City councilman brings racial tone to discussions of controversial fountain

A Gaffney councilman didn't mince words Monday when he unabashedly asked a fellow councilman if race was behind his move to halt the mayor's plan to purchase a drinking fountain for the Johnny Q. Little Park.

City Councilman Bernard Smith, who is black, said some of his constituents have wondered if councilman Wayne Ramsey, who is white, opposed the purchase of the water fountain to prevent "black people from drinking out of fountain used by white people."

Ramsey disputed that claim, saying he was concerned over the fountain's upkeep.

Gaffney Mayor Henry Jolly said during September's council meeting he would pay for the $1,000 drinking fountain after council failed to approve an option for a decorative fountain that included the installation of a drinking fountain.

But at October's council meeting, Ramsey, who was absent at the September meeting, said he wanted to make a motion to stop the mayor from purchasing the fountain. Ramsey said the drinking fountain was unnecessary and the mayor was out of order because the drinking fountain wasn't an agenda item.

The mayor responded by ruling Ramsey out of order because he said Ramsey's motion wasn't on the agenda.

The item was back on Monday's agenda, with council members Dennis Ramsey, Billy Love and Boone Peeler siding with Ramsey to stop the purchase of the water fountain.

Peeler said he opposed the mayor's purchase of the drinking fountain because the Johnny Q. Little Park is a passive park, not a recreational facility.

Jolly has said the drinking fountain is needed since the park will serve as a resting spot for walkers and joggers on College Drive.

The park is located at College Drive and Rutledge Avenue.