Before You Vote: What Blythewood Residents Need to Know About the Government Reform Referendum

Blythewood residents have two opportunities to learn more about the upcoming special election that could reshape how our town is governed. The Town of Blythewood, in partnership with the Municipal Association of South Carolina (MASC), is hosting public information sessions on this Monday, July 7 at 11:00 AM and next Monday, July 14 at 6:00 PM at 100 Alvina Hagood Circle, Blythewood, SC 29016. These meetings aim to explain the different roles and responsibilities of elected officials and staff under each form of government — Mayor-Council and Council-Manager — ahead of the July 29th referendum.

Whether you’re for the change, against it, or simply want more information, these sessions are where you can start getting answers. But showing up is just the first step. What really matters is the quality of the questions we ask. Because in moments like this, what we ask says a lot about what kind of town we want to be. The following questions should be asked — and this is the information you need to know about changing the form of government.

Suggested Questions for the MASC Election Info Meeting

1. Given that fewer than 4% of U.S. towns under 5,000 residents operate under a Council-Manager system, what evidence or data suggests that such a model is the best fit for a town the size and character of Blythewood?
2. If this change is supposed to reduce political infighting and increase transparency, how do you respond to concerns that an unelected manager creates less public accountability — not more — especially if residents can’t vote them out?
3. How would this structural change affect public engagement, particularly in communities where voters are accustomed to directly electing their mayor and holding that person accountable?
4. Can you clarify what happens to executive decision-making authority under a Council-Manager form? Who holds the pen on major decisions, and how can citizens challenge those decisions in real time?
5. What is the full cost—both direct and indirect—of hiring a town manager in a town our size? Beyond the salary, what are the hidden or long-term expenses (benefits, relocation, contract buyouts, legal protections, etc.) that residents should be aware of before voting on this change?
6. This change would create a high-paid position that answers only to the council. What safeguards are there to prevent this from becoming a revolving door of political favors or retaliatory firings every time council leadership shifts?
7. The mayor is elected by the people. The town manager would be hired behind closed doors. In what world is that more democratic or transparent?
8. Has the Town of Blythewood worked with MASC or any independent agency to commission a financial impact study comparing the current mayor-council system to the proposed council-manager structure? If not, how can this community be expected to make a fully informed financial decision?

In the end, this isn’t just a conversation about governance. It’s about the identity of our town—how decisions get made, who makes them, and whether the people of Blythewood still have a meaningful say in shaping our future.

The questions outlined here aren’t designed to stir controversy—they’re designed to bring clarity. They are the kinds of questions any informed, engaged citizen should ask before giving up direct democratic control in exchange for bureaucratic efficiency. Because once the structure shifts, returning to what we had may no longer be an option.

Ask boldly. Listen closely. And whatever decision you make—make it with eyes wide open.