DARLINGTON, SC (WBTW) – Darlington City Council called a special meeting on Thursday afternoon. The agenda said the council would go into executive session to discuss “Personnel: Administration” and there would be a vote at the end.
“There’s all kinds of rumors about what it’s about, so no one really knows for sure what it’s about,” said Curtis Boyd who was one of almost 100 community members who packed the council chambers.
The meeting began with a debate among council members about why they were having an executive session.
“I even asked specifically, ‘What is the executive session about?’ and y’all would not give us this information,” said Councilman Bryant Gardner.
“That’s not true,” argued Councilwoman Carolyn Bruce. Bruce said she called the meeting to talk more about council’s last executive session, held July 11.
Once the council agreed to go into executive session, everyone else waited in the hallway and outside for nearly two hours. Many of them talked with friends and neighbors about questions they wanted to be answered.
“Why did it have to be private?” questioned Darlington resident, Cynthia Heath.
“If they had something going on that we needed to know about, we’re here to make a change,” added Boyd.
When council finally returned for the vote the residents were shocked when instead, council adjourned the meeting.
“That’s it?” one woman asked. “I don’t like to be used for three hours waiting to see and then they call the meeting to a close.”
Council is not required to explain what was discussed in executive session if there is no vote but people felt they deserved answers.
“I’m not pleased at all with this meeting tonight,” said Heath. “This was some shady, shady stuff in Darlington County tonight. Somebody didn’t do what they were supposed to do.”
Darlington Mayor Gloria C. Hines did not want to comment, but Councilwoman Elaine Reed said she was glad people came to show interest.