David Watson Appointed Chief WVFD

The Town of Wagener hired David Watson as Fire Chief for the volunteer fire department in mid-February. Watson replaces Gerald Taylor who served as interim chief from November 2020 until February 2021.

The Wagener volunteer fire department currently has 14 active firefighters. The position of Assistant Chief has not been filled at this time. Serving as Captain is Travis Kennedy and serving as Lieutenant is Eric Middleton. Kennedy is second in charge until an Assistant Chief is named.

“We’re trying to move forward,” Watson said recently. “The group that was here did an amazing job. Mark was a phenomenal fire chief. Gerald Taylor did a fabulous job to make sure people were still protected. The community is protected and well taken care of. The fire department is here for the community.”

Watson has had quite a few calls in the month that he has been here including two structure fires in Salley, two in New Holland, a couple of medical calls and standing by for Couchton during the barn and brush fire.

Wagener Fire Chief Suspended

On Nov. 11, the town council suspended the chief of the Wagener Fire Department, Mark Redd, as well as the Assistant Chief, George Day. Gerald Taylor is assigned Interim Chief. According to the Fire Marshall’s office, the only two officers listed are Chief Redd and his son Stephen Cody Redd. However, in local records, we see George Day listed as Assistant Chief.

A current investigation is being conducted by SLED and that investigation requires limited public comment.

There are twelve firefighters in the fire department and each one will have to decide whether to stay or go. Acting Chief Taylor will meet with each one individually to determine which will remain.

The suspension arose due to inappropriate use of social media and insufficient bookkeeping documentation regarding the finances of the Wagener Fire Department.

There have been considerable difficulties between the fire department and the town council and mayor in the past few years. There have been repeated breaches of security and a repeated lack of response from the fire department when asked for bookkeeping documentation. Funding was used by the fire department without proper documentation.

“If any state or federal official questions where money comes from, we have to tell them.“ Wagener Mayor Mike Miller said.  “These (suspensions) are temporary arrangements, but some people involved have elected to make them permanent…….. Why can’t we work together? I’m not accusing anyone of wrong doing, but why are we unable to work together.

“We appreciate their service, but it’s not a closed domain.  It’s a department of this town and everybody is entitled to information. We repeatedly received no response from the fire department when we had questions regarding the bookkeeping. It is a breach of security.”

Wagener Monthly Newspaper Discontinued After 19 Years

By Valerie Sliker, Courtesy Wagener Monthly

With great sadness, I have to announce that this 231st edition of the Wagener Monthly is our final one. I’m full of gratitude for my readers, advertisers, columnists, editors and the publisher. The Wagener Monthly has been a presentation of the Aiken Standard which is owned by Evening Post Industries and published by Rhonda Overbey. I’m very thankful for the dedicated work from Karen Klock, Presentations Editor. I’m pretty sure I have given her more than a few gray hairs.

Dee Taylor started the Wagener Monthly at the suggestion of Scott Hoover just over nineteen years ago while Scott Hunter was the publisher of the Aiken Standard. Taylor credits Hunter, her mentor, for getting the paper approved and published. It wouldn’t have happened without him.

Hoover’s Flooring had an ad in every single issue and for that, I thank you Scott and Sandra. Taylor fondly recalls conversations with Scott Hoover in which they dreamed of what could be possible. She was working days as an ad manager at the Aiken Standard at the time.

Jim Bennett Bids Farewell to WUMC

Courtesy Wagener Monthly

After five wonderful years in the pulpit at the Wagener United Methodist Church (WUMC), Rev. Jim Bennett, at 77 years of age, has decided it is time to take a rest. But you won’t actually find America’s famous Weekend Gardener resting.

Bennett and his wife, Mattie host a community crop garden on their farm in Windsor, SC. Volunteers from different churches help maintain the garden and the produce is donated to the Salvation Army and a local food bank.

Bennett also has returned to broadcasting. With the help of his granddaughter Emily, Bennett produces gardening videos via YouTube under the pseudonym The Old Gardener, a nod to his years broadcasting on cable TV in the early eighties as The Weekend Gardener.

“The Lord has provided things for me to stay busy,” Bennett said. “I like to turn wooden bowls on lathes. I enjoy gardening, spending time with grandkids and family, helping them refinish furniture. I don’t have much idle time.”

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