Gayla McSwain
Goose Creek City Council
Gayla McSwain has worked hard to improve our quality of life in Goose Creek since being elected to City Council in 2018.
Vote for Gayla to continue making Goose Creek a great place to live!
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About Gayla McSwain
"I believe in service to the community because it is an important way to invest in our future: Serving the common good."
Experienced Professional
A self-made business woman, Army veteran, and trial attorney, she has been certified by the South Carolina’s Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government.
Results-oriented
From fixing sink holes to reviewing critical city contracts to promoting innovative ideas, Gayla pursues issues until they are resolved. Her attention to detail and diligence in getting results have made real improvements in the lives of our citizens.
Your voice on city council
Gayla fights for you. She has the courage to stand up to government when it is wrong or indifferent and the skill to guide leaders in the right direction. She works tirelessly for the citizens of Goose Creek to protect and improve our city.
Gayla
Gayla McSwain believes in doing what’s right, not what’s easy. She has a reputation for doing her homework and making government work for the citizens of Goose Creek. Our city needs:
High Quality Jobs
Good opportunities within the city and living wages for everyone, not just the people at the top.
Managed Growth
Planned economic development for a diversified tax base but BALANCED with QUALITY businesses and green/recreational space.
Public Safety
Road improvement; adequate police and fire protection; better traffic management; more sidewalks; drug use prevention/treatment.
Accountability and Fiscal Responsibility
Keeping our taxes low by spending wisely.
Her Accomplishments in Office
Gayla has made significant contributions in looking out for the best interests of the citizens of Goose Creek. Here are a few examples of her accomplishments:
Legal Insight
With her significant legal background, Gayla was able to review all of the contracts that the city entered into regarding a proposed city-owned electric utility and ensure that changes were made to those contracts to better protect the city: When the judge found that the city could not legally provide electricity to Century Aluminum, the city did not incur any legal costs.
Community Development
As soon as she was elected to council, Gayla reviewed the plans for a park in the Boulder Bluff neighborhood that had been shelved for several years. She emailed copies of the plans to the rest of council and explained that the Boulder Bluff residents, while she was campaigning in their neighborhood, had asked her when that park was going to be built. Council later voted to build the John McCants Veterans Park in Boulder Bluff. Such projects help to create a sense of place and will attract tourists which will help our businesses.
Cultural Development
Some Council members wanted to get rid of the Arts Commission but councilwoman McSwain infused new life into it. By supporting the Arts Commission, the city has been transformed with projects like the vinyl wrap art work that has appeared on traffic signal control boxes, artwork on city vehicles, a new mural ordinance that allows artwork on buildings, the adopt-a-goose program, and a new, cultural arts center for residents to enjoy. All Arts projects have been well received by the public. They, along with future projects, help to create a sense of place that is needed in Goose Creek.
Business Development
She supports high value business development that enhances the quality of life in the city. Specifically, she discovered that the city’s sale contract with the developer of the old, Goose Creek fire station had expired and got that sale moving again. We now have our first micro-brewery along with a restaurant in the same space, and the new mural ordinance allows for an exterior that makes for a nice gathering spot for citizens and visitors here, as well as at other businesses in the city.
Gayla personally visited one of our city’s business owners to encourage him to apply for a city facade grant. Through the grant program, he was able to afford a major facade upgrade that improved the appearance of his business. Many businesses have since improved their store fronts with this program.
Departmental Excellence
She discovered that several of our planning commission members had not received state-mandated continuing education and training, and ensured that the situation was corrected. Well-trained planning commissioners are essential to creating a sense of place and to make commercial and residential zoning and land use compatible with the city’s comprehensive plan. Such appointments will help council to address the critical issues, drawing from the competent citizens of Goose Creek.
Personal Development
Upon being newly elected, Gayla immediately engaged in training to become certified by the South Carolina’s Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government; she has encouraged her fellow council members to take advantage of that education which will help them to address the critical issues facing Goose Creek in a meaningful way.
Advocating for the City and the Citizens
Gayla has met with the SCDOT on numerous occasions in an attempt to get a sidewalk built in one of our oldest neighborhoods, Boulder Bluff. Council recently approved matching funds to get that sidewalk, along with drainage improvements, built in that neighborhood. Such projects help to create a sense of place and pride.
At Council’s budget workshop, she expressed her belief that our City trash collection employees were being underpaid; some were not earning a "living" wage. The budget was amended accordingly. She was the only council member to vote against a pay raise for the mayor and city council, citing facts and statistics that the mayor's role is part time and that the salary was already at the top of the appropriate range.
Holding Government Accountable
It is the city council's role to vote on who to hire as the city administrator. After unsuccessfully trying to convince the mayor that he was illegally withholding the applications of candidates for our city administrator position from the rest of council, Gayla sued him in his official capacity. A judge ordered the mayor to give the applications to the rest of council. Access to the applications enabled council members to know who the applicants were and to see their qualifications, as was, in fact, their legal right. Without an excellent city administrator, who runs the city’s operations, none of the critical issues facing Goose Creek could be adequately addressed. As a result of that action, the city hired an exceptional administrator who has been instrumental in the positive changes to Goose Creek.
"...an outstanding individual of the highest character and integrity."
- the late Robert E. McNair, former Governor of South Carolina
"Her integrity and candor cannot be questioned. She has always been very open minded, courteous, compassionate without bias or prejudice, but yet firm and decisive in her opinions."
- B. L. "Dutch" Meyer, Risk Management Director, Piggly Wiggly
"Her ability to effectively balance work, family, and community responsibility make her a role model for other professional women."
- Mary Thornley, President Emeritus, Trident Technical College
In the News
Gayla has been instrumental in addressing the critical issues facing Goose Creek and has the courage to stand up for the best interests of the citizens.
Goose Creek leaders OK salary increases, will not take effect until after election
"Goose Creek's elected officials took a second and final vote Tuesday night on the question of whether or not to give raises to those in their positions.
Gayla McSwain voted against it..."
Commentary: Goose Creek citizens have chance to shape city’s future
Gayla McSwain: "Goose Creek is right in the center of everything. That is the conclusion reached by the consultant that the city of Goose Creek hired to help rewrite its comprehensive plan."
Judge orders Goose Creek mayor to hand over city administrator applications to councilwoman
"The mayor of Goose Creek was ordered by a judge Thursday to hand over the applications for a soon-to-be vacant city administrator position after a councilwoman filed a lawsuit against the politician alleging he was conducting the search in private."
City Council divided on planning commission appointment
"While Councilwoman Gayla McSwain attempted to nominate resident Gena Glaze for the commission, before she could do so Councilman Jerry Tekac made a motion to nominate Byrd, prompting some tension on the governing body."