Columbus County Community Chat

A wrongful termination complaint filed against the Columbus County Department of Social Services and set to be heard Tuesday in Brunswick County has been continued. No new date has been set.

By JEFFERSON WEAVER
Staff Writer

A new campground may be in the works on Dupree Landing Road.

The Columbus County Planning Board Thursday approved a plan submitted by Mike Butts to build a 45-lot recreational vehicle campground on Dupree Landing Road near Lake Waccamaw. The campground, called Last Chance Campground, will be situated just west of the town limits.

The Planning Board gave the go-ahead to send the plan to the county commissioners with a favorable endorsement. The senior county board has the final say on whether a permit for the project will be granted.

By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

It’s a five-party agreement commissioners signed off on more than two years ago.

But terms of that agreement are looking as though it may cost county taxpayers and commissioners seem hesitant to agree to a 40-year lease to own agreement that is related to the project.

The multi-million-dollar system, paid for entirely with grants, will pump sewer from three Columbus County municipalities, to a treatment plant in Fairmont.

• EMS personnel divided over complaints of favoritism, poor communication; Obrecht cites missed calls and controversial 911 recording

By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

Rescue squad personnel from throughout Columbus County packed the commissioners’ chambers Monday night.
Eight of nine rescue chiefs voted at a Columbus County Fire and Rescue Association meeting to ask that the Board of Commissioners fire Dr. Fred Obrecht from his contract position as EMS medical director and eliminate nurse liaison Becky Smith’s position, association president Tony Miller said.
The board took no action but said they would take the request under advisement.

By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

Columbus County’s Emergency Services Medical Director may have thought a debate that erupted years ago involving the renewal of his contract was over.
But it’s not.
Columbus County Fire and Rescue Association President Tony Miller will ask the Columbus County Board of commissioners to not only remove Dr. Fred Obrecht from his position but also nurse Liaison Becky Smith.
A letter signed by the association’s Vice President Sara Spivey lists all rescue squads but Whiteville as being in favor of the removal but does not specify why.
Attempts to get in touch with Miller at his home Friday were unsuccessful.
“We wish both Dr. Obrecht and Mrs. Smith well, but believe that Columbus County and its Emergency Medical Service providers will be better served with a change at this time,” the letter reads.
A separate letter bearing Miller’s name requests the item be added to the commissioner’s agenda for Monday night.
“I’m probably headed out but I’m going to tell the truth when I go out,” Obrecht said Sunday (Aug. 19). “I have a rebuttal planned.” (See full story by clicking on title)