Public scrutiny results in postponed county project
Channel: Andrew Fancher
Date: 2023-01-22

CASSATT, S.C. (WIS) — A government project in the unincorporated town of Cassatt is under scrutiny by neighboring residents and elected officials.

Within a 12-acre stretch of Kershaw County Property on highway SC-1 N., four acres of vegetation has been removed to accommodate an incoming fire station.

The commercial building is being installed next to the only house within a half-mile radius. 

“My wife and I are not opposed to having a firehouse on the property, we’re just opposed to having it right in our backyard,” said Jim Gadsby, the homeowner. 

Gadsby and his wife are in the process of renovating a property they purchased in 2021. 

The Pennsylvania natives chose to live Kershaw County for its solitude and privacy. This, a luxury now replaced with construction and uncertainty. 

“No one here working on the property, none of the council people, none of the people in charge—they’re not going to be here. We have to live with this for the rest of our lives,” continued Gadsby. 

I reached out to the district’s councilman, Danny Catoe, who deferred all questions to Kershaw County Administrator, Danny Templar.

Templar postponed construction of the fire station on Thursday. He never responded to our phone calls or emails. 

“I’m just going to tell you straight, no one is seeming to want to accept responsibility, so I will,” said Kershaw County Councilman Jimmy Jones on Saturday.

Jones told WIS the incoming firehouse has prompted more questions than answers between County Chairwoman Katie Guinn and him. 

Both officials cite tremendous confusion on the capital projects' description and price. Jones confirmed with WIS that the construction project is already costing local taxpayers.

“That’s exactly why I’m taking it to County Council. I’m the one who put it on the agenda. I’m the one who have asked for a public presentation. And, if things weren’t done correctly, I’m going to hold someone accountable. As simple as that,” concluded Jones.

The future of this project rests in a Kershaw County Council meeting set for Tue., Jan. 24 at 6:00 p.m.

Jones hopes the county will relocate fire station further away from Gadsby’s home.

The Gadsby’s have launched an online petition to move the firehouse within a separate corner of the 12-acre property. 

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Filmed, written and edited by Andrew Fancher for WIS News 10. 
Airtime: Saturday, 10 p.m., 01/21/2022.

Web article: TBA
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