NOT YOUR GARDEN VARIETY CORRUPTION …
So the city of West Columbia, S.C. is in the news this week … and as you might imagine, it’s not for anything good.
The municipality – which we’ve always referred to as the “armpit of the Midlands” – is apparently dealing with some serious issues involving its mayor, Joe Owens. In fact a report prepared by a local attorney accuses the mayor of all sorts of public corruption – including threats, favoritism, obstruction of justice, waste of taxpayer resources, etc.
“On a routine basis Mayor Owens ordered or instigated, under threat of termination, the taking of certain actions, the procurement of certain equipment or services, or the hiring of certain employees in violation of ordinances, policies, and procedures and over the objection of the City Administrator or other department heads,” the report alleges. “When challenged as to any particular directive or activity, the Mayor routinely threatened to have the reluctant employee or staff member fired, often stating something along the lines of, ‘Remember, I have the votes,’ or, ‘If you don’t do it, I will have you fired.'”
And this is different from other local governments in South Carolina … how?
“This routine intimidation gave way to an atmosphere in which most employees refused to question the Mayor and simply did as they were told regardless of the law or the established policies,” the report continues.
Again … how is this any different from any other government in the Palmetto State?
Just wait …
Of particular interest in the document are allegations regarding the city’s former assistant police chief Matt Edwards – a law enforcement officer who was allegedly promoted within the department thanks to “interference” from Owens.
Edwards is accused of all the predictable stuff – fixing traffic tickets for council members, signing off on fraudulent time sheets and practicing favoritism among his employees. He’s also accused of asking job applicants discriminatory questions.
But he’s also been accused of some bizarre behavior …
“There were numerous officers who related an instance of former Major Edwards having had dogs unnecessarily shot,” the report states. “More than one officer indicated that Edwards ordered the shooting of 3 dogs on October 9, 2012. More than one of those officers indicated that the dogs were not threatening and one referred to them as ‘docile.’ Further, one of the officers indicated that Edwards ordered them to shoot the dogs in a firing squad manner as he raised his arm and lowered it while calling ‘Fire!'”
Wow …
Edwards lost his job with the city earlier this year – but not before Owens went to the mat (quite graphically) on his behalf.
“You better have all the cards when you move because I will fight that till I am sh*tty as a bull,” Owens told the city’s police chief in reference to his decision to terminate Edwards. “We are going to find out who has the hairiest balls.”
“Hairiest balls?”
Again … wow.
We don’t really care what happens in West Columbia because it is literally the definition of an eyesore, but this is what happens when you let ignorant rednecks vote for other ignorant rednecks – and then give them millions of dollars to play with.
You get wanna-be Heinrich Himmlers executing dogs by firing squad and wanna-be Adolf Hitler’s discussing whose balls are the hairiest.
To read the report for yourself, click the link below …
57 comments
So the entire region (The Midlands) known by the rest of the state as the “armpit of the state” has somewhere the residents there call “the armpit of the midlands”?
Thats like two midgets arguing over who is tallest.
Godwin wept.
Who paid for it?
Most cops are sociopaths, so this behavior fits:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/why-the-wild-things-are/201302/do-mass-killers-start-out-harming-pets
Didn’t realize they allowed prisoners internet access….
“You get one free phone call, one Facebook status update, or three tweets. Your choice.”
Oh, and I didn’t see anything in that article referencing police. Shoot, quite a few businessmen and most salesmen are sociopaths!
Not one post, but two! You’re yelping like a hit dog.
And the hierarchy in West Columbia is is different from Barack Obama, HOW?…yet FITS thinks Barack is the smoothest and the hairiest bulldog, because it’s what the elitists believe, too…
While FITS is loose w/ the hatred and bullying of the West Columbia citizen, name calling and all, why is he gutless to call any names of the voters who place Steve “I like big exotic dancer butts” Benjamin?
Lot’s of courage to bully the sin-eaters, but coward to tell the truth on the protected. Nice selectivity.
Get over yourself !
Sadly, he never will. There is no cure for stupid.
This is exactly what Simpsonville Mayor Perry Eichor is accused of and has been indicted. According to the solicitor, former AG Walt Wilkins, Eichor threatened a city judge with the loss of his job if he did not do as the mayor wished. He has been charged with malfeasance in office among other things.
My Opinion:
Owens has always been a person of questionable integrity and ethics.
I worked closely with him for years and never felt you could trust anything he said.
Found, like halfacre, he would bend the rules for friends and people he wanted obligated to him.
Remember, he hired Danny Frazier (Lexington Ring) to a do nothing job and paid him with taxpayer funds, just like indicted Sheriff james R. Metts! He was a close associate to the ring and it’s members, especially Danny Frazier,Randy Halfacre, Tim James and Bob Peeler.
I’m glad to see the light finally shined on these cock roaches and watch them squeal on each other.
Yea! And Chief Dennis Tyndall allowed Danny Frazier to operate an illegal video poker business one block away from the police department. Just listen to the audio tapes of Danny Frazier saying that he has Dennis Tyndall at his business and would call him their again to reassure the informant that Chief Tynadall was not going to enforce the gambling laws.
Yeah, don’t forget Tyndall and Amidio from South Congaree!
I personally spoke with Owens, Amidio, Peeler and Donna when they campaigning for Frazier!
She loved to jump people about what a “great guy Frazier is” and how people were trying to ” ruin him and needede to leave him alone”! Dumb, involved or hoping to hide something?
The whole bunch is a blight on Lexington County!
Anyone around the town of lexington’s Main St. Cafe, Donnie Meyers birthday party, Travinias, or Unos’s could see what this entire bunch was about….and it was not pretty Owens fit in nicely!
And Tyndall is going to run for Lexington County Sheriff?
Lawd help us all. The necks in West Columbia are just as corrupt as the blacks in Columbia.
Dear William,
How hairy are your balls, and, are you a landing strip, bikini wax, or bald eagle kind of guy?
Signed,
Muffdiving in Myrtle
Probably something like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sn1RUjbL1g
this was not an investigation it was a witch hunt, first how about let’s name the council members that tickets were fixed for?? of course they were not going to because there was no tickets fixed for any council members or else they would have been listed. second off the dogs that were killed that were “Docile” they were three pit bulls that had attacked a residents horse then pursued the owner. The cops that were interviewed are nothing more than whiny babies. “Matt Intimidated Me And HuRt My Feelings” really man up put your big boy pants on and be a cop. One has to question paying an individual $15,000 To audit a City Hall and they only found fault with one person, The mayor And An individual who doesn’t work there any longer. it is called a smear campaign. and the producer is Tem Miles. he is a joke.
You sound like an intelligent human being…who is this person keeping a horse in the city limits?
In the Hook Ave area of town there were horses, cows, and other animals for years and may still be.
Oh yeah…over there by council member Hallman’s farm. Isn’t she the lady who stands by Joe on every vote. Guess they have some dog skeleton’s in their closet.
Why, Are you jealous
He is not jealous he is bitter. And he found a friend in Temus because his buddy lost to Hallman. Now I am not even sure she has horses. But this group does not let facts stop them.
did you just pose a question and then answer it yourself? learn how to change your username. The only part right in your answer was “I am not even sure”. I’m fairly confident Hallman brings horses into her farm. Even more confident she made the complaint about the dogs barking at her horse. And I’m positive a FOIA request will show the police department’s response was to shoot the docile dogs. SAD…I hope Temus can run the white trash off of city council.
I hope he can too. Unthank,Parlor, and Harley do need to go
Joe’s got to go.
And A Arrogant, Smug Non Charismatic Ass Is The Answer. Ok #notInMyTown
ahhhh resorting to name calling…if you’re gonna troll, troll hard my friend. Won’t save Joe, Matt, or Hallman, but it does make me laugh.
So I guess truth only counts when you like it. Troll calling a troll now that is funny.
All this talk of horses & asses have my hairy balls blue.
Thank you for your input Major.
I Am No Major But A Tax Payor Of West Columbia Who Embraces And Knows My Neighbors. I Am A Republican And Proud Of Doing What Has To Be Done. Matt And Joe Did What Had To Be Done Not What Was Politically Correct. Long Live Reagan
“Long Live Reagan”
I’m surprised to have to break it to you, but Ronnie’s now burning in Hell.
I am disappointed in you Will. Usually you get to the bottom of things and find the truth out. Don’t you go to church with BJ Unthank another council member who Temus has made his bitch. And aren’t you pretty close with the PR girl Temus has. You article is just as much bull shit as the report. I hope someone will provide you with the relationship Temus has with Bolchoz. And come on Will Temus actually thinks Tyndall will be sheriff.
“[T]his is what happens when you let ignorant rednecks vote for other ignorant rednecks – and then give them millions of dollars to play with.”
Sounds like North Charleston.
No, The entire State. You have the gamebook plan, though.
Whats funny is the Chief of Police saying he has been intimidated by the mayor. Didn’t just read he just renewed his contract that he has had for some time now. Having a contract protects him from political issues like this. He seems to have been playing the same game it sounds like, and now he cries intimidation. Suck it up Dennis you don’t have a chance at becoming Sheriff of Lexington county no matter how much Timmy James helps you. Dennis has played all these games throughout his tenure as Chief and now he claims to being bullied. “Bullshit”.
The whole crew needs to go. The Mayor, Police Chief, and half the council, and I hope the citizens vote against the strong Mayor and the corruption that exist in W. Cola or as the thugs say “West Hell”.
As far as Matt Edwards. I feel the report is accurate about his ethics and morals, basically he doesn’t have any. The one thing that sticks out about Edwards is during the Danny Frazier tapes. Matt is indicated by Frazier that he was meeting Edwards and Jones from the W Cola PD. “What was Frazier meeting with them for? Hmmmmmm Would it be that Frazier and Owens are best friends and Owens hired Frazier as a consultant for the city. Would it be that Frazier was operating the video poker under Dennis Tyndal’s nose and Dennis wouldn’t act on it to shut it down. OR were the officers that were mentioned on the tapes, that Danny would have them come down and introduce the potential owner (Edwards and Jones).
West Cola has a stench in the air, but then again it always has had the stench that leaked out. James Metts(WC), Dennis Tyndal (WC), Jake Knotts (WC), Joe Owens (WC), Danny Fraizer (WC), Matt Edwards (WC), Jones (WC), Timmy James (WC/Cayce), Sen Setzler (WC), Joe Mergo (WC-Setzler son-in-law), Boss Bull (WC),
Robert Bolchoz has skeletons in his own closet from when he was with the 9th Circuit Prosecutors office. If not for having immunity for clearly unconstitutional and illegal acts, he would not writing that letter to BJ Unthank. The man, in my opinion, is just as guilty of crimes as Mayor Owens. Yes, Karma can be a bitch, can’t it Mr. Bolchoz? You’re a scum bucket.
And His Shoney Big Boy Has BroughtHim Into Something That Is Going To Cost Him Money
Hmmm…somebody is falling short on his reporting! I’m use to you digging deep and finding out the truth. Please tell me you aren’t becoming like the rest of Columbia…one sided. Let’s see, I’m sure you know about the relationship between Council Member Tem Miles and the attorney?! Right?! When handing out business cards to the other Councel Members, the attorney waved off Tem since he’s on Tem’s contacts. I’m sure you know that Matt Edwards didn’t want to shoot the pit bulls that were getting ready to attack? It’s interesting the attorney didn’t talk to him or the mayor. It’s amazing what Tem Miles has done to turn WC upside down in 8 short months. You should show up and watch BJ Unthank try and run the meetings while laughing as he makes mistake after mistake. Or as everyone looks at Tem to make the decision. Hmmm…I sure wish you would dig deeper…I’m sure Tem’s PR girl from his law firm would love to chat with you! She’s working for free for the good of Tem. Actually, she wants in at WC. It goes on and on and on.
I’d like to hear about the relationship between Miles and Bolchoz so please enlighten us? In regard to the business card, you do understand every attorney in the state has a lawyer’s desk book with contact info for every attorney in the state. And you’re right, Matt Edwards didn’t want to shoot those dogs nor did he. He lined up three deputies, raised his arm, and lowered it firing squad-style so the dogs would stop barking at councilwoman Hallman’s horses. Really sad how far you’ll go to defend this trash.
I’m aware how the law works since I am in a family with several attorneys. I’m sorry I couldn’t share the attorney’s face when he waved Tem off. I’m sure you know how Tem knows him. I know you don’t think Tem is dishonest. After all he put in a flier that he’s an active member at Holland Avenue Baptist Church. Bless, he even lies about church! The active church members are disappointed in him because they do a lot for our community.
It’s okay that I’m not going to change your mind. I’m thankful for the police officers for killing the attack dogs before they did further harm. I’m thankful that I live in a nice neighborhood in WC with friendly dogs and cats. Sure wish we had our council back before Brother Miles.
you do understand the “attack dogs” myth was made up by Matt Edwards right? That’s what he said when he shot two other dogs in his front yard. BUT if you really want to hear a funny story ask him about the time he shot the vacuum cleaner in the police station. Must have been an attack vacuum. It’s all documented. You just have to open you eyes and educate yourself.
What no response about Brother miles ? And I know all about everything you post. Answer about Brother miles and then I will ask you another question.
If you know all about everything I post how many times did Matt Edwards shoot the two dogs in his front yard? I’d bet a FOIA request will show he shot one 13 times and the other 12 times. He’s Joe’s psycho. Joes gotta go.
I’m a little confused. My babies go to Holland Baptist Church with his kids. Does he not go to service often enough on Sunday? Seems ticky tacky to me.
I love West Columbia, especially the Police force. I think it was ’94, I was so intoxicated, I decided to walk home 7 miles away. A Policeman stopped me at the old Weco billiards. I didn’t even know my name. He took me off the street’s to the motel ( jail ). Next morning I woke up to a Sonic burger, fries and a coke, and let out a few hours latter. Those were the days ! Thanks WESCO !
my last post, Joe Owens may not Be polished like other political figures. he has no filter I will give you that, the man has the heart of gold. the fence that was mentioned in the report was a fence for a black bLind woman who had a yard that everyone from the chicken plant crossed through. these individuals terrorizeD her yard and stole from her. her council member mr. Jones did nothing to help her. he did not put the fence in his own yard! Joe I’ll be asleep he has the support of 1600 residents in West Columbia go figure. I was not convinced on the strong mayor route until the audit came out now I will vote yes all of the way. we have a bunch or should I say 5 idiots running our city. go Joe Owens
.
most polished individual there is
Auto CorreCt Is A Bitch
Glad you can only vote once. I’ll proudly cancel you out.
And then I will vote and another person I am staring at will vote so right now it is 3-1.
The ultimate irony will be you getting your way. And to the person watching you troll on Fits, get a life.
You people that are defending Matt and joe have no clue. You live in the same fantasy world they live in where they are right and everyone else is wrong. I have worked here a long time and all of this is true. Y’all need to look past the friendships you have with them and understand where they is smoke there if fire and that fire has been burning out of control for over 2 years. I have seen their mistreatment of people first hand and have been one that was treated unfairly. Ok go ahead and say I am whining I know that is what the critics will say. But let me tell you that the mayor is like a big bully on the play ground and he does not like when he is challenged. Just three nights ago he jumped on one of his fellow councilman because that man does not agree with him. Mr fowler if trying to do the right thing and the mayor as normal is trying to intimidate him. Joe Owens and Matt Edwards are cancers to the PD and City Hall. Please get better informed and look at it this way, if the man in report was not named joe Owens would you believe what is written, I bet you would. Please look past your friendships and be objective and you will see the truth. These guy must go, vote no!
If Temus Miles was 100 % honest in all he does then I would believe this report. Temus has lied since he started seeking office. A man that can lie about Jesus is a man no one can ever trust. So I guess it boils down to who I believe and who I feel does a better job.
How dare he tell you evolution is real. Can’t trust a man that tries to talk science to trash.