SIX MILE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Six Mile may be small, but its pint-sized town pride is powerful, as demonstrated by a passionate town council meeting Tuesday night.
It marked the first time residents and neighbors got the opportunity to speak directly to local leaders about the small town’s controversy over consequences stemming from statements about throwing Christmas candy.
When Pickens County demoted Fire Chief Michael Barrett to captain and fired Assistant Fire Chief Kendall Rampey, the town scheduled a specially called meeting for people to hear from leaders. But when people, including a FOX Carolina crew, traveled for the meeting, they were met with a paper taped on the outside door that said it was cancelled and pushed back to Oct. 7.
“People are hurting, and you can see it on their faces,” one neighbor said during the public comment section.
“Over the last couple of weeks, there have been no winners or losers,” another person said. “We’re all losers.”
Some people who spoke said they were let down by the town’s little-to-no response after the fire leadership changes.
“I think there should have been an immediate response from our town to back [Barrett and Rampey],” neighbor Rusty Elrod said.
“Your silence from this office and position spoke loudly,” added another person.
A group of people came dressed in gray T-shirts that said “Six Mile United We Stand” to show support for the town’s fire leaders. Elrod even brought a shirt for Atkinson.
Atkinson began the meeting with a statement about small-town pride. He said Six Mile has been tested to reflect on its actions, including on social media, adding that he believes the town can weather the storm.
“I think we’re stronger than that,” Atkinson said.
He also introduced a lawyer who told attendees that municipalities cannot get special event insurance if they throw candy from floats.
Several people said they were disappointed in Atkinson for not talking directly to residents about the issues.
“I wanted them to address and give us answers for what happened with the fire department and tell us everything’s gonna be alright — but address our feelings,” one resident said after the meeting.
“When you have a mayor who won’t stand up for his firemen and not offer any kind of apology — it’s pathetic,” Elrod added.
At the very end of the meeting, councilors also approved the hiring of a new events coordinator. The town’s previous event coordinator resigned a few weeks ago in response to the change in fire leadership.
The town and county are currently working to reinstate Barrett and Rampey. A date has not yet been officially announced in writing for the reinstatement.
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