Concerned Citizens of Bamberg County

93 Jay St. Bamberg, SC 29003

concernedcitizensbc@gmail.com

March 8, 2019

Bamberg County Council: Kinard, Hammond, Haynes, Guess, Odom, Comer, and Carter

P.O. Box 149

1234 North St.

Bamberg, SC 29003

As elected officials and guardians of the county, its resources, its future, its well-being, and its constituents, we beseech you to do the following:

In that section I, paragraph 3 of the Independent Contractor Agreement (hereinafter “The Agreement”) between the County of Bamberg and Preston Consulting, LLC states clearly that Preston Consulting, LLC (hereinafter “Preston”) serves at the “pleasure of Council”. A review of the finances of the County of Bamberg it appears that the County has incurred record debt at the behest and direction of Preston. That the obligation to repay these debts ultimately falls upon the resident taxpayers of Bamberg County who by signing this petition are voicing their dissatisfaction with Preston in directing the County of Bamberg to incur the extensive long term debt .

Further pursuant to S.C. Code Ann.§4-9-620 which states, “The council shall employ (emphasis added) an administrator” which is directly referenced in the Independent Contractor Agreement executed by the County of Bamberg and Preston. However, the Agreement Section 1 paragraph 4 specifically states the following, “This Agreement shall not render Contractor an employee, partner, agent of or joint venture with the County for any purpose.” Wherefore, it appearing that the Agreement is on its face in violation of S.C. Code Ann. §4-9-620 that the Agreement is null and void and therefore, should be terminated immediately. Further this provision cannot be cured in Section IX of the Agreement which provides for enforceability of the Agreement if any part therein shall be deemed invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

That the above issues constitute reasonable cause for termination pursuant to Section VI, paragraph 4 of the Agreement

Wherefore petitioners by their signatures below demand that Council add the above issues to its meeting agenda, make a motion, and/or second a motion, and vote for the immediate termination of the contract between Bamberg County and Preston Contracting LLC, as allowed according to the contract section VI.

This is the will of the Concerned Citizens of Bamberg County and those signed below. We see no positive or prosperous future for Bamberg County under the current administration and demand that our petition be added as an agenda item at the County Council Meeting.