Fiery public comments erupt at South Congaree town council meeting

In their first regular meeting since the May 14 vote to strip Mayor Cindy Campbell of her ability to preside over meetings, the small town of South Conagree’s town council conducted business in front of a packed house.

Seven locals provided comments or spoke during the hourlong meeting, which began with a public hearing centered around the town’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget was approved in its second reading by a 4-1 vote, with Campbell being the outlier.

Jerry Smith, a local and former town council member who served from 2012 to 2016, spoke during both portions of the meeting. Smith said that he’s frustrated with what he feels is a continued lack of response to public questioning.

“This was a totally one-sided meeting, I understand it’s public comments, but it should be public comments and discussion,” Smith said. “You send emails, they don’t answer emails.”

Smith said he supports Campbell and didn’t agree with the decision for Mayor Pro-Tempore Kitty Spires to begin presiding over council meetings.

“That’s just a slap in the face to the mayor,” Smith said. “If she [Kitty Spires] wants to be the mayor, she needs to run for the mayor.”

Local small business owner Laura Driscoll, who moved to South Congaree six years ago, said she was initially motivated to speak by difficulties renewing her business license. Driscoll said it took weeks of back-and-forth discussion to correct the situation after her renewal fee was doubled.

Driscoll said she felt discussion had become clouded by conflict on social media and that maintaining civility is key in improving relations between the town government and community forward.

“I really want us as a town to avoid the mob mentality,” Driscoll said. “That’s why I wanted to come and speak and ask that everybody just try to respect one another.”