Michel, an attorney with Kyle Michel Law Firm in Columbia, was hired last February by the town and Fairfield County to lobby for congressional appropriations funding for the county. Michel received $50,000 from each entity, making his total annual salary under the previous contract $100,000.
Michel’s fee under the new contract is still being discussed, and no dollar amount has been released by the town.
Last month the council discussed its contractual agreement with Michel during executive session, but did not make a motion at that time.
Fairfield County council has yet to discuss extending Michel’s contract, which ended in February.
One of Michel’s suggestions to both the town and county last month was for the two councils to travel to Washington, D.C., to meet with legislatures concerning their congressional appropriations funding for fiscal year 2011.
Mayor Roger Gaddy said he and Michel met with representatives from Sen. Jim DeMint, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Rep. John Spratt and Rep. Joe Wilson offices.
Gaddy said each meeting went well, and that he received a warm welcome from all four offices.
“It was a good day, good meetings with everybody,” Gaddy said.
Also during the meeting, the council heard the first reading of an ordinance to amend two sections of the existing tree ordinance.
If adopted, section 3-1053: terms of office, will stagger the terms of appointed tree board members. Two members will serve for two years, while two other members will have a one-year term. The board’s remaining three members will serve a three-year term.
The second part of the ordinance being revised is section 3-1068: arborists’ license and bond.
According to the amendment, it will be unlawful for a business to prune, treat or remove street or park trees within the town without first applying for and obtaining a business license.
Before the license is issued, the applicant must show proof of liability and property damage insurance. They must also provide proof of Worker’s Compensation Insurance.
The council will hold the second reading of the ordinance on March 16 at 6:15 at Winnsboro Town Hall.
You seem to be quite an investigator. I say you follow the Lobbyist, the Town Council, and the County Council to Washington, D.C. We wouldn't want them to drink and drive and waste our money, now would we? You do it, and if its good, and if people will chip in to pay, you might just get paid. At least it won't be our tax monies. It would be for "services rendered."
The people in Fairfield County that I have made a big effort to talk AND LISTEN with are sick and tired of all the negativism in this County. Denton does his best to fuel the flames. What a joke.
From what I have heard, there will be a new Town
Council, County Council, and legislative delegation at each upcoming election. That is if they are not impeached or resign beforehand.
The citizens of Fairfield have been used and abused for too long. They will not stand for it any more.
Let me go now. I have to play the little letters game with Denton. OMG. We are amongst people who are ..."the re....GF..word."
I see Mayor Gaddy didn't make it Sen. Coleman's office around the corner from the mayor's office.
Guess Mr. Michel is a bit "cartographically challenged" and couldn't find the office closest to the mayor's.
But hey, it's only a hundred-thousand dollars. I mean, what did I expect? You know a $100K don't buy what it used to, and good help's always been hard to find.
Let me get this straight... The town and county are thinking about paying Mr. Michel a combined $100K to "lobby" for us.
So, for this money, Mr. Michel's done what?
He went with the mayor to meet "representatives" who work for our representatives. Whoa... He went with the mayor to a couple of meetings with staffers. Guess that was a pretty long drive to get around the corner to Sen. Coleman's office. Did the mayor not know the way?
Is the mayor not capable of meeting these people all by his lonesome self? What did Mr. Michel do? Hold the mayor's hand so he wouldn't be scared?
And then, Mr. Michel made a suggestion. And his suggestion was what?
"Hey, Town and County Council, here's an idea! You need to take a boondoggle trip on the tax-payer's dime to DC. Maybe you can tell somebody up there what Fairfield County, SC wants from the federal government. (And while you’re at it, maybe get in a little sight seeing!)"
Washington, DC, huh? So who're the town and county council gonna meet there? More staffers who work for who? You don't think that that maybe our elected representatives could be found a little closer to home? Is Mr. Michel gonna go with them to Washington, DC, too, to hold their hands like he did with the mayor?
Here's a suggestion: How about the mayor and town and county councils do their job without the hand holding? Then maybe we can save $100K. If you don't know how to contact our elected state and federal representatives, I'll tell you for free. They have real addresses and phone numbers and everything! I'll bet if you called them or wrote them a letter they'd listen to you just as hard as if you were there in their offices talking to their staffers with Mr. Michel.
All this for a $100K, huh? Taxpayer money paid by elected representatives to lobby other representatives elected by the same constituents. Whata scam!
Dang, Mr. Michel, that's good work if you can get it. Hey, buddy, if you ever decide it's all too hard for you, let me know. I'd like to get a piece of that action!