And we have a New Council
Monday was a full and eventful day for the City of Easley. We swore in three new City Council members and an ECU Commissioner. I look forward to working with the new Council as we move forward together, committed to doing what is best for Easley and to listening to our citizens.
Mayor Pro Tempore Election
During the meeting, Resolution 2026-01 was presented to appoint Tom O’Shields as Mayor Pro Tempore. The language was correctly amended to reflect that this position is filled by nomination and election, not appointment. Following that correction, I was elected Mayor Pro Tempore.
I sincerely thank those in attendance who showed their support during the vote.
However, I must also address statements made by the mayor during the discussion, which I believe contained inaccurate and misleading information about me. Because these statements were made publicly, I believe it is important to correct the record.
Statements Made by the Mayor — and the Facts Because Facts Matter
Claim: I am currently under investigation.
This is false. I am not, nor have I ever been, under investigation. Approximately two years ago, a request was submitted to SLED regarding a matter involving former Councilmember Denise Davidson. That request stated I was a recipient of a city-owned document. I was not the individual who took the documents in question, and my attorney confirmed I was not subject to investigation. Ms. Davidson herself stated during her campaign that the matter was over and that there was no investigation.
Claim: I have unresolved ethics matters related to FOIA or public records.
This is also false. I have no ethics violations, no pending ethics complaints, and no unresolved ethics matters.
There was an incident involving a FOIA request seeking access to emails on my personal computer. FOIA compliance is a legal matter; not an ethics matter. Personal computers and personal email accounts are currently a slippery slope concerning FOIA.
For clarity: while traveling (I do not take my city-issued laptop with me), I responded from my personal email to a citizen who had emailed my city account asking about speed bumps. I provided information that is publicly available on the City of Easley website. No non-public city documents were involved.
Separately, due to repeated Google storage warnings indicating I would stop receiving emails, I deleted old emails from my personal account. Later, it became clear that the FOIA request was an attempt to obtain personal emails unrelated to city business and involving a private political organization. I did not possess any such emails.
Claim: I made a statement in 2024 about a private citizen that “fell under an applicable statute of limitations.”
This statement is unclear and requires explanation. In 2024, I made comments regarding a private citizen who was being considered for appointment to the Planning Commission. I stated that another candidate was better suited and raised concerns about character based on information I had heard. That was the extent of my remarks.
Claim: I have a pattern of criticizing municipal employees.
I have raised concerns when ordinances were not being followed or when professionalism was lacking. Ensuring compliance with ordinances is a core responsibility of city leadership. State law places responsibility on the mayor to ensure ordinances are faithfully executed (S.C. Code § 5-9-30).
I also communicated concerns to the City Administrator regarding an incident in which an employee was reportedly laughing while a citizen was visibly distressed. Raising concerns about professionalism and ordinance compliance is not inappropriate; it is part of my job.
I have also spoke openly about:
- The budget process
- The sale of city property below market value
- The West End Hall transaction, which was known to all Council members except Councilmember Justin Alexander and myself
These issues were raised in work sessions and regular Council meetings. Transparency, fiscal responsibility, professionalism, and adherence to ordinances matter. That is why I was elected.
I have formally requested documentation supporting the allegations made against me. Time will tell whether that documentation exists.
Other Council Actions
- Ordinance 2025-15 (Rezoning, Hamilton Street):
I voted YES to deny. This area has long-standing flooding issues that have not been adequately addressed. Until drainage concerns are resolved, adding housing is not prudent. The ordinance did not pass. - Ordinance 2025-16 (Chickens for Educational and Nonprofit Use):
I voted YES. This ordinance allows limited, permitted use of hens by nonprofit, educational, and therapeutic organizations, subject to annual approval. - Ordinances 2026-01, 2026-02, and 2026-03 (Annexation and Rezoning):
I voted NO. While presented as a property swap, this proposal would ultimately result in high-density apartment development. Until infrastructure, particularly roads, can handle existing and future traffic demands, continued approval of dense development is irresponsible. Ordinances 2026-04 and 2026-05 were withdrawn as a result. - Ordinance 2026-06:
I voted YES. This ordinance corrected scrivener’s errors, updated several sections, corrected a table, and was amended to include a Revision History section for transparency. - Ordinance 2026-07:
I voted YES. This ordinance incorporated South Carolina Opioid Recovery Funds into the budget to support office space and personnel.
An executive session was also held regarding Project X and potential litigation.
As always, I appreciate the engagement of our citizens and remain committed to transparency, accountability, and doing what is best for Easley.