Simpsonville mayor ejects councilwoman from meeting
“I need her out.”
That was the order given by Simpsonville Mayor Janice Curtis to a security officer for the removal of Councilwoman Sylvia Lockaby from Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.
It was the second City Council meeting led by Curtis, who defeated Lockaby in last fall’s election.
And Lockaby’s ejection came after Curtis warned Councilman Taylor Graham that she could have him removed from the meeting.
Lockaby’s dismissal came in the middle of a discussion about a grant to help fund installation of a new curb on Aster Drive.
Lockaby asked City Administrator David Dyrhaug, “Are we opening a can of worms when we do this?”
Dyrhaug said repairs were needed on Aster Drive because stormwater comes off the road and onto private properties. Lockaby said there are stormwater issues all over the city.
Curtis told Lockaby that she was arguing the point and that the discussion was a time for questions, not arguments.
Lockaby claimed she wasn’t arguing, just stating a fact about stormwater issues. Curtis then told Lockaby to ask City Attorney David Holmes about it. Lockaby replied that she was asking Dyrhaug and had not gotten to Holmes yet.
“OK, that’s fine. Mr. Holmes, could you,” Curtis said before Lockaby interjected.
“I’m not finished,” Lockaby said.
“You are now, thank you,” Curtis replied.
As Lockaby continued to speak, Curtis pounded her gavel and commanded “order” four times.
“Are you going to threaten to throw me out, too?” Lockaby asked Curtis.
“Keep it up and you’ll find out,” Curtis replied.
“I guess I will,” Lockaby said.
Curtis asked Holmes to answer Lockaby’s question. Lockaby said Holmes should answer Curtis’ question because Lockaby had not asked him one.
Curtis then asked a police officer working security to escort Lockaby out and also ordered a 5-minute recess.
Earlier in the meeting, during a time designated for comments by council members, Graham had two items on the agenda as did Councilman Matthew Gooch. After those items were presented, Graham wanted to make another comment but was denied by Curtis, who said things on the agenda would not be discussed.
Graham said nothing he had to present was in the form of a motion. It was to share information which he claimed was allowed under council’s current rules. Graham motioned for an appeal, which failed to pass by a 5-2 vote.
While Graham and Gooch were the only council members with items on the agenda for comments, Curtis asked every other member if they had comments. No one did, except Lockaby.
“I would like to know why I can comment but Mr. Graham cannot,” Lockaby said.
“He’s already had his comments, thank you,” Curtis replied.
“He didn’t get finished,” Lockaby said.
“He is finished,” Curtis replied. “I ruled that he’s finished.”
Before Lockaby was escorted out, there was discussion on allowing a new electronic sign at Simpsonville Elementary School. Graham thanked school representatives for coming to the meeting and for continuing to push for the sign.
Curtis struck her gavel and told Graham to stop speaking to the audience instead of discussing the matter. As Graham continued and finished his statement, Curtis told Graham that if she had to warn him again, he would be removed from the meeting.