Local Radar

County settles suit over bonds
web posted November 29, 2005

COUNTY – Edgefield County has settled a lawsuit filed over the vote to support the now defunct Theater Project that was to go in property the Town of Edgefield filed to take possession of from the Mims’ family. The suit was filed over a July 6, 2004 vote by the County Council to support the project after an off agenda request by Developer Bettis Rainsford was inserted. In the vote the county agreed to issue general obligation bonds in the amount of $200,000 to support the project. The suit contended the vote was improper for several reasons.

According to the lawsuit filed in Edgefield County it claimed the County Council improperly added the item and Mr. Rainsford to the agenda. In addition the vote to support the Theater Project via general obligation bonds without notice to the public was also cited as improper. The answer filed on behalf of the county maintained they acted properly.

As the Court of Common Pleas opened this week the case was set for trial after County Attorney John Byrd Jr. told Judge Larry Patterson that the recently deceased Judge Westbrook had placed the case to a referee to be settled. Judge Patterson asked the plaintiff if they were prepared to move forward and the reply was, “we are you honor. We are ready to go.”

Within hours of the decision to have the case heard the county made an offer to settle the suit and it was accepted. The conditions of the settlement have not been released.
 

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