Council Walks Out Over Mayor's Power Claim | Columbia News

Chapin Town Council erupted in chaos as four members walked out mid-meeting, protesting Mayor Bill Mitchell’s refusal to allow votes on the municipal clerk’s contract — a move he claimed violated his executive authority. Tensions spiked when Councilman Warren Burritt challenged the mayor’s legal interpretation, prompting an unusual police chief intervention and a heated standoff over an adjournment motion. After a five-minute recess, the council members collectively bolted, leaving the mayor alone to declare their departure “unethical and illegal.” This latest fallout follows a similar disruption just two days prior, exposing deepening rifts over legal representation and mayoral control — and crippling the town’s ability to govern. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/aff63534e88baa43