Easter in Greenville County

Chairman Blount’s Newsletter 4-20-25

Apr 20, 2025

Today is Easter Sunday—a day that holds profound meaning for many of us, and one that I believe offers a message of hope that can speak to every heart, no matter where you come from or what you believe.

As a follower of Christ, Easter isn’t just another holiday for me—it’s everything. It’s the celebration of a risen Savior, the fulfillment of a promise, and the undeniable reminder that light does break through the darkness. Jesus conquered the grave, and in doing so, gave us the ultimate gift: redemption, forgiveness, and eternal hope.

But even for those who may not share that same faith, Easter still carries a powerful message—one of renewal, restoration, and second chances. It reminds us that broken things can be made whole again. That after the longest winters, spring always returns. That no matter how dark the night, morning will come.

In public service, I often see both the best and the most difficult sides of life in our community. I’ve seen neighbors come together in powerful ways, and I’ve seen people hurt each other over differences that shouldn’t divide us. But if Easter teaches us anything, it’s that love is stronger than hate, that humility is stronger than pride, and that grace—when we choose to give it—can heal what bitterness never will.

So today, as we gather with family, attend church, or simply enjoy a moment of stillness, my prayer is that we all find space in our hearts for gratitude, reflection, and maybe even reconciliation. Whether you’re celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ or just embracing the spirit of the season, I hope this day stirs something good in you.

Let it be a reminder that every day is a new opportunity. To rebuild what’s broken. To forgive. To lead with courage. To serve one another with compassion and integrity.

From my family to yours—Happy Easter. He is risen, and with Him, so is our hope.

This Weeks Greenville County Meetings

Finance Committee

Date: Monday, April 22, 2025

Time: 5:00 PM

Location: County Square, Conference Room D

View Agenda & Details

Planning Commission

Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2025

Time: 4:30 PM

Location: County Square, Conference Room D

View Agenda & Details

Full county meeting calendar: greenvillecounty.org/apps/CalendarGC/CountyCouncil.aspx

In Memory of Hans Jaiden Thompson: A Community’s Grief and One Man’s Stand Against Violence

Today, I want to take a moment to speak not as Chairman, but as a father, a neighbor, and a fellow member of this grieving community.

This past week, District 19 suffered a tragic loss that no family should ever have to endure. Hans Jaiden Thompson, a 16-year-old, was fatally shot in the parking lot of St. Mark United Methodist Church. Though first responders rushed him to Prisma Greenville Memorial Hospital, Hans passed away that evening, leaving behind a family, a church, and a community shaken to its core.

There are no words that can fully heal the pain of losing a child. But I want Hans’s family to know that they are not alone in their sorrow. On behalf of District 19 and the broader Greenville County community, I offer our deepest condolences. We are mourning with you, praying for you, and standing ready to support you in every way possible.

In the midst of this tragedy, one man stepped forward to lead—not because he was asked, not because it was his district, but because he knew it was right.

Jack Logan, founder of Put Down the Guns Now Young People, has spent over a decade working to stop gun violence in South Carolina. Many know him as an advocate, a mentor, and a public figure. But this week, he was something more—he was a pastor, a comforter, and a bridge between heartbreak and healing.

Jack administered the funeral for Hans Jaiden Thompson, personally ministering to the family, overseeing the service, and organizing a candlelight vigil that gave our community a chance to gather, grieve, and honor this young life. He did all of this not for recognition, but because that’s who he is. That’s what he does.

Though he doesn’t live in District 19, Jack has been a blessing to our district in a way that words can barely capture. His nonprofit has distributed thousands of gun locks, hosted educational events, and stood on the front lines where policy and compassion meet. He shows up when others stay silent. He preaches responsibility while offering redemption. And above all, he never stops fighting to keep our young people alive.

In a time when public outrage often fades quickly, Jack remains—steadfast, servant-hearted, and unwavering in his mission.

A Community That Shows Up: Buxton Tax District Meeting Recap

This past week, we witnessed something powerful in the Buxton community—a full house, a re-energized spirit of civic engagement, and neighbors coming together to tackle real issues. For the first time in over a year, the Buxton Tax District held a public meeting, and the turnout exceeded expectations. The energy in the room made one thing clear: this community is awake, involved, and ready to lead.

A huge thank-you goes to Hampton Park Baptist Church for generously opening their fellowship hall for the event. It was the perfect venue for what turned out to be one of the most productive community meetings we’ve seen in a long time.

To understand the significance of this gathering, it helps to know what the Buxton Tax District actually is. This district was created to give residents a more direct hand in shaping local infrastructure, beautification efforts, and quality of life services—like sanitation and public space enhancements—within their defined area. It’s a mechanism that gives neighborhoods a real voice, especially in places where county resources may not stretch far enough on their own.

Congratulations are in order for Savannah Porter, who did a fantastic job running the meeting with clarity and command. She, along with Ken McIntyre, who was also in attendance, were recently appointed to the Buxton Tax District Board following County Council nominations. Their leadership is already making a difference.

The evening covered a broad range of pressing topics: road paving, zoning, parks, future development, the impact of growth, homelessness, and even the district’s unique underground power lines—an uncommon feature in Greenville County.

What stood out most wasn’t just the wide range of topics—it was the way the community handled them. Residents asked thoughtful, informed questions, and in many cases, they answered each other. One particularly insightful exchange involved a proposed development of 44 homes in an R-15 zoned area. A local Realtor quickly pulled up the proposal. Another resident verified that it met all current zoning regulations. The community compared this to a prior rezoning attempt that had failed, and through respectful dialogue, they began to work through what could be done differently this time. I offered to reach out directly to the developer to see if any additional steps could be taken to address neighborhood concerns.

There was also an engaging and informative discussion about traffic calming—everything from speed humps, bumps, and circles to flashing speed signs—and the unintended consequences these tools might have on emergency response times. The dialogue was practical, not just theoretical.

One issue that sparked passionate unity was the future of Greater Greenville Sanitation in the district. Every person in the room supported keeping this vital service, and there was clear frustration that its continuation had even come into question. That’s what a meeting like this is for—to clear the air, surface concerns, and chart a course forward based on shared values.

Equally impressive was how quickly the group grasped the often confusing distinction between state-maintained vs. county-maintained roads—a critical piece in understanding how and where change can happen. Instead of simply airing complaints, residents left the meeting with a deeper understanding of how to get things done.

What we saw in Buxton was more than a meeting—it was a masterclass in grassroots governance. Neighbors identified issues, shared knowledge, and worked toward solutions. The conversation could’ve gone on for hours, and honestly, it probably will. Because this meeting was just the beginning. The momentum is there. The desire to guide growth in a way that reflects community values, not just developer profits, is real.

And if this meeting was any indication, Buxton is ready to lead by example!

Why I Voted No — And Why That Doesn’t Make Me “Anti-2A”

This past week, an issue came before Greenville County Council that should’ve sparked thoughtful discussion and responsible action. Instead, it turned into a public spectacle fueled by misleading accusations and political grandstanding. So I want to take a moment to speak directly to you—not as a politician, but as someone who takes the responsibility of public service seriously.

Let’s get something out of the way upfront: I am and always have been a firm believer in the Second Amendment. That’s not a talking point for me—it’s a deeply held conviction. So when a fellow councilmember publicly accused me of being “anti-2A” for doing my job as Chairman, it crossed a line. Not just politically—but ethically.

The ordinance in question was introduced with a lot of patriotic flair. It dealt with firearm signage and was pitched as a bold defense of gun rights. But once we got past the press-ready soundbites, it became clear that the language was confusing, legally questionable, and—within minutes—had to be significantly amended just to stay afloat.

READ THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE: HERE

Let that sink in: we were asked to vote on an ordinance that wasn’t finalized, with major questions still unanswered. Some councilmembers read it one way. Others read it differently. Our legal staff was split. And the real kicker? The County Attorney expressed serious concerns that parts of it might violate state law.

That’s not just a procedural hiccup—that’s a warning light flashing on the dashboard.

As Chairman, my job is to ensure that both Council and the public have clarity before a vote is taken. So I did what any responsible leader should do: I suggested we pause and request an opinion from the South Carolina Attorney General before moving forward. That way, we’d know for certain whether what we were passing was lawful—and the public would know too.

That suggestion was refused.

So I voted no.

Not because I’m against the Second Amendment. But because I’m for transparency. For legal clarity. For doing things the right way—even if it’s not the fastest or flashiest.

But rather than accept a difference of opinion, the sponsoring councilman went straight to social media, launching a campaign to publicly shame me and the Vice Chairman. He’s called us “anti-2A” and “uneducated,” all while encouraging his followers to turn up the heat—not just on our votes, but on our character.

And it hasn’t stopped there. Since the vote, some councilmembers have even come to our social media pages and begun picking fights with us or our constituents—many of whom simply agreed that pausing for legal review was the right call. Not just a reply here or there, but a spam of replies (at least a dozen). That’s not how elected officials should act. It creates a toxic environment, pits neighbor against neighbor, and undermines the very public trust we claim to value.

Despite how many times he mentioned me by name, I have always tried not to name colleagues by name, out of respect for them—even if they have none for me. Having said that, I don’t think it will take much of an investigation for most reading this to know who the person is.

This isn’t just about one ordinance anymore. It’s about how we govern.

If you’re part of a council that claims to stand for transparency and accountability, but then pushes through a legally questionable ordinance without fully understanding it—that’s not leadership. That’s hypocrisy.

And if you’re willing to falsely label someone as anti-American just to avoid answering tough questions, you’re not defending liberty—you’re exploiting it.

Here’s what I plan to do next: If reconsideration is brought forward, I’ll support it—with a condition. I will propose an amendment requiring that if the ordinance passes, Council immediately requests a formal opinion from the Attorney General. If that opinion says the ordinance is unlawful, then it automatically becomes null and void.

Here is the amendment I will ask council to include should a reconsideration vote take place:

That’s not obstruction. That’s called responsibility.

If the sponsoring councilman argues that amendment, it raises a real question: what is he so afraid the Attorney General might say?

This entire situation is a perfect example of what’s broken in politics today—not just in Greenville County, but all across the country. Leaders using fear and outrage to silence dissent. Turning honest disagreements into public smear campaigns. Trading integrity for headlines.

At this point, I should probably make this my next tattoo: “I DON’T PLAY GAMES”

I won’t be bullied. I won’t be baited. And I certainly won’t apologize for demanding that we do things the right way.

To my constituents—and to every resident of Greenville County—you deserve more than slogans. You deserve leadership that puts facts before fear and principles before politics.

This wasn’t about gun rights. It was about governance. And I stand by my vote!

I am traveling to visit my mother in NC this Easter Holiday, so sorry for the shorter than normal newsletter. Whatever you are doing and wherever you are, here’s to hopefully another prosperous and blessed week!

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