DILLON — Dillon County Council members voted Wednesday to hold the public meeting Monday that will affirm or reverse their June 16 decision to terminate Dillon County Administrator Charles Curry.
Dillon County Council Vice Chairman Macio Williamson said Curry will be given a chance to verbally respond to a letter dated June 18 that was written to him by Council explaining why he was terminated.
During Wednesday’s meeting Dan Shine, an attorney appointed by Curry for Dillon County and its council, explained how Monday’s public hearing is to be conducted and what will and won’t be allowed.
Curry will be given the opportunity to respond to statements made in the letter “so the public can be allowed to witness his comments,” Shine said.
Curry can also present documents that support his statements, Shine said.
“(Curry) hasn’t had the opportunity to respond and to do it in front of the eyes and ears of the public,” Shine said.
In some cases, the term public hearing means that the public will be given a chance to comment on a specific matter, Shine said. But in this particular case, he said, a public commenting period isn’t required.
The upcoming meeting is public in the sense that Curry will have the opportunity to openly address Dillon County residents, council members and others, Shine said.
In some states, proceedings of this type are known as “Clear My Name” hearings, Shine said.
This is what Curry will be doing during the hearing because he can rebut the reasons council members gave for terminating him, the attorney said.
Curry also will have the option of calling members of the public, attorneys or whomever he pleases to speak on his behalf, Shine said.
Shine also explained that Dillon County Council members will not have to answer any questions about the matter during the hearing.
Curry’s attorney, Janet Altman Byrd, took legal action against Council and an emergency hearing was on the matter Monday before 4th Circuit Court Judge Michael Baxley.
The matter was resolved by a consent order and both parties agreed let the final decision on Curry’s employment be made at a public hearing at 6 p.m. Monday at the Dillon County Courthouse.
A final vote on the matter will be taken on the matter no later than 10 p.m. that day. The result of the vote will be binding immediately.
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