The Opinion Blog

Ending the Cycle

Sunday’s editorial argues that the seemingly endless plight of Atlantic Beach could be solved by a bill in the legislature that would create objective benchmarks all towns must follow.

The story of Atlantic Beach in 2009 will end the same way it did in 2008: any growth or progress in the town, all the efforts to improve such an important and historic place, are completely overshadowed by a government apparently bent on consuming itself.

Seeking Reinforcements

Friday’s lead editorial suggests the Atlantic Beach Town Council bring in the Horry County Election Commission to conduct town elections for the foreseeable future – not to prevent fraud, but to head off allegations of fraud.

It comes as little surprise to observers of Atlantic Beach politics that the results of the town's Nov. 3 election were challenged, then protested, then postponed two days, and now postponed another week.

Modern-Day Carpet-bagging

Saturday’s editorial encourages the Atlantic Beach Election Commissioners to take a hard look at whether the apparent winners of town's election actually live in town.

This week's electoral debacle in Atlantic Beach proves that the tiny town's longstanding tradition of employing a “transient electorate” to decide elections is still alive and thriving, though its practice has changed hands. In fact, the transients are no longer just the voters – they're the candidates, and the winning ones at that.

One Last Chance

Thursday’s editorial reminds Myrtle Beach candidates that they have two more weeks to show voters real leadership.

Attacks on family members, anonymous mailers, allegations of kickbacks – the politics in the Myrtle Beach city elections was filthy enough the first time around that we hope the next two weeks will be an improvement.

More Rally Restrictions? Think Twice

Sunday's editorial considers the possibility that Myrtle Beach's efforts to control the motorcycle rallies last year might have gone too far.

Amid the radically altered landscape of this year's Harley-Davidson spring rally, the center of the party undeniably shifted down south to Murrells Inlet.

During the May rallies, the good folks at Suck Bang Blow and the Beaver Bar said their business was about as strong as any year during the second rally weekend, though business in the week leading up to it was painfully slow. With the dual challenges of a recession and a total crackdown by Myrtle Beach, that was probably about as good as they could hope for.

Even that attendance level, however, seems to have been too much for some Georgetown County residents. This month, the Georgetown County Council is considering reducing the number of vendor permits it issues to one per business, in hopes of lessening some congestion.

Our advice, after a year's worth of reflection on the sweeping changes enacted by Myrtle Beach, is to proceed with caution. Our area as a whole has undertaken a massive overhaul of its approach to visitors on motorcycles, the ramifications of which have yet to be fully realized.

Long Fall From Grace

Saturday's editorial explores the trajectory of Atlantic Beach Mayor Retha Pierce's path from a well-liked community fixture to, frankly, an embarrassment to that same community, and suggests she step down so the town can move forward.

As news of Atlantic Beach Mayor Retha Pierce's fourth arrest since her 2007 election played across the Grand Strand this week, many doubtlessly wondered how she was ever elected in the first place.

The Truth About the Bikefest

Tuesday's editorial praises the apparent recognition in Atlantic Beach that festivals do not represent the path to redevelopment.

The decision by Atlantic Beach officials last week to forgo the creation of a new annual fall festival for bikers and families was likely met in some quarters by applause, and others by lament. More notable than the decision itself, however, was the kernel of truth town leaders acknowledged in announcing it.

Election-season activity nears

Thursday's editorial notes the opening of the filing periods in several area elections, and notes how different the political landscape is now compared to two years ago.

With two years' hindsight, an ironic grin is tough to resist upon glancing back at the opening of The Sun News' assessment in 2007 of that year's upcoming elections.

"Myrtle Beach politics are quiet these days, and Mayor John Rhodes wants to keep it that way," it read. Sure enough, three council members sailed to re-election, with the most successful challenger's thousand-or-so votes 400 shy of the closest incumbent.

Oh, what a difference two years makes. Suffice it to say, few expect this election season to bring, as the city spokesman assessed back then, a "fairly light campaign."

Pay before you slow

Thursday's editorial urges Atlantic Beach to hold off on a proposed moratorium on commercial development until it secures money to finish its rezoning and master planning process.

Abandoned amid the soap opera of Atlantic Beach politics over the last two years is what could have been a great step forward for the struggling little town: the adoption of a new master plan to guide its development and long-hoped-for prosperity.

The latest Atlantic Beach liferaft

Saturday's editorial points out the opportunities for Atlantic Beach now that federal officials plan to close their public-housing units.

After a year of warnings, Atlantic Beach learned Thursday night that a federal study will recommend closing their 40 public-housing units permanently and giving residents vouchers to move away.

The loss of those residents will inevitably alter the makeup of the small town, where public housing addresses regularly contribute a 20 percent to 30 percent block of the core 80 or so voters in each election. But rather than a setback, the removal of those aging buildings presents the town with one of its greatest opportunities in years - if town leaders will recognize and embrace it.