2013 Mayor Pro Tem
District 6 Councilman
Councilman Gregorie served 32 years with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), culminating with 8 years as CEO of the HUD Columbia Field Office for South Carolina. As CEO of the HUD Columbia Field Office for South Carolina, Councilman Gregorie directed billions of dollars of critical resources to communities across the State. During his tenure HUD's funding in South Carolina grew from $660 million annually to over $1.4 billion, with assets in access of $2 billion. During this time, the City of Charleston received $12 million in tax credits, and MUSC received a FHA mortgage for $400 million to construct the Ashley River Tower (The ART Building).
Councilman Gregorie was elected to office on February 17, 2009, and is now completing his second 4 year term. During this time he has accomplished much for the District, including being nominated by Mayor Riley, and unanimously elected by City Council as the 2013 Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Charleston.
Legislative
True to his call for more transparency in government, as the only Councilman to introduce major legislation in over four years he:
1. Introduced legislation that now provides Televised and Web Based City Council Meetings
2. Sponsored an amendment to the City's Fair Housing Ordinance:
- To provide the city with enforcement authority substantially equivalent to the national fair housing law
- To increase penalties for housing discrimination against families with children, the disabled, race, religion, national origin, and sexual orientation
3. A resolution for a Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness
4. An IPAD Ordinance to reduce the amount of paper waste in City hall
5. A resolution in support of Offshore Wind Energy Development with the potential to create approximately 20,000 jobs
6. A Unity Day Resolution in celebration of the strength of our diversity
Committees
Gregorie
- Currently serves as Chair of the License and Recreation Committees.
- He serves on the City of Charleston City Council’s Community Development, Ways and Means, and Small Claims Committees.
- He served as past Chairman of the Sustainability Advisory Committee.
- He served on the selection committees for the Architect of Record, and the Construction Manager at risk for the Gaillard Center, and contractor for the Horizon Project, a proposed billion dollar mixed use development in District 6.
- He served as past Chairman of Public Works & Utilities and Vice-Chair of Community Development.
Boards
- Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (Finance Committee)
- Horizon Foundation (Voting member along with Mayor Riley)
- Low-country Housing and Economic Development Foundation
- International African American Museum (IAAM)
- Trustee Emanuel AME Church
- Advisory Board
- Intergovernmental Council (Town of James Island, City of Charleston, James Island PSD, Charleston County, and state legislative delegation
- Charleston Development Academy Public Charter School(CDA)
- Lowcountry Chapter of the Boy Scouts of America Board of Directors
Memberships
- The Homeless Task Force
- Sertoma
- West Ashley Senior Services Coordinating Committee
- West Ashley Transportation Forum
- National League of Cities
- SC Municipal Association
- Charleston Historical Preservation Society
- Urban League
- NAACP
- South Carolina Coalition for Voter Participation
District 6 Accomplishments
Councilman Gregorie has implemented and pays for a one-stop Constituent Services Program, headed by a paid professional which he personally finances. Over the years, the program has successfully addressed hundreds of requests, complaints, and inquiries with responses provided in a 24 hour period and tracked until required action is completed.
Councilman Gregorie supported:
• Increased public safety for our schools, neighborhoods and entertainment district;
• Expanded fire protection which in the long run may reduce insurance premiums;
• The creation of the “NO SMOKING” medical mile around MUSC and Roper Hospitals;
• Re-naming Westchester Park, Thomas Johnson Park;
• Completed phase 1 of upgrades to Ferguson Village Park;
• Conversion of Spring, Cannon, Coming and St. Philip Streets
• Program to minimize nuisances which may be caused by skate boarders;
• Improved recreation/park facilities Downtown, West Ashley, and James Island
• Zoning changes to protect the residential fabric of our neighborhoods
• Neighborhood signage for Downtown and West Ashley neighborhoods
• Driveway repairs for West Ashley and Downtown residents
• Funding for all drainage projects Downtown and West Ashley
• Land acquisition for conservation in East Oak Forrest (West Ashley)
• Naming of Higgins Pier in Ashleyville/Maryville, and secured funding for feasibility study for the building Higgins Pier
• Re-establishing the Gadsden Green Community Resident Council
• and assisted formalizing the Bristol Homeowners Association
• Introduced legislation to televise City Council Meeting
• Introduced a Resolution in Support of Offshore Wind Energy Development
• Initiated naming of the Crosstown the Septima Clark Parkway
• Completion of Arthur Christopher Community Center
• Introduce a Resolution for a 10 year Plan to End Chronic End Homeless
• Established redevelopment plan committee for the Westside neighborhood
• Weatherization/roof repair for the elderly West Ashley and Downtown
• Through Operation Home provided emergency repair for elderly residences
• Participated in MUSC's Leadership Institute for James Island
• Participated In MUSC's National Conferences for Health Disparity in Philadelphia and Charleston
• Conducted Town Hall Meetings on James Island focused on housing needs
• Monitored affects of Gathering Place development on James Island
• Significant increases (millions of dollars) in Women and Minority Business participation in City funded projects
Accomplishments as Mayor Pro Tem
Councilmember Gregorie has represented Mayor Riley and the City of Charleston through proclamations, speeches, panel discussions, and receptions: To date Gregorie has represented the City before more than 6000 people through his participation in the following:
- Welcome Jet Blue to Charleston Reception
- Salem Missionary Baptist Church Tribute to Deacon Jacob Scott
- American Indian Chamber of Commerce
- An Evening with the Stars District 3 Annual Winter Gala
- SC Community Leaders Institute (MUSC)
- Women's Resource Project, Inc Luncheon
- Rueben's Men's Wear
- Easter Eggstrvaganza
- National Walking Day MUSC
- Welcome for Holiday Inn Grand Opening
- Panel on Gun Control Safety in Education. Center for American Progress
- Voorhees College Annual President's Scholarship Gala
- Family Cup, Tennis in the City, Jack Adams Tennis Courts
- Holy City Preservation Workshop (Preservation Society)
- Candlelight Vigil. Charleston Leadership Breakfast
- James Simmons Elementary School Historic Marker Unveiling
- Cigar Factory Historic Marker Unveiling
- Thomas Myers Head Start Center Week of the Young Child
- Aktion Club Info. (Disabilities Board of Charleston)
- South Atlantic Region AKA Sorority 60th Regional Conference
- National Petroleum Energy Credit Association Meeting
- Groundbreaking for Harbor View Elementary School
- Harry and Reba Huge Foundation Luncheon
- 6th Annual Charleston International Film Festival
- Fair Housing Telethon (Channel 5)
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina Foundation Grant Award Luncheon
- St James Presbyterian Church (event) James Island
- Nehemiah Action
- National Day of Prayer - Charleston Southern University
- Low-Country Housing Trust Summit
- Charleston Development Academy Graduation Ceremony
- Metro Chamber of Commerce presents
- MILITARY Policy COUNCIL LEADERSHIP CHARLESTON SESSION
- Mayors Summey, Swails, and Mayor Pro Tem Gregorie served as panelists in a discussion of MAJOR ISSUES FACING OUR REGION
- Graduation for National Leaders Council
- Celebration in honor of the late Reverend Donna Green
- Ambassador.... Private reception dignitaries from Charleston Carifest
- Master French Chef Conference Presented French Ambassador .....
- Sigma Phi Gamma International Sorority
- Welcome Danielle Bradbury winner of the Voice
- Conference call with Ambassador of Trinidad/Tobago, Mayor Riley/Scott Watson
- Accepted Proclamation from CCSB for City's efforts in First Day
- ELKS USA Regional Luncheon
Issues
There is still much more to do. We must work to develop an intergovernmental coordination between the new Town of James Island, the Public Service District, Charleston County, and the City of Charleston. We must also prioritize our City's budget to address the major issues of traffic congestion, drainage, livability concerns, public safety, and education. We can successfully address these issues and more by working together under a community partnership between our neighborhoods and local governments.