Resident urges Hampton County to return community‑center fundraising to local control

Mary Duncan, identifying herself as a representative of the Nicksville area community league, told the Hampton County Council on Dec. 1 that funds residents raise for the Varnville/Barnesville community center are being deposited into county accounts rather than held for local use. "If we're raising funds for our children, the fund should remain for our children," Duncan said, adding that the gym floor needs repair and the program lacks money for uniforms and travel.

Duncan said fundraisers have dried up because donors expect the county to control the money, and she asked the council to establish a separate account for community‑center funds. She also warned that lack of recreational opportunities risks pushing young people toward crime, noting a recent robbery in the Nicksville area.

Council members asked procedural questions and asked staff to follow up. Chair asked Administrator Newman to check the accounting and provide a paper trail; Duncan said she would return Dec. 18 if she had not received answers. Michelle Gaston, who identified herself as supporting Hampton County’s budget process, explained elsewhere in the meeting that some expenses — including recently delivered radios — required year‑end accounting adjustments because they were incurred in FY2025 even though invoices were processed later.

The council did not take formal action on the community‑center funding during the session. Council members discussed filling recreation‑committee vacancies and invited Duncan to join a countywide revamp of the recreation committee. The meeting record shows the council requested staff follow up with Duncan and provide contact information for further communication.