BLYTHEWOOD – The Town of Blythewood’s event venue, Doko Manor, struggles financially, and town hall records indicate that comping and discounting rental rates for the facility may be contributing to that struggle.
In a listing of Manor event bookings for the month of May, 2025, obtained by The Voice, one entry states: “The Manor Reserved – Council Man (sic) Pugh Event For His Mom” on 5/17/2025. The space for the deposit and payment are left blank. The words ‘Mayor-Pugh’ are noted next to the listing. Pugh, a Richland County Council member, represents a large portion of Blythewood.
In a phone interview The Voice conducted with Pugh on Tuesday morning, July 15, he acknowledged the event held at the Manor, saying it was for his mother-in-law, not his mom, but said he was not comped for it. He told The Voice that it should have been charged. When asked if he paid for the event, he said his wife took care of the payment, but offered no other details. The charge for renting the Manor on a Sunday (May 17) is listed in the rate schedule as $3,700 – with a discount if the reservation is made within 30 days of the event.
Asked about the cost of the venue, Pugh ended the conversation, saying he would call right back. As of press time Wednesday afternoon, he had not returned the call or otherwise communicated with The Voice.
Mayor Sloan Griffin is the authority over the day-to-day operations of the Manor and all other departments in the town government, but it is council (including the mayor) who vote to set the rental fee schedule for The Manor.
Mayor Pro Tem Donald Brock said council has not authorized anyone to comp or reduce fees for the Manor, and that it should not be happening.
While HOA’s inside the town limits are allowed to use the Manor at no charge for their annual meetings, and other government entities are sometimes allowed to use it free for meetings and updates benefiting the Town of Blythewood, the Town, itself, pays $24,000 annually to use the Manor for official town meetings. All other individuals and organizations should be charged according to the schedule of fees authorized by council, Brock said.
“If comping is occurring,” said Councilman Rich McKenrick, “how widespread is the practice? And who is authorizing it? We should all be working together to make the Manor profitable or to at least break even – not drain any of its potential income with comps and reduced rates for friends and family. Every little bit comped hurts the bottom line.”
The newspaper is looking into the possibility that numerous events are being comped to some extent, and has submitted a Freedom of Information request for additional information from Town Hall regarding Manor bookings, deposits, payments, events, etc.
The Voice also emailed Griffin on Tuesday afternoon, asking him to help clarify questions regarding payment for Pugh’s event held on May 17, 2025. Shortly before The Voice went to press on Wednesday afternoon, Griffin responded in an email that included the following statement, “I no longer conduct phone interviews, but I’d be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have via email or in person once I return to the office on Monday.”
