that put her at the center of attention, where some accuse her of hateful speech.
During the council meeting, Baccus mentioned the Ku Klux Klan, but stated that the comment was not directed at anyone. It was merely a reference to the treatment that she claimed to have received during the course of the meeting. The situation heated up even further when the reason behind the absence of department heads, who usually answer inquiries, was questioned.
Baccus Questions Delayed Projects in City
Baccus took the opportunity to raise significant questions regarding the city’s planning and execution of projects. She trained the spotlight on the unfinished $400,000 splash pad for kids, and the unproductive use of the $700,000 spent on land along Highway 151 earmarked for a sports complex.
In her words, “Y’all the ones who are trying to attack and do all the dirt behind closed doors. That’s why you threw away $700,000 on 151. Got a splash pad you can’t even open. Because you didn’t follow the law.”
Baccus expanded on her concerns on social media, sparking a conversation about the city’s priorities and handling of resources.
Questioning Fire Hydrants and Lawsuits
Baccus did not hold back on directing attention to further issues plaguing the city. She asked the public to ponder why Darlington had a significant number of lawsuits over the last few years and underlined the city’s inadequate fire hydrant system, especially after a house on Dargan Street was burnt to the ground due to nonfunctional fire hydrants.
Mayor Responds To Allegations
In response to Baccus’s claims, Darlington Mayor Curtis Boyd decided to clear the air. Mayor Boyd stated that the splash pad project was nearing completion and needed a few more contributions. He explained, “When you hire a contractor, sometimes there are additional things from DHEC that when the inspector comes to inspect it, it has to be done so there were some additional things that were not done to DHEC code.”
Addressing the contentious sports complex issue, Mayor Boyd asserted that it was a joint project between the City and the Darlington County School District. He defended the investment of $700,000 and assured citizens that an interested investor was already engaged.
Concerning the issue of fire hydrants, Darlington Fire Chief Patrick Cavanaugh confirmed that the fire hydrant flagged by Baccus had not hampered firefighting operations due to the availability of two other functional hydrants in the area.
Finally, Mayor Boyd acknowledged that the city had one pending lawsuit related to a sewage issue with a homeowner. Despite the controversies and challenges, he emphasized a commitment to continuing the city’s progress.
The debate between Councilwoman Sheila Baccus and Mayor Curtis Boyd has certainly stirred up discussions about the city’s handling of resources and projects among the residents of Darlington who eagerly await the resolution of these issues.
