Bad roads, flooding, and food for the poor were among the topics at a town hall meeting in Greenville

Deteriorating road conditions, storm recovery, and access to food assistance benefits are the top concerns for constituents in House District 25.

Hearing these concerns, State Rep. Wendell Jones (D-Greenville) brought neighbors and representatives from three state agencies together for a town hall meeting at the Upstate Circle of Friends office on June 25.

Dozens of community members filed into a meeting room despite the severe thunderstorm warnings and extreme heat.

They brought along questions about benefits, road maintenance, street lighting, and flooding — hoping to get answers from South Carolina’s Department of Social Services (DSS), Department of Transportation (SCDOT), and Office of Resilience (SCOR), who attended the town hall meeting.

"People feel like there's a disconnect between them and the agencies," Jones said. "It's my goal to bridge that gap."

Agency representatives answered questions when they could, while explaining how their offices operate behind the scenes.

The majority of questions were directed to Brandon Wilson, who attended the meeting on behalf of SCDOT. He serves as the administrator for District 3, which encompasses the counties of Greenville, Spartanburg, Pickens, and Oconee.

He explained how hearing from community members through town hall meetings can help get the ball rolling in the road repair process.

One person compared driving down Crestfield Road to the Six flags rollercoaster ride because of the huge potholes.

Wilson said he expected some feedback on that specific roadway he had just traveled on June 24 to experience the conditions firsthand.

He has since made plans to contact utilities and already requested a reevaluation.

"That's where I can help make it start," Wilson said.

Wilson also answered questions about street lights, funding for road repairs, construction, and specific roads — like Crestfield Road, Augusta Road, and White Horse Road.

Jones also invited a representative from DSS out to the town hall amid concerns about what a federal spending plan could mean for the future of Social Security, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and Medicaid coverage.

About 20,800 households in Greenville County receive SNAP benefits as of April, according to DSS. The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reports that approximately 95,000 residents of Greenville County are covered by Medicaid.

Ned Moore, the Greenville County director for DSS, fielded a few questions about food assistance eligibility, benefits, and stalled benefits, which Jones pointed out that DSS is receiving calls about.

Ann Thompson, a member of Indivisible Upstate SC, said she often attends town hall meetings to make her voice heard.

She said it is essential to speak up, especially when it comes to potential changes to Social Security, Medicaid, and SNAP eligibility.

"This is 2025," Thompson said. "We don't have to be quiet."

Moore left behind cards with his contact information. That way, town hall attendees can reach out to him directly with their questions, and he can direct them to the right resources.

Hope Warrren, speaking on behalf of SCOR, echoed a similar idea.

"We're trying to meet people where they are," Warren said.