City Council holds first meeting of 2024

New councilmembers, mayor sworn into office

Simpsonville, S.C. — Three newly-elected councilmembers and Mayor Paul Shewmaker were sworn into office on Tuesday prior to the inaugural Simpsonville City Council meeting of 2024.

Each elected to their first term on City Council in November, Councilmember Chad O'Rear of Ward I, Councilmember Shannon Williams of Ward III and Councilmember Tim Pinkerton of Ward V took their oaths of office in the presence of their fellow councilmembers, City staff, the media and friends and family on Jan. 9. While O'Rear, Pinkerton and Williams's terms in office officially began Jan. 1, the swearing-in ceremony is a sacred gathering that showcases the peaceful transfer of power enshrined in the U.S. Constitution for federal, state and local offices.

With a few minutes to spare before assuming his role as chairman of the scheduled Council meeting, Mayor Paul Shewmaker took the oath of office to start his second term in office after having won re-election in November. Mayor Shewmaker's second term officially began Jan. 1 after having served his first term Jan. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2023.

After a couple of group photos, the three new councilmembers joined Councilmember Aaron Rupe of Ward II, Councilmember Sherry Roche of Ward IV and Councilmember Lou Hutchings of Ward VI behind the dais with Mayor Shewmaker at center. The elected officials of the City of Simpsonville for the first time in 2024 answered the roll call, recited the Pledge of Allegiance and approved the previous business meeting minutes.

Following the agenda items that City Council takes up every meeting, Council considered the routine yet critical agenda item "Election of Mayor Pro Tempore." The Simpsonville Code of Ordinances mandates that each newly constituted council following a general election must in the first meeting of the following year elect for a term of two years a new mayor pro tempore, a role that exercises the duties of the mayor in the absence, disability or disqualification of the mayor.

With a nomination by Hutchings and second by Mayor Shewmaker and subsequent unanimous vote by Council, Roche was elected to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore through 2025. No other nominations were made. The previous mayor pro tempore was former Simpsonville City Councilmember Jenn Hulehan, who represented Ward III.

Upon Roche's appointment Mayor Shewmaker adjourned the meeting without objection. A reception with cookies and bottled water for the 2024-2025 Simpsonville City Council was held immediately following the meeting.  

Councilmembers O'Rear, Pinkerton and Williams and Mayor Shewmaker will serve their terms through 2027. Council will next meet for the Committee of the Whole meeting on Jan. 23.

Simpsonville City Councilmember Chad O'Rear of Ward I is sworn into office on Jan. 9, 2024.

Simpsonville City Councilmember Tim Pinkerton of Ward V is sworn into office on Jan. 9, 2024.

Simpsonville City Councilmember Shannon Williams of Ward III is sworn into office on Jan. 9, 2024.

Councilmember Shannon Williams, Councilmember Tim Pinkerton, Mayor Paul Shewmaker and Councilmember Chad O'Rear were sworn into office in Council Chambers at Simpsonville City Hall at approximately 6:15 p.m. on Jan. 9, 2024.

Simpsonville City Council of 2024-2025: Councilmember Aaron Rupe (Ward II), Councilmember Shannon Williams (Ward III), Councilmember Tim Pinkerton (Ward V), Mayor Paul Shewmaker, Councilmember Chad O'Rear (Ward I), Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tempore Sherry Roche (Ward IV) and Councilmember Lou Hutchings (Ward VI)