Growing SC town will hold special election to shake up local government
A growing town northeast of Columbia is moving forward with a shift in its leadership’s structure, potentially revoking the sitting mayor’s administrative privileges.
The town of Blythewood has been governed by a mayor and four-person council for years. The council voted Tuesday in a tense meeting to hold a special election to grant everyone on the council equal duties and appoint a manager to run the town’s administration.
Tuesday’s approval will put the change before voters in the town of about 6,000 in a special election set for mid-to-late August. It must take place within 90 days, with the last day of the period being Aug. 27. Mayor Sloan Griffin suggested holding the election on Aug. 26.
Last month, city council members cited the town’s growth as the reason for changing the governmental structure. On Tuesday night, Mayor Griffin provided his opinion on the vote when asked by a resident on the stand.
“I think that everybody’s been lying to you about the real truth behind changing the form of government,” Mayor Griffin said, adding that the effort only began during his administration and he’s had difficulty communicating effectively with council members, especially Mayor Pro-Tem Donald Brock.
Brock told the public he doesn’t trust the mayor and will not speak to him on the phone unless that trust is eventually repaired.
Mayor Griffin gave the sole “no” vote on the ordinance at both meetings.
During a public hearing Tuesday, five Blythewood residents encouraged the council to vote “no,” with several saying the real problem is not the town’s form of government but rather the dysfunction between members. Two citizens spoke in favor of reforming the government to prevent one seat from having too much power, while former Mayor Keith Bailey said the mayor’s existing power is necessary.
“We don’t need a change in government, we need a change in the way that they handle the government,” Blythewood resident Cindy Merritt told The State. “To me, it’s personal. It has nothing to do with things not working right. It’s not working right because they’re not letting it work right.”
If voters decide to vote “yes” in the special election, the mayor’s vote would hold the same weight as that of the other four council members. Administrative privileges would be revoked from the mayor and granted to a city manager, whose appointment was discussed in an executive session. The council discussed holding off on a search for an administrative manager until the public has voted.
The special election would fall near the town’s general election in November. Griffin and Brock’s terms are set to continue into 2027.
Mayor Griffin expressed concern that the special election would cost the town a significant amount of money, but the cost was disputed by council members.
The State previously reported on disagreements city council members had with certain actions taken by Mayor Griffin, including the hiring of two new positions without council approval. The state Attorney General’s Office released an opinion siding with the mayor after the town asked for legal guidance.
Councilwoman Andrea Fripp said in April that the change relates to the town’s recent growth and its future role in the Midlands. On Tuesday night, she listed several grievances with the mayor and expressed the need to change the “one man show.”
Blythewood is poised to see an economic boom from the development of a $2 billion Scout Motors plant.
This story was originally published May 28, 2025 at 3:27 PM.
