Next month, when the 12 delegates from Fairfield County attend the state’s Democratic Convention in Columbia, they will take with them a resolution opposing the two bills designed to change the way the Fairfield County school board functions.

The resolution, submitted by Fairfield County council member Kamau Marcharia, received 42 votes in favor of having it read at the convention. Rep. Boyd Brown recommended tabling the resolution, but his motion failed, 42-21.

Marcharia said he did not draft the resolution out of support for the school board, but because the two House Bills violate the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

“It’s a blatant denial of the 1965 Voting Rights Act,” said Marcharia. The county council member just announced this week his intentions to run for the District 41 House of Representative seat currently held by Brown.

The resolution states, “be it resolved that the South Carolina Democratic Party opposes the takeover of the Fairfield County school board and its finances by un-elected appointees of the Fairfield County legislative delegation.”

Marcharia, along with five other individuals, have also filled an injunction through the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to stop the bills.

But not all those attending the convention agreed with Marcharia.

Fairfield County Democratic Party first vice-chairman Bill Scott said he did not support the resolution because H.4431 and H.4432 were created “for the children.”

Eugene Sutton, who was elected convention chairman at the start of the meeting, and then was later selected to serve as the Executive Committee Man, said the resolution is just another example of the need of communication and unity at all levels.

“It sends another message that this county needs to sit down and talk,” he said.

Others elected Thursday evening were Tony Armstrong, chairman; Jessica Giles, second vice-chairwoman; LaSheila Boyd, third vice-chairwoman; Tangee Jacobs, secretary and Norma Branham, treasurer.

“I believe the Democratic party saw an ushering in of new leadership, and a more open determination to build a Democratic party in Fairfield County,” Sutton said the day after the convention.

Approximately 100 people attended the local convention, including Jim Rex, candidate for governor, Solicitor Doug Barfield, Fairfield County school board member Rickey Johnson, Fairfield County auditor Peggy Hensley, Fairfield County probate judge Pam Renwick, Fairfield County treasurer Norma Branham and Fairfield County Council chairman David Brown and county council member David Ferguson.

“This was one of the best conventions we’ve ever had,” Branham said.

Now with new officers in place, Sutton said he would like to see the party grow across the county.

The state convention will be held April 24 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia.