An Unnecessary Hill that I am Prepared to Die on

Councilman Blount’s Emergency Newsletter 1-6-25

I apologize for filling your inbox once again after yesterday’s newsletter, but I feel this message is of critical importance. As we approach the nomination and vote for Chairman of Greenville County Council on Tuesday, I want to ensure as many people as possible hear about this matter ahead of time. This newsletter will also be shared on all my social media platforms to promote additional transparency.

I hope this message finds you well. As always, I am writing to you directly because I believe in full transparency and in hearing from the people I am privileged to serve. Today, I want to address a matter that has unfortunately become a distraction: County Council rules and the position of Chairman Pro Tempore. This role has been a part of our council’s history for decades, but it has now been pulled into unnecessary political gamesmanship.

What is Chairman Pro Tempore?

The Chairman Pro Tempore is a traditional position, not an elected one. Historically, it has always been filled by the councilmember with the longest consecutive years of service. This ensures that the person serving in the role is one with significant experience and institutional knowledge, not someone chosen based on short-term political agendas.

The role is simple: the Chairman Pro Tempore steps in to preside over a meeting only if both the Chairman and Vice Chairman are absent. This means that for the Pro Tempore to ever run a meeting, two specific conditions must occur:

1. The Chairman must be absent.

2. The Vice Chairman must also be absent at the same time.

In my first two years on council, I have not missed a single meeting. The likelihood of a Chairman Pro Tempore needing to preside over a meeting during my potential tenure as Chairman is nearly zero.

Why I Will Not Change this Rule

There is now a push by some, including members of my own party, to abandon tradition and turn this into an elected position or to do away with the title in general. Changing the rules simply because of who might hold the seat for the next two years is shortsighted and undermines the very foundation of this position. It sets a dangerous precedent that political convenience can override tradition and principle.

That’s not how leadership should work.

And let’s not miss the irony—given my current understanding, the person who would occupy the Pro Tempore seat under the current rules is also a Republican. This push to change the rules isn’t about ideology; it’s about power, plain and simple.

Leadership is About Principles, Not Politics

From the day I took office, I have refused to play petty political games. My goal has always been to serve the people of Greenville County with integrity, and that means standing by my principles even when it’s inconvenient to some.

The Pro Tempore position has been filled by the longest-serving councilmember for decades because it is a role rooted in experience, not politics. To dismantle this longstanding tradition over two years of potential service would not only be unnecessary but also harmful to the integrity of our council.

Transparency and Accountability

If I am elected Chairman, you can expect meaningful changes to how our council operates by enhancing rules to promote transparency and accountability. However, one thing I will not do is dismantle the Pro Tempore position as it has always existed.

If that means I am not the right person for the role, so be it. I will gladly continue serving simply as your councilman. As the great philosopher Aaron Tippin said, “You’ve got to stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything.”

Calling for Public Feedback

It is unfortunate that my potential candidacy for Chairman has been overshadowed by this issue when we should be focusing on the important matters facing Greenville County, so I want to hear from you—the citizens who are the true leaders of this county.

Do you believe we should preserve the integrity of this historic position? Or should we allow short-term political convenience to dictate long-term decisions?

I’m addressing this publicly now because I want to get ahead of any misinformation suggesting this role has ever been a voted position. That is simply not true!

I encourage you to share your thoughts with me. Your feedback matters, and I want to ensure that my decisions reflect the will of the people I serve.

Thank you for your time, trust, and input. It is an honor to serve you.