Four candidates file for two Blythewood council seats

BLYTHEWOOD – Four town residents have filed to run for two at-large seats on town council in the upcoming Nov. 2 municipal elections. The filing period ended Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Filing to run for the four-year term on council are: incumbents Larry Griffin and Sloan Griffin, Planning Commission Chairman Rich McKenrick and Cobblestone Park resident Roxann Henagan.

Larry D. Griffin, 67, a resident of Langford Road, was first elected to town council in 2015 to fill the remaining two years of Councilman Bob Massa’s four-year term after Massa moved away. Griffin was then elected to a full four-year term in 2017. He is the president of the Bethel-Hanberry Athletic Alumni Association and owns GEM Financial Resources.

Sloan J. Griffin, III, 35, a resident of Cobblestone Park, was first elected to council in February, 2020, to fill the remaining two years of a four-year term vacated by Brian Franklin after he was elected mayor. Griffin has served on the town’s planning commission and is now seeking his first full four-year term on council. He is the Emergency Manager for SCDOT.

Roxann Henagan, 52, a resident of Cobblestone Park, is making her first run at public office. Henagan is an author and describes herself as one who provides advocacy support for education.

Rich McKenrich, 55, is a resident of Ashley Oaks neighborhood, and is seeking his first term on town council. He has served on the town’ planning commission for three years and is currently the chairman of the planning commission, is the Blythewood appointee to the TPAC Committee and serves as the HOA president for Ashley Oaks phases 4-7.  He works in new construction sales.

The Voice will publish campaign statements from each candidate in a coming issue.

Register to Vote

The last day to register to vote in person for this election is Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 by 12 noon. Voter registration by mail must be postmarked no later than Monday Oct. 4, 2021. Voter Registration on line, fax or email must be entered no later than Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021 at 11:59 pm. To register to vote or to obtain absentee ballots, contact the Richland County Voter Registration Office, 2020 Hampton Street, Columbia, S.C. Absentee ballots may be requested by calling the Voter Registration Office at 576-2240. In-Person absentee voting will begin Monday, Oct. 4, 2021 at 2020 Hampton Street.

The Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. The polling place for all precincts in this election–Blythewood 1, Blythewood 2, Blythewood 3, Longcreek, and Ridgeway (Fairfield County)—is:

Blythewood Park

126 Boney Road

Blythewood, SC 29016

The results of the election shall be determined according to the plurality method.  

At 9 a.m. on Election Day, the absentee ballot return envelopes will be examined at the Richland County Voter Registration and Elections office, 2020 Hampton Street, Columbia.

The Richland County Board of Elections and Voter Registration will hold a hearing on Thursday, Nov. 4, at 9 a.m. at 2020 Hampton Street, Columbia to determine the validity of ballots challenged, if any, in this election.