LITM Episode 89, Dr. Brent Munnerlyn, PharmD is running for Lexington County Council in District 3

Lost in the Midlands

Dr. Brent Munnerlyn, PharmD is running for Lexington County Council in District 3. He is challenging incumbent Darrell Hudson to represent the people who live in the west Lexington area and out Highway 378 to the edge of Lake Murray.

This District includes some of the more affluent residents south of the lake. Munnerlyn grew up in Lexington County in District 3, and attended Lexington District One schools from elementary through high school. He graduated from the University of South Carolina Pharmacy School and owns an independent pharmacy called My Pharmacy and Optical in District 3.

He has built his practice and now has about 10,000 patients in and around the District 3 community and across the Midlands. In the past, he managed the Health & Wellness business for Walmart across the midlands and other outlying areas. Responsibilities included managing the pharmacies, health care centers, and optical divisions that employed several hundred people. He was able to increase the company’s profits and grow top line revenue during his 10 years in this role. He put systems and standards in place that helped the company manage their costs and reorganized departments and stores that were underperforming. In this job, he was recognized for his work and was asked to come to the company’s headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas to help revamp benefit policies.

During his time in Bentonville, he was able to identify a $82 million loss and also helped improve time off benefits for employees that they continue to enjoy today. Munnerlyn also owns Munnerlyn Pyrotechnics. This business puts on large, professional fireworks shows like the one on Lake Murray, Peach Festival, Fort Jackson, Columbia Fireflies, Blowfish and the Town of Lexington. There are many others across the country. You can find out more about the professional display side of his business at www.munnerlynpyro.com.

His other fireworks business is geared toward retail customers. Munnerlyn has store fronts operating under the name Joe Dirt Fireworks, Sam Fireworks and Bada Boom Fireworks across the area that are dedicated to retail firework sales. This includes everything from sparklers to large mortar shells. He already has a large store front in Lexington County that’s easy to locate on Augusta Road (US Hwy. 1) just off I-26 at 4341 Augusta Road. He’s also opening a new store in the next few weeks at 5921 Edmund Highway, Lexington. This is near South Lake Drive (SC Hwy. 6) and Edmund Highway. You can find all his locations by going to the Joe Dirt webpage at www.joedirtfireworks.com.

When asked why he was running for Lexington County Council, Munnerlyn said, “I find Darrell (Hudson) to be a person that makes decisions without thinking about how they impact others. I would say that the harm he does isn’t always intentional, however, I have addressed him in both a public forum and one on one directly before the county passed its fireworks ordinance. He talks with you, sometimes seems as if he’s agreeable or understands, but then votes with a very vocal minority that shows up at council meetings raising their voices over an issue that can affect thousands, and then votes for that minority that’s at these hearings. I find that the younger generation, working people, and very busy people simply can’t make these meetings, but they still should have a voice on things. He basically is neglecting to consider the district’s residents that cannot show up at a council meeting and weigh in on an issue.

The multiethnic communities that are affected by the fireworks ordinance is just one of the groups that Darrell ignored. This is a prime example of the way that people are being discriminated against in Lexington County because of unnecessary regulations. But, after making the decision to run I am now seeing this same pattern of decision making occurring with development issues that are going to have a profound impact on our children’s future.”

When you listen to Munnerlyn talk, you immediately feel his energy and passion for people and issues. He’s extremely energetic and animated and willing to fight for what’s right and the truth. “I’ve already learned that some of the council members will sacrifice the truth to fit their needs and desires. I’m sorry, but at times the lies and slander are just too much. I come from a business culture where these types of behaviors are handled with terminations.

You can find out more about Brent Munnerlyn on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/voteBRENTMUNNERLYN.

He can also be found on the internet at www.votebrent.com.

Munnerlyn has a Meet & Greet scheduled at O’Hara’s on Main Street at 4:30 p.m. on June 4, 2024. The public is invited to attend this and interact with him exchanging ideas and their thoughts on the future of Lexington County.

Lost in the Midlands Podcast
Hosted by Wright Brennan
Sponsored by Seawright Roofing

Videocast: https://youtu.be/7kqk3FwBn1Q

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