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Overview
The Fairfield County Council is the elected governing body of Fairfield County.
Meetings are held for the transaction of official business on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 6:00 PM in the Fairfield County Government Complex Council Chambers unless otherwise specified by Council.
All meetings shall be open to the public except authorized executive sessions.
County Council Members
Dan Ruff - District 1
P.O. Box 128
Ridgeway, SC 29130
Phone: 803-801-3874
Fax: 803-337-8601
Email: dan.ruff@fairfield.sc.gov
Term Expires: 12/31/2026
Number Of Years Serving On Council: 1st Term
Education: Erskine College - B.S. in Business Finance
Current Occupation: Owner of Ruff Hardware
Volunteer Activities/Community Involvement: Church and Chamber of Commerce
Hobbies: Hunting and fishing
Donald C. Goldbach Jr. - District 2
PO Box 62
Winnsboro, SC 29180
Phone: 803-801-3367
Email: don.goldbach@fairfield.sc.gov
Term Expires: 12/31/2028
Number of Years Serving on Council: 1st Term
Education:
BS Chemical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh; Leadership courses; Lean Manufacturing & Six Sigma courses.
Current Occupation: Retired, Westinghouse Electric Company.
Volunteer Activities/Community Involvement: VFW Auxiliary Post 8346; Lake Wateree Association member; Neighborhood Short Term Rental Committee.
Hobbies: Spoiling four grandchildren; Home remodeling projects; Walking/Hiking; Golf.
Quote: "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor." -The signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Peggy Swearingen - District 3
218 Oakview Drive
Blair, SC 29015
Phone: 803-801-3879
Fax: 803-712-9287
Email: peggy.swearingen@fairfield.sc.gov
Term Expires: 12/31/2026
Number of Years Serving on Council: 1st Term
Education: Vocational School
Current Occupation: Licensed Part-time Insurance Agent with Nationwide Insurance Company.
Volunteer Activities/Community Involvement: Fairfield County Electic Cooperative - District 4
Hobbies: Gardening, traveling, and spending time with my grandchildren
Quote: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” ~Matthew 7:12
Carl Bell, Vice Chairman - District 4
7 Fantasy Drive
Jenkinsville, SC 29065
Office: 803-815-4003
Phone: 803-801-3320
Email: carl.bell@fairfield.sc.gov
Term Expires: 12/31/2028
Number of Years Serving on Council: 1st Term
Education: B.S. in Political Science, University of South Carolina. A.S. Degree in Legal Studies, Queens College, London, England. Graduate (MS) degree in Counseling - University of South Carolina Graduate School. Twenty-two years veteran of US Navy.
Current Occupation: Paralegal with Terreni Law Firm, LLC, Columbia, SC
Worked in the legal profession for over 35 years – half of that in the US Navy.
Volunteer Activities/Community Involvement: Christian Education Director, Sunday School Teacher, Bible Study Teacher and Men’s Christian Education. Advocating for the treatment and support of Alzheimer love ones.
Hobbies: Physical training, exercising and healthy living, cooking and eating. An avid reader, baking, traveling and gardening.
Quote: “Learning never exhausts the mind.” Leonardo da Vinci
Douglas Pauley- District 5
3874 U.S. Highway 321S
Winnsboro, SC 29180
Phone: 803-801-3407
Fax: 803-712-6510
Email: douglas.pauley@fairfield.sc.gov
Term Expires: 12/31/2026
Number of Years Serving on Council: 2nd Term
Education: Graduate of Fairfield Central High School and the University of South Carolina with an Associate of Science Degree.
Current Occupation: Licensed Insurance Agent with Nationwide Insurance Company.
Volunteer Activities/Community Involvement: Member of Winnsboro Lions Club and also served on the Fairfield Behavioral Health Services Board.
Hobbies: DJ’ing, being outdoors and sports
Quote: “My goal is to take a positive stand for the citizens of Fairfield County and to always remain focused on our future.”
Oren Gadson - District 6
309 Park Street
Winnsboro, SC 29180
Phone: 803-801-9559
Fax:
Email: oren.gadson@fairfield.sc.gov
Term Expires: 12/31/2028
Number of years serving on Council: 1st Term
Current Occupation: Retired (Law Enforcement)
Volunteer Activities/Community Involvement: Volunteer at the Board of Disability and Special Needs.
Hobbies: Fishing and Hunting; Coin Collecting.
Quote: Everybody can have a seat at the table!
Clarence Gilbert, Chairman - District 7
1758 Pumphouse Road
Winnsboro, SC 29180
Phone: 803-801-3764
Fax: 803-712-6510
Email: clarence.gilbert@fairfield.sc.gov
Term Expires: 12/31/2026
Number of years serving on Council: 2nd Term
Education: Palmer College, Associate Degree on Business Administration.
Current Occupation: Gilbert’s Landscaping and Lawn Service.
Church Activities: Deacon, Chairman of Finance Department.
Hobbies: Cars, trucks and spending time with family and friends.
Resources
County Council Contact Information
Main Office Phone: 803-635-1620
Fax: 803-712-6510
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM
Address:
250 N Walnut Street
Winnsboro, South Carolina 29180