Griffin, Gordge Join Council

Larry Griffin, Eddie Baughman and Malcolm Gordge came out on top in Tuesday’s municipal elections in Blythewood. (Barbara Ball)

BLYTHEWOOD (Nov. 3, 2015) – Even though the balance of power was at stake in the Blythewood municipal elections Tuesday evening, not much change in policy or vision is expected on the five-member Town Council. During a candidate forum, the candidates generally agreed that problems resulting from growth – traffic, rezoning and the need for better infrastructure – are the hot button issues facing the town.

Incumbent Eddie Baughman and the Town’s Planning Commission Chairman, Malcolm Gordge, came away with victories over newcomers to Blythewood politics, Bryan Franklin and Robert Rue, for the two four-year terms. Blythewood native Larry D. ‘Griff’ Griffin, in his first run for office, was the clear winner over Blythewood newcomer Michelle Kiedrowski for the two-year, unfinished term of Bob Massa who moved out of the area last June.

Griffin’s election held historical significance as he followed in the footsteps of his late aunt, Elizabeth Hagler, who served two terms on Council from 1996-2004 as the first African-American elected to public office in Blythewood.

With a low turnout of approximately 16 percent, the winning candidates had their home precincts to thank for putting them over the top. Baughman, who lives in the Lake Ashley area, drew 84 votes or almost half his total 178 votes from Blythewood Precinct 2 where residents of the Lake Ashley area vote. Griffin, who lives on Langford Road, but whose family roots run deep in the Boney Road/Lake Ashley area, took 87 votes in Blythewood Precinct 2. Gordge, who is secretary of the Ashley Oaks neighborhood, received 85 votes, the lion’s share of the 193 votes cast in that area’s Blythewood Precinct 3.

While 304 voters signed in to vote, only 302 votes registered. Election officials said the discrepancy will be accounted for before Thursday when the election is certified.

Baughman, Griffin and Gordge will be sworn into office at the regular Nov. 30 Town Council meeting that will be held at The Manor.