District 7 Incumbent Brantley Moody faces challenger Sydney van Bulck on Nov. 5
by Jenny Peterson | News Editor
While the Tuesday, Nov. 5 general election is high-profile due to the presidential candidates on the ballot, local elections are also important. On the ballot for West Ashley voters in District 7 will be two candidates vying for a seat on Charleston County Council representing parts of West Ashley that encompasses areas south of Savannah Highway, neighborhoods surrounding Old Towne Road, Ashley Hall Road, Orange Grove Road, parts of Sam Rittenberg Avenue and a swath of neighborhoods north of Glenn McConnell Parkway.
Incumbent Brantley Moody is facing challenger Sydney van Bulck. We asked the candidates what they felt was the most important issues facing West Ashley and how they would address those issues. (Candidates listed alphabetically by last name).
County Council District 7 Candidate: Brantley Moody (incumbent)
Hometown: West Ashley
Professional background: Commercial banker for 26 years, elected to Charleston County Council District 7 in 2016 and reelected in 2020.
What do you feel are the most important issues West Ashley is facing?
The completion of I-526 is by far and away the biggest issue. That’s going to get around 50,000 cars a day off of our roads in West Ashley. The other thing is drainage. We’ve got a lot of projects going on in the unincorporated area. We do partner with the City where we overlap with them, but we have multiple drainage projects going on around Boone Hall Drive, Air Harbor neighborhood, Capri Isle and all those projects are ongoing. We also have a big project breaking ground at the Church Creek Piggly Wiggly site where the new fire and EMS Station is going. It’s going to take about four acres of concrete off a pad out there, which should be great relief for the Church Creek drainage basin. We’ve got intersection improvement projects up and down Savannah Highway and Saint Andrews Boulevard that are going to make it safer for pedestrians and bicyclists to move around. It’s about finishing what’s in the pipeline.
How would you address these issues?
Projects are already funded and they’re in design. It’s just a matter of keeping your foot on the pedal and not having to take a break to get another leader up to speed and learn about what’s going on—just keeping the momentum.
What are the most important things that county council members control/decide for their constituents?
Day-to-day things are recycling and EMS, which impact people’s day-to-day lives and of course, all the intersection and traffic improvements that we do. We also run all the county parks. We have not raised the millage rate in my two terms I’ve been elected.
Why did you decide to run for council in the first place and why are you seeking reelection?
I ran for council because there was no infrastructure, no money coming into my district, and I’ve changed that under my leadership by working with fellow council members and working with staff to bring projects to their attention, bringing projects online and work with fellow council members to get the votes to pass it. That’s why I ran and that’s why I’m running again—to see these projects to completion.
County Council District 7 Candidate: Sydney van Bulck (challenger)
Hometown: I grew up in Sumter, SC, but I moved to Charleston in 2005 and have lived here my entire adult life.
Professional background: Charleston County School District – Teacher 2010-2022; Rockwell Construction LLC 2022-Present
What do you feel are the most important issues West Ashley is facing?
Two of the biggest challenges facing our district are flooding and infrastructure. In recent years, flooding has become one of the most pressing issues in the Lowcountry. Our roads have become very dangerous, homes are continuously being damaged and it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain flood insurance. Charleston grows at a rate of around 33 people per day. It is long overdue to bring Charleston’s infrastructure into the 21st century and ensure that our roads are designed to best alleviate congestion. It is not enough to just build more roads. The design and functionality of the roads are vital to a healthy road system. We also have an obligation to our citizens to make the county more pedestrian-friendly. For citizens like myself, the number one issue is the rapid increase in the cost of housing. A community simply cannot function without a strong workforce. If your teachers, police officers, firefighters, grocery store employees and so many other civil servants can’t afford housing, then your community begins to crumble. This is not an easy fix, but there are many steps that we can take to begin to see a significant change.
How would you address those issues?
Our County Council members should have a strong relationship with all sectors of our public service industry. The County Council should be working with the State Legislature and the Federal Government for funding opportunities, and we need to be proactive in making preventative changes. We must be vigilant about not developing within the floodplain. Our drainage pipes are outdated and far too small, and we need to invest in pumps for our most vulnerable areas. My strategy for addressing our affordable housing needs includes advocating for policies that promote both the creation of new affordable housing units and the preservation of existing ones. I will push for increased communication within and between governments to streamline the development approval process. Additionally, I believe in offering incentives to builders to encourage the development of truly affordable housing. We should also be continuing to invest in The Lowcountry Housing Fund. We must begin to invest in smart growth and mixed use spaces. However, when we are giving incentives to builders who invest in attainable housing, it must be truly attainable. We cannot continue to give incentives for building attainable housing when attainable housing is set at rates that most cannot afford.
What are the most important things that county council members control/decide for their constituents?
The County Council decides how and where our tax dollars are spent. When voters go to the polls in November, the question that they need to ask is if they trust this current majority with their tax dollars, or if they are ready for a change. I am ready to be that change. I will be a fierce fighter for my constituents no matter what their concerns are. If a problem is outside of the control of The County Council, I will work closely with the entity in charge to make sure the issue is addressed. I will not leave my constituents to find solutions on their own.
Why did you decide to run for council?
I decided to run for office because citizens like myself are not being represented on council. The cost of housing keeps rising. Our infrastructure is out of date. Flooding in West Ashley keeps getting worse. My County Council member does not appear to be concerned about the needs of his constituents, so I decided to be the change I want from my government. My professional career gives me a unique perspective. I taught public school in North Charleston for twelve years before leaving to enter the business world. Teaching taught me that the only way our community thrives is by looking out for one another. I now work for Rockwell Construction. When I switched careers, I quickly learned how our local government affects small businesses. When systems are backlogged, businesses suffer. When our elected officials are unresponsive, businesses and families suffer. When our streets flood, property is damaged. When your representative is not advocating for your needs, things are not accomplished. Teaching taught me that I am capable of doing anything. I am a problem solver, and I work well as part of a team. Most importantly, I want to live a life of service to my community.
• Residents can register to vote up to 30 days before the Nov. 5 election online or through email/fax up until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6. Since in-person offices are closed on weekends, the last day to register in person at many locations will be Friday, Oct. 4.
• Online registration can be accessed at www.scvotes.gov with a valid S.C. Driver’s License. Voters can also check their registration status on the website.
• Additionally, residents who are currently 17 years old may now register to vote if they will turn 18 on or before Election Day.
• Residents can register to vote by mail, email, or fax by downloading a voter registration form from the website, completing it, and sending it to the office at PO Box 71419, North Charleston SC 29415; faxing to (843) 745-2236 or emailing it to voterregistration@charlestoncounty.org (must provide a signature.)
• Register in person by visiting the county elections office at 4340 Corporate Road, North Charleston or at many public agencies, including the Department of Motor Vehicles. For a complete list of in-person offices to register, visit www.scvotes.gov.
