59 Comments
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Joe Farmer's avatar

We appreciate you keeping the citizens informed. Only those who want to work in the shadows will attempt to discredit your voice. Stay true to yourself and keep fighting.

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Benton Blount's avatar

Thank you brother! What a fight it has proven to be!

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Audrey Pasin's avatar

Ronald Regan came to public attention as an actor...and was a damn good President of the United States! I'm good with your singer/songwriter/entertainer credentials and I love your thoughtful well-written newsletters, Benton! The kind of criticism you mention is a distraction. Folks should be much more troubled with the ethics breaches among the old-guard on council who promote and vote for FILOTS... particularly because they fail to report their potential conflicts of interest to the state's Ethics Commission. Whatever the "credentials" of such council members may be, they are ethically compromised and that needs to be placed in the public light.

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Benton Blount's avatar

I agree completely on Regan, the distraction, and conflicts of interest! Maybe that’s why they are spending so much time attacking my character since my “entertainer”status keeps any conflict of interest fairly low to nonexistent!:)

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Daughter of the Dirty South's avatar

You will never be on the same page as Ronald Reagan. He paid his taxes

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Connie Schmaltz's avatar

I too, am not currently in your district, Benton, but follow you and your dedication to your constituents. Your tireless work and communication are examples for all council members and politicians to admire and follow. Best wishes for a great holiday season with your family and a fantastic 2025!

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Benton Blount's avatar

Thank you so much, Connie! The same for you and your family!!!

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Rhonda tucker's avatar

You keep on doing what you’re doing. I think you speak for the majority of us that are tired of the way government operates.

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Louann Swink's avatar

Thank you for sending honest information. Everyone already knew the council had not been honest or legal about so many things. Also, individual council members should have been ousted for not following laws. For some reason, the people in their districts will continue to vote for them. They must not read, watch, or listen to news or just don't care. Thank you for all you do. Best of luck in your career and your work for the entire county! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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Frankie Kemp's avatar

Thank you so much for writing this newsletter and keeping constituents informed. I am in a different district but I greatly appreciate having a summary of what goes on in council meetings.

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Benton Blount's avatar

No problem at all! I actually spoke with two other Councilmen today who are wanting to start doing the same thing and we have found out that we can also collaborate on newsletters through this platform, so I’m hopeful that there will be much more engagement publicly between council and constituents in the months and years to come!

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Sharon Neild's avatar

Benton, you might be a musician but you are one articulate one. I for one am proud you are here even though you are not in my district! We may just have to move to your district!

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Benton Blount's avatar

Come on!:)

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George Fletcher's avatar

I like the newsletter, even when I disagree with some of your positions. Thanks for making the effort to communicate. Hope you and yours have a Merry Christmas.

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Judy H Hix's avatar

Thank you for keeping your constituents informed and up to date on issues concerning our county. Those that discredit you for being transparent obviously have something to hide. Shame on them!

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Patricia Cox's avatar

As far as I’m concerned, you are more than qualified to hold your position and the only council member that I am aware of that keeps his constituents up to date and informed of what the Council is doing. We appreciate you more than you know. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!

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Benton Blount's avatar

Well thank you Patricia! I appreciate you as well as the message! As far as the man behind the curtain…..I am ready to remove the curtain!;)

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LouAnn Wilson's avatar

Although I’m not in your district, I have been following you and getting your newsletters. I appreciate your honesty. It’s very refreshing to have someone who cares, and is looking out for us. And being an entertainer has no bearing on your ability to serve us. I have been a fan ever since AGT. I was pulling for you to win. You are an awesome representative for us. Thank you!

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David Greco's avatar

Benton.... A HUGE Thank You for Honesty... We back you 100%!!! It is very sad that folks have to throw stones when they disagree. Karma has a way of working... Hang in there...

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Janice's avatar

I totally appreciate you! (Musicians and other fine art artists are creative and deep thinkers!)

God bless you and your wonderful perseverance!

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Mary Horne's avatar

Thank you! I look forward to your newsletters. I’m in District 25, so sadly,nyou ar3 not my rep but I sure wish you were!

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Ann Hicks's avatar

Mr. Blount,

In the parlance of the 1970s "Keep On Truckin'"

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Michael Fisher's avatar

Your newsletter seems to be the ONLY source of information on the activities of the Greenville County Council, the sole legislative body that determines much of the direction of life of Greenville county citizens…clearly written and concise, you provide crucial insights into the machinations of what is happening behind closed doors…the council members alleged represent the voting contingency and your newsletters are the windows that provide the only transparencies that are often toted but infrequently practiced….keep them coming..and thank you!

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Benton Blount's avatar

It really does mean the world to know the newsletters are making a difference. Transparency shouldn’t be a buzzword—it should be a practice, and I’m glad to provide a window into what’s happening, but there is so much that it would take at LEAST 11 more newsletters to address a week! Wait…..I know a way to make that happen!:)

I think next years Council will be much more like minded when it comes to explaining what is going on with taxpayers money and the Government. I want to set a tone of transparency that lasts long after our service is completed! Thank you again for the message!

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