Daniel Island slated to gain a second voice on City Council

Once every 10 years, whether we like it or not, and pursuant to state and federal law, our community, like all communities across America, turns the spotlight on itself and conducts a census. In addition to the legal mandate, there are a number of important and practical reasons for doing so — allocation of fiscal resources, short and long term infrastructure planning and the redistricting of geopolitical subdivisions. At the local level, Charleston’s 12 (yes, we have that many) City Council districts are determined, principally, by population distribution, with each required to have an equal number of residents.

 

In my, now, 13 years on Council, I have represented districts defined by the 2000 and 2010 census. And, before too long, a third, defined by the recently completed 2020 census. Before I get to the punchline here (yup, you are getting a second councilmember, and that’s a good thing) perhaps some historical perspective and metrics. At the turn of the millennium, the population of Charleston was (rounded) 97,000 residents. Of that number, Daniel Island and the Cainhoy Peninsula (DICP) housed a whopping 1,200 residents. By 2010, the

City had grown to 120,000. DICP to 8,000. And now, based on 2020 numbers the City has a population of 150,000 and DICP has 15,000. The City’s growth rate of 25% pales in comparison to that of Daniel Island. Conversely, in its current configuration, District 8’s population has reduced by 20%.

 

And therefore, because the population exceeds, by a fairly large number, the 12,500-person council district limitation, a second district will cover a portion of Daniel Island. Under the preferred draft map (tinyurl.com/2p93e5nx), that district by number is 8, and the sitting member is me, Mike Seekings. Which, from my perspective, makes perfect sense. Districts 1 and 8 have long had a close connection, both geographically and politically. 

 

I look forward in that tradition to working with Councilmember Boyd Gregg on the issues important to all of us, both on Daniel Island and across the City: fully staffed and equipped police and fire departments, reduced reliance on property taxes to fund city government and a common sense approach to large-scale infrastructure projects — to name just a few. Protecting and enhancing our quality of life, being the centerpiece of all City policy.

 

It has been an honor to represent our city through some of the most dynamic (and yes, challenging) times, perhaps in our history. And, for the next three years at least (I was just reelected in November), I welcome the opportunity, alongside Councilmember Gregg, to represent the interests of Daniel Island. There is little doubt that through the redistricting process, this growing community will have a well-coordinated and effective collective voice at City Hall and with Berkeley County.