“IF YOU’RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO LIVE IN AIKEN, YOU’RE LUCKY ENOUGH”
This familiar phrase resonates deeply within the Aiken community, reflecting the commitment of the entire city council including Andrea Gregory and Ed Girardeau, Aiken City Council members representing the Woodside area. Andrea, originally from Colombia (South America), moved to the United States at five and settled in Aiken at seventeen. Ed, a native Aikenite, has lived in the city most of his life.
As City Council members, Andrea and Ed are on-call 24/7, 365 days a year, wholly dedicated to serving their community. Andrea and Ed were sworn in December 11, 2017, and are serving their second term, both are up for reelection this year. They make it a priority to respond to every call, understanding that each inquiry or issue could present unique challenges. Whether resolving issues directly or involving specialists, they ensure the problem is addressed efficiently and effectively, acting as liaisons between the community and the broader city government.
Andrea outlines three primary components of their role:
- Public Safety: Ensuring the necessary resources, training, and support for safety personnel.
- Infrastructure: Assessing and maintaining essential services like water, sewer, and roads.
- Parks and Recreation: Providing accessible and affordable opportunities for exercise, sports, and leisure activities for all age groups.
Both Andrea and Ed emphasize the extensive resources available to Aiken residents. A notable service is the public transportation provided by Aiken Senior Life Services (ASLS), which also offers Meals on Wheels, benefiting many Woodside residents.
Learn More About Aiken’s City Government
The Aiken City Council, comprising seven elected members, governs the city by setting policies, overseeing programs, and allocating departmental funds. The Mayor is elected at large, while six council members represent individual districts, serving four-year terms. Notably, council members are not full-time city employees.
Andrea Gregory (District 5) and Ed Girardeau (District 4) are passionate about their roles and responsibilities to their constituents, serving as vital connections to Aiken’s city government. Their contact information is publicly available:
Andrea Gregory: 803-293-6656, agregory@cityofaikensc.gov
Ed Girardeau: 803-646-9807, egirardeau@cityofaikensc.gov
They focus on Public Safety, Infrastructure, and Parks and Recreation, ensuring these benefits are accessible to all Aiken residents.
Interested in Knowing More?
Information from the City of Aiken website.
- The City Council meets every 2nd and 4th Monday at 7 PM at City Hall. The public is welcome, and agenda information is available on the city website the preceding Thursday.
- Andrea offers monthly “Coffee Sessions” in a casual format for open discussions. To join, email her at: agregory@cityofaikensc.gov.