Newberry Accountability Project

04/15/2026

An unprecedented decision has been made by the Newberry City Council, and it deserves a response louder than silence.

Removing public comment from the agenda is not a minor administrative tweak. It is a red flag. It is the kind of move governments make when they decide the people’s voice is no longer useful- only troublesome. And when leaders start treating citizen input as a threat, every alarm bell should go off.

History has shown us this pattern again and again. In various authoritarian systems, the first thing to disappear is the public’s ability to speak openly. The message is always the same: “We’ll make the decisions. You stay quiet.” Public forums vanish. Dissent is labeled disruptive. Ordinary people are told their perspectives are irrelevant. And once that silence takes hold, it becomes the norm.

No one here wants to see even a hint of that trajectory in our own community.

Public comment is not a luxury. It is not an inconvenience. It is the one moment where the people who live with the consequences of government decisions can stand up and say, “This matters. Here’s why.” When that space is removed, the government stops being a reflection of the people and starts becoming a shield for itself.

Let’s be clear: silencing the public does not create order. It creates distance. It creates suspicion. It creates a government that operates without the grounding force of real human voices.

And that is how trust dies.

Communities thrive when leaders listen - even when it’s uncomfortable, even when it’s messy, even when the room is filled with disagreement. That is democracy. That is accountability. That is how a city stays healthy.

Taking away public comment is a step toward a quieter room, not a stronger community. It’s a step toward decisions made without scrutiny. It’s a step toward a government that forgets who it serves.

We cannot allow that.

So today, I’m calling for the restoration of public comment. Not as a favor. Not as a gesture. As a requirement of any government that claims to represent its people.

Because when the public is silenced, power grows unchecked. And when the public is heard, democracy stays alive.

09/17/2025

Urgent Concern Regarding Offensive Content Shared by Newberry City Council Member

To City of Newberry and Newberry College,

I am writing to express my deep concern and disappointment regarding a video recently posted by one of your city council members. The content was not only offensive and racist—it was divisive, disrespectful, and wholly unbecoming of someone entrusted with public leadership.

As a resident of Newberry, I expect our elected officials to represent our community with integrity, dignity, and respect for all constituents. This video undermines those values and sends a troubling message about the standards we are willing to accept from those in power.

Public office is not a platform for spreading harmful rhetoric or inflammatory content. It is a responsibility—a duty to serve and uplift the community. When that duty is violated, it erodes public trust and damages the very fabric of civic unity.

I urge you to take immediate action to address this matter. Silence or inaction would only signal complicity. Our community deserves better, and accountability must be more than a buzzword—it must be a practice.

Thank you for your attention to this serious issue. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

A concerned citizen

09/17/2025

Urgent Concern Regarding Offensive Content Shared by Newberry City Council Member

City of Newberry,

I am writing to express my deep concern and disappointment regarding a video recently posted by one of your city council members. The content was not only offensive and racist—it was divisive, disrespectful, and wholly unbecoming of someone entrusted with public leadership.

As a resident of Newberry, I expect our elected officials to represent our community with integrity, dignity, and respect for all constituents. This video undermines those values and sends a troubling message about the standards we are willing to accept from those in power.

Public office is not a platform for spreading harmful rhetoric or inflammatory content. It is a responsibility—a duty to serve and uplift the community. When that duty is violated, it erodes public trust and damages the very fabric of civic unity.

I urge you to take immediate action to address this matter. Silence or inaction would only signal complicity. Our community deserves better, and accountability must be more than a buzzword—it must be a practice.

Thank you for your attention to this serious issue. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

A concerned citizen

03/18/2025

Your thoughts?

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18mZibsVCW/

In an effort to lessen the impact of the safety barrier currently in place on the corner of Boyce and Caldwell Streets, City Manager Jason Taylor has said through consultation with the city’s fire chief, the barrier will be moved inward closer to the sidewalk on Boyce Street. The barrier will remain in place until the future of the building has been decided upon.

“Our goal is to allow traffic to flow while keeping pedestrians safe,” said Fire Chief Gene Shealy. “We understand it’s a nuisance, but we want to continue to ensure that the safety of the public is our number one. We feel like this will allow both to happen simultaneously.”

10/13/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Y26J1arJXu5aYASo/

From the Newberry Police Department…

08/09/2024

Untrimmed trees been like this for months on Boyce street. Branches scraping vehicles as they drive by. Is there a department that should be taking care of the landscaping here in Newberry? Asking for a friend😒.🎄🌳

07/07/2024

06/13/2024

Sign the petition.

06/13/2024

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Sign the petition.

05/20/2024

Joe needs to stay in the SC House. He has a proven track record. Among other bills, He was an integral part in passing legislation that banned DEI, CRT, and outlawed transgender (ge***al mutilation) surgery for minors here in South Carolina. He advocated for parental rights so We The Parents can file requests to have objectionable books removed from our kids' libraries. That's the short list.

Unfortunately Joe has target on his back.

He and other REAL conservatives refused to sign a loyalty pledge bowing to the demands of the establishment Republicans (Rinos). That's why the uniparty is pi**ed at Joe and The South Carolina Freedom Caucus. But it looks like they found a patsy to do their bidding. (Some say the challenger is more than willing to sign the pledge and obey the uniparty rules.)

Fortunatley It will be a waste of time and money on their part.

Don't vote for Joe just because he's a veteran, a father, grandfather, a christian, and all around good guy. Vote for him because he is a man of his word. He sticks to his faith. And he and the SCFC are whacking the hornets nest up at the South Carolina House and the uniparty is not happy. The establishment wants someone who will "go along to get along."

They want "Yes" man to keep in line.

And it looks like they found one in Joe's challenger.

Key "Republican" consultant admits link

05/20/2024

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