Who will be elected to Blythewood town council? Here’s where the candidates stand
Residents of Blythewood will soon go to polls to elect town council members.
Blythewood Town Council is a nonpartisan body consisting of four council members and a mayor. Three candidates, including an incumbent, are running for two council member positions.
The election is Nov. 2. The State asked all three candidates what they would do if elected to Blythewood town council.
SLOAN J. GRIFFIN III
Age: 35
Occupation: Emergency manager
Education: Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Management (Magna Cum Laude)
Political or civic experience: Two years as a council member, two years as a planning commissioner, 15 years in other civic capacities.
Campaign website: www.SloanGriffin.org
Why are you running for this office?
I’m seeking reelection to continue giving the citizens of Blythewood a voice on town council that truly cares, listens and acts on their behalf. To continue growing our relationships with county, state and federal elected officials to assist Blythewood with its infrastructure needs like roads, parks and etc. I believe that by keeping God number one, we are truly able the move Blythewood forward together!
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year in office?
If reelected I would continue the great work of moving the following priorities forward: Penny tax projects to improve our roads and traffic issues in town. Infrastructure and security improvements to Doko Meadows Park. Enhancing public Safety. Relationship enhancements with county council, Richland County parks and recreation, State House and federal elected officials. Annexation of the entire 29016 zip code. And continuing to be the voice for the people that listens and acts!
What unique skills or life perspective would you bring to city governance?
For the past two years I’ve served the residents of the Town of Blythewood humbly. I have a track record of working for the people and standing up to demand answers for them. Also keeping the safety of all residents in the forefront by using the knowledge and skills obtained from my 15 plus years in public safety experience.
What current practice policy of the city would you preserve or enhance? Why?
We now have a new policy to address citizens that desire to become citizens of the Town of Blythewood, however it lacks marketing. I believe it’s just as important to allow other citizens of the Blythewood zip code (29016) who also eat, shop and contribute to our economy in town to have a voice in local government.
ROXANN HENAGAN
Age: 52
Occupation: Education advocate
Education: 10 plus years of combined training and education at Trinity Bible College, Military (Army), UC Davis Medical Center, Consumnes River College, Fayetteville College, Jefferson, Western Career MA Training.
Political or civic experience: Started with Ronald Reagan, President Barack Obama and Biden/Harris Administration, Jesse Jackson Rainbow Coalition to Donald Trump to Senators to serving both camps and current presidents. (When asked to clarify her statement, Henagan said she volunteered for the campaigns she listed.)
Campaign website: twitter.com/HenaganRoxann
Why are you running for this office?
To bring equality and stability for our women and youth for our future endeavors and help replenish those we lost to COVID-19.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year in office?
Stability to Blythewood with inclusion and equality for all. Prepare self-sufficient water supply building project fund for Town of Blythewood, South Carolina, and residents!
What unique skills or life perspective would you bring to city governance?
Tenacity and consistency with continued perseverance.
What current practice policy of the city would you preserve or enhance? Why?
Enhance water supply. We need it here in Blythewood.
RICH MCKENRICK
Age: 55
Occupation: General manager
Education: Undergraduate
Political or civic experience: In 2019, Mayor Ross appointed me to serve on the Town of Blythewood Planning Commission, where I am now serving as chairman. In 2020, I was asked to serve on the Blythewood Coronavirus Task Force. Earlier this year I was appointed by the Blythewood Town Council to serve on the Richland County Transportation Penny Advisory Committee (TPAC). I was also elected to serve on the Ashley Oaks Swim Club & Homeowners Association Board, where I am currently serving as president.
Campaign website: facebook.com/richfortowncouncil
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for town council to truly be a voice for our community and to keep Blythewood moving forward, together. I believe to achieve this goal, we should support small and local businesses to the fullest extent, invest in public spaces, and guide strategic growth and development.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year in office?
I strongly support working with our Richland County Council representatives in order to respond to Blythewood’s continued growth, by addressing our long overlooked recreational needs. Take care of what we have. Our town council needs to realize the opportunities we have before us and strive to bring projects such as Doko Meadows to completion per the original vision, while meticulously maintaining what we already have. I would oppose any additional tax or town debt in order to accomplish what we are already paying for through our Richland County taxes.
What unique skills or life perspective would you bring to city governance?
I strongly believe in spending wisely and treating others’ funds as if they were my own. I believe in less government oversight. I believe in working cooperatively to further our town in a direction consistent with the constituent’s desires. I believe in transparency and honesty at every level of government, and treating each other as equals. While I have worked tirelessly on other campaigns, this is the first time my name will be on a ballot. It is both humbling and surreal.
What current practice or policy of the city would you preserve or enhance? Why?
No response