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07/02/2025
Today's front page.
07/02/2025

Today's front page.

07/01/2025
06/30/2025

Special Called Council Meeting. July 1st 2025 at Great Falls Town Hall 6:00pm
Chester News & Reporter

06/28/2025

City of Chester Mayor Carlos Williams has responded to the letter (which we posted earlier) from the Chester Fire Board regarding negotiations of the fire contract…
To the citizens of Chester,
Let me begin with a simple truth: the City of Chester operates an excellent, professional, and award-winning fire department. Our department is led by a capable, decorated chief and staffed by individuals dedicated to protecting life and property. That excellence, however, has made our department a target—not because of poor performance, but because of a power struggle.
Let’s call this what it is: an attempt to seize operational control of the Chester Fire Department by members of the Chester Fire Control Commission. And as this campaign of interference, misinformation, and intimidation has unfolded over the past several months, the City of Chester has consistently chosen the high road.
We have chosen restraint.
We have chosen transparency.
And above all, we have chosen to remain focused on our mission: serving the people of Chester with integrity, accountability, and respect.
We have been counseled—by our City Attorney, by state officials, and by our own conscience—not to respond to every public provocation. We were told not to engage in tit-for-tat disputes, even as we faced bullying tactics, unlawful meetings, and repeated abuse of power.
But I will say this clearly:
Silence must never be mistaken for guilt, and professionalism should never be confused with passivity.
The citizens of Chester deserve the truth. And today, I intend to provide it.
Before I address the recent false allegation, let me clarify an important point about process and authority. The negotiated fire service contract is—by law and by practice—a matter decided by Chester City Council. It forms a part of our City’s overall budget, which must be publicly debated, approved, and adopted through formal readings. While the Fire Chief, City Administrator, and I regularly engage with Commission members to assess needs, build relationships, and foster collaboration, those conversations are not contract negotiations. They are about trust and coordination—not formal decision-making. Only the City Council can approve the contract, and that approval must occur transparently, in the public’s view.
The False Accusation
On June 25, the Chester Fire Control Commission publicly accused the City of Chester of refusing to attend a scheduled negotiation meeting.
That accusation is not just misleading—it is demonstrably false.
At no point did the Commission reach out to ask for our availability. The City was not consulted. We were not involved in scheduling. There was no collaboration, a unilateral decision by the Commission to set a date, time, and location, and then mischaracterize our inability to attend as a refusal to negotiate.
That’s not negotiation. That’s manipulation.
Even with only seven days’ notice, the City acknowledged the invitation, explained our scheduling conflict, and proposed three good-faith alternatives: July 8, 9, or 10. As of today, we have received no response from the Commission.
This is not an isolated misunderstanding. It is part of a much broader—and deeply troubling—pattern of behavior.
Retaliation, Not Policy
This dysfunction did not begin with a budget disagreement or a contract negotiation. It began on February 3, 2025, when the City of Chester took a lawful and appropriate action regarding a personnel matter involving a deputy fire chief.
What should have remained a private and routine HR matter instead triggered an unprecedented campaign of retaliation.
That same day, Fire Commission members Hazel Alexander and Ben Bell unlawfully entered a City facility during the employee’s exit interview. Ms. Alexander approached Administrative Services Manager Marquita Fair in an aggressive and confrontational manner, pressuring her to arrange an unauthorized meeting to contest the termination in violation of HR policy.
Let me be clear: Ms. Fair acted professionally and ethically. She upheld City policy and refused to compromise the integrity of our personnel process.
Meanwhile, Fire Chief James Jackson—a decorated public servant and the first Black Fire Chief in Chester’s history—was subjected to verbal attacks, disrespect, and an active campaign to undermine his authority. Under Chief Jackson’s leadership, the Chester Fire Department has earned awards, passed audits, and provided exemplary service to our residents.
And yet, he has endured not only personal attacks but the trauma of watching a public body operate as if his authority—and the authority of the City Administrator and Mayor—simply did not matter.
Let the record show:
The City stood its ground. And we continue to do so.
The actions taken by Commission members, per legal counsel and law enforcement, including unlawful entry, employee intimidation, and interference in internal personnel affairs—could have warranted criminal charges. But in the interest of de-escalation and maintaining a working relationship, I instructed staff to stand down.
That goodwill has not been returned.
When Oversight Breaks Down
On February 5, the Fire Commission held what was intended to be a routine public meeting. Instead, it became a spectacle.
The Commission invited the recently terminated employee, his spouse, and several personal supporters to publicly air grievances and attack City leadership. What unfolded can only be described as a mob-like scene of shouting, threats, and complete disorder.
I was present, along with local journalist Travis Jenkins, who—like myself—had never before attended a Commission meeting because they had always been quiet, civil, and uneventful. But this meeting was anything but.
At one point, individuals gathered outside City-owned fire vehicles, made threatening gestures toward City officials, and shouted down our Fire Chief. The atmosphere became so hostile that Councilman Terry Foster, a former firefighter, had to step in publicly to defend Chief Jackson and the department.
The situation became so unsafe that our City Administrator called law enforcement to disperse the crowd.
Several staff members later reported that they feared for their personal safety.
This is not what government is supposed to look like.
This is not civic oversight.
This is intimidation. This is dysfunction.
Chronic Violations of Law and Trust
Since that February meeting, the Commission’s behavior has only worsened.
They have:
Held illegal meetings at private locations—including Cyclone Restaurant—without proper public notice, in clear violation of South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Secretly appointed a new board member without issuing any public announcement or notice to the press.
Diverted public funds by opening a separate account for Commission finances without informing the City and instructed the Chester County Treasurer to stop depositing funds into the City-managed account.
Circulated false allegations against City officials, employees, and leadership in an effort to discredit the City and sow distrust in the community.
Sent threatening communications, including a letter from Commissioner Ben Bell accusing the City Administrator of illegally opening Commission mail—mail that was addressed to the City and opened through standard administrative procedures.
These are not isolated incidents. They are not misunderstandings. They are part of a sustained effort to undermine the authority of the City of Chester, bypass governance, and destabilize public trust.
A History of Cooperation, Broken by Retaliation
What makes this all the more tragic is that for years, the City of Chester and the Chester Fire Control Commission worked together in good faith. There was mutual respect. There was professionalism. There was cooperation.
That all changed—not because of policy differences, but because of personal retaliation tied to one lawful employment decision.
And yet, through all of it, we have continued to do the work.
On May 15, the City presented its proposed FY 2025–2026 Operating Budget to City Council. We held two open work sessions, passed the first reading, and have scheduled the second reading and public hearing for July 8.
Meanwhile, the proposed fire department budget—based directly on the Fire Chief’s recommendations—passed through two public readings unaltered as part of the City’s formal budget process. At no point was there any indication that changes were forthcoming. And yet, without notice, consultation, or discussion, the Fire Commission’s Treasurer secretly submitted a radically altered version of that same budget to the Chester County Treasurer on June 4, falsely labeling it as an “approved and adopted budget.” This altered submission included over $100,000 in cuts to the City’s fire contract. The City of Chester was completely unaware of this change until six days later, when the County Treasurer forwarded us a copy. We had no voice in that decision and no opportunity to respond.

Let me be very clear: The City of Chester had no seat at that table. We had no voice in that decision.
We are now preparing a revised budget proposal that includes updated figures—particularly related to employee insurance and compensation—to ensure the continued strength of our fire services.
Until a new agreement is reached, we will continue to operate under the FY 2024–2025 baseline to maintain stability and protect the services our residents rely on.
Stand With Truth—Not Theater
We understand the frustration and confusion this situation has caused. And we understand how misinformation, loud voices, and political theater can cloud the truth.
But this is what remains clear:
The City of Chester has acted in good faith.
We have responded to every inquiry.
We have protected our employees.
We have honored the process.
And we have remained committed to serving the people—not engaging in chaos.
We are not perfect. No government is.
But we are transparent. We are accountable. We are committed.
And today, I am calling on the Chester Fire Control Commission—and all those who support or enable these tactics—to return to the standards the public expects and deserves:
Professionalism. Respect. Accountability. Service.
We are ready to meet.
We are ready to finalize a fair, responsible contract.
We are ready to protect this city—together.
All we ask is that those entrusted with power do the same.
With resolve and service,
Mayor Carlos Williams
City of Chester, South Carolina

06/27/2025

This letter from the Chester Fire Board, in which it is indicated the board will not negotiate a new fire contract with Chester Mayor Carlos Williams, Administrator Malik Whitaker or Fire Chief James Jackson, was just shared with the News & Reporter. Board members claim the three have accused them of not being willing to negotiate, but that the three also skipped on a planned negotiation session...

“Dear Mayor Williams, Administrator Whitaker, and City Leadership,

The Chester Fire District Board writes
to express its profound disappointment in the City's failure to attend the scheduled negotiation meeting yesterday, June 25, 2025. This meeting
was arranged several weeks in advance at a time specifically selected to accommodate City leadership during working hours.
It was, in fact, the Board members who made
accommodation in their own professional schedules (arranging time off from their own
jobs) to attend during the day, in good faith, with the goal of progressing discussions regarding the fire services contract.
Despite multiple invitations and RSVP requests, there was no formal acknowledgment or
response from the City prior to the meeting. Ultimately, neither the Mayor, City Administrator, Finance Director, nor Fire Chief attended the meeting. Their absence made it impossible to hold any substantive negotiations. We do, however, acknowledge and appreciate the attendance of
several Chester City Council members and a representative from the County Council, whose presence underscored the importance of the matter at hand.
Given the City's prior public allegations that the Chester Fire District Board has been unwilling to negotiate, we find the City's nonresponse and absence particularly troubling.
The record clearly demonstrates that the Board has made every reasonable effort to engage constructively and transparently.
Due to this lack of engagement by City Leadership, and following deliberation at the meeting, the Chester Fire District Board has voted to cease all
further negotiation efforts with the Mayor, City Administrator, and Fire Chief. Going forward, the Board will direct all contract negotiation efforts
to the City Council, which the Board recognizes as the City's governing authority.
Additionally, the Board has voted to release all records and documentation of prior communications and negotiation attempts with the Mayor, City Administrator, and Fire Chief to the full City Council to ensure transparency and shared understanding moving forward.
We hope the City Council will be responsive to
this effort and engage in meaningful dialogue as the district works to ensure stable, high-quality fire protection services for all residents.”

The letter is signed by Eddie Nunnery, chair of the board of commissioners of the Chester Fire District.

06/27/2025

Great Falls Town Council will be holding a Special Meeting on Friday June 27, 2025 at 6:00pm at the Great Falls Town Hall.
Chester News & Reporter

06/26/2025

The News & Reporter has learned more information about Monday’s departure of Kim Benenhaley as police chief of Great Falls.
Per sources, texts between Benenhaley and Town Administrator Josh Glenn indicate that he instructed her to hire a particular candidate for a part-time officer position on Monday. According texts shared with the newspaper, she responded that she had too much on her plate, that the hiring process could not take place that quickly, that she had other interviews lined up for the position and that she had reservations about the recommended hire. The reservations, in part, dealt with a potential conflict of interest. Per the texts, Glenn instructed her that she needed to clear time on her schedule, needed to get the hire started and that she would be hiring the candidate as he was instructing. There was a reference to the job having been promised to the individual. After much back-and-forth, Benenhaley was given the option to either hire the individual or resign as chief. She responded that she was not comfortable with the situation, would not make the hire and if that meant she resigned, then so be it at which point she was told to “go home.”
Per an email from Great Falls Mayor Keevi Worthy sent this morning at 9:34 a.m., “it was told that Chief Benenhaley quit, she was told to go home because she did not do what the administrator asked. “
“She thought he had the right to fire her, he does not have that right so as of today Chief will be back at work! Thank you all and have a great day,” Worthy wrote.
Great Falls Town Council did vote to give all authority over personnel matters to Glenn recently, but Worthy and Councilwoman Tiffany Craig ) argue that such authority cannot be bestowed by a single reading of a resolution (which is how the Council carried out the action) and that it should be done by ordinance (which requires two readings) since authority to control all personnel matters is given to the Council by ordinance. (Craig opposed giving him the authority to begin with, Worthy originally voted to give him personnel authority but now says that was a mistake) Specifically, Town ordinance says “Each officer or employee of the town appointed or hired by the council shall have such position for such term as the council may designate and shall be subject to removal from office or employment for any cause the council may deem sufficient.” Additionally, Town ordinances give the mayor additional powers in relation to the police department…
“(a) The mayor shall have exclusive control of the police department insofar as seeing that the policies of the council and the laws of the town are being enforced and shall be in charge of emergency operations when he deems them necessary.
(b) The mayor shall have the power to appoint temporarily any number of reserve police as may in his sound discretion or judgment be deemed necessary for carrying out and enforcing any or all ordinances of the town, not inconsistent with the laws of the state and preservative of the health and police powers of the town.”
Benenhaley also released a statement to The News & Reporter indicating she is not comfortable returning to work.
“Due to the lack of information and lack of anyone truly knowing what is what, I feel it is in my best interest not to come back. At this point even if I came back the council could turn right around and vote me right back out. We all know he has majority vote. A solid answer could not even be given on whether he has the power to hire an officer or not. The attorney said he didn’t think he did but he just wasn’t sure. Nobody seems to know much and as a Chief of Police there is so much more at stake when it comes to the officers that you hire and are over. It all falls solely on the Chief of Police. Not the town administrator or even the Mayor or council. Their every action, decision and choice falls on that Chief. I can’t take the risk in having someone being hired and the conflict that causes with the town falling on me. I also can’t continue to not know if I have a job or not. It isn’t right or fair for someone to constantly not feel secure in their position and job. Even when they are doing everything they can to uphold that position to its highest regard. I truly never wanted any of this but with the lack of answers and knowledge, the risk is too high for me to walk back in that office and continue my role as the Chief.”

06/26/2025

Chester News & Reporter

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