Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Governance Conflict topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Blythewood council authorizes civil action against Mayor Sloan Griffin over Executive Order No. 3
Summary
After an executive session on legal advice, the Blythewood Town Council voted to authorize the town attorney to sue Mayor Sloan Griffin over Executive Order Number Three (Jan. 31, 2025); the decision passed 4-1, and the mayor refused to rescind the order.
BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. — The Blythewood Town Council on Feb. 3 authorized the town attorney to initiate a civil action seeking declaratory and injunctive relief against Mayor Sloan Griffin over Executive Order Number Three, dated Jan. 31, 2025.
The council met in executive session under South Carolina Code Section 30-4-70 for attorney-client legal advice before reconvening and taking votes. In the first authorization vote the motion to pursue litigation, moved by Councilman R. McKenrick and seconded by Councilwoman A. Fripp, passed 4-1 (Councilwoman E. Page: Yes; Councilman D. Brock: Yes; Councilwoman A. Fripp: Yes; Councilman R. McKenrick: Yes; Mayor Sloan Griffin: No). A subsequent motion to reconsider the action passed 3-2, and a final motion to reaffirm the authorization again passed 4-1.
Councilwoman A. Fripp said the mayor's order showed a pattern of "disregarding Council authority," accusing the mayor of making hiring decisions without council consultation and bypassing budgetary constraints; she argued legal action was necessary to ensure accountability. Mayor Sloan Griffin defended the order, saying the town needed the positions to manage growth and that his hiring decisions were "based on the best interests of the Town." He declined to rescind the order unconditionally.
The motion authorized the town attorney to engage outside counsel to represent the Town and/or council members in their official capacity in the prosecution of the civil action. Town Attorney Pete Balthazor and Town Administrator Daniel Stines participated in the executive-session discussion and were designated to support the council's legal direction.
Public commenters at the meeting split in their responses. Bobby Young criticized how executive-session topics were discussed publicly, raised questions she said were unresolved about the whereabouts of $700,000 in town funds, and urged that public input should occur before, not after, decisions. Former Mayor Keith Bailey said state statute limits council input to the town administrator, attorney and clerk, argued the mayor has authority over other hires, and cautioned that council interference could hinder development. Marlon Hines urged officials to settle internal disputes privately and warned that continued public conflict could harm the town's reputation.
No formal settlement or rescission of Executive Order Number Three was reached at the meeting. The council reaffirmed its authorization for legal action; the town attorney is authorized to proceed and to retain outside counsel. The council adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
