BLYTHEWOOD – With only hours left to file for elective office in the upcoming Nov. 3 municipal elections, only five candidates had filed for four seats at press time Wednesday morning.
Mayor J. Michael Ross has filed to run for a second term as mayor. Current Councilman Eddie Baughman and Malcolm Gordge, who is Chairman of the Planning Commission, have filed to run for the two open four-year terms on Town Council. Baughman is seeking a second term. Current Councilman Bob Mangone has not filed for a second term. He told The Voice in a phone conversation last week that he had not yet decided if he will seek re-election.
Two candidates have filed for the two years left on a four-year term vacated by former Councilman Bob Massa, who resigned in June. One of those, a newcomer to the community, Michelle Kiedrowski, told The Voice in a phone interview that while she has not attended any town government meetings or had time to learn about the town’s issues, she is running because she feels all the people in the town need to be well represented.
Blythewood native Larry D. Griffin has also filed for the two-year term. Griffin is a life-long Blythewood resident and is the nephew of the late Elizabeth Hagler who served two terms on Town Council before her retirement from public office in 2008. Griffin is founder and president of the Bethel-Hanberry Athletic Alumni Association.
Filing closed at 5 p.m., Wednesday.
Only residents of the Town who are registered by Oct. 3 are eligible to vote in the Nov. 3 election. To register, contact Richland County Board of Voter Registration at 803-576-2240 or go to www.richlandonline.com. For more information, call Town Clerk Melissa Coward at Town Hall, 754-0501.
