The Opinion Blog

Horry in charge at MB airport -- and shows it

Today's editorial explains the symbolic power of Friday's groundbreaking for the new general aviation terminal at Myrtle Beach International Airport:

Some argue that Friday's groundbreaking for the new general aviation terminal at Myrtle Beach International Airport was premature, considering that a key city of Myrtle Beach board has not yet given the project its final OK. Perhaps so.

But even if the city's Community Appearance Board finds fault with some aspects of the project, now slated to cost $4.5 million, the spading of a few shovelsful of dirt doesn't affect the project's future. Before construction money gets spent, airport owner Horry County will have plenty of time to deal with any concerns the CAB might raise. County Council must also approve a project budget increase of $500,000 before serious work can begin.

MB airport authority bill comes months too late

Today's editorial takes issue with the proposal by S.C. Sen. Luke Rankin and S.C. Rep. Alan Clemmons to transfet Horry County's airports to a state-run commission:

Let Rankin-Clemmons airport plan go nowhere

A question for S.C. Sen. Luke Rankin and S.C. Rep. Alan Clemmons, who this week filed identical bills to give control of the Myrtle Beach International Airport to an unelected entity called the Grand Strand Airport District: Why didn't you guys pitch this legislation at the beginning of this year's legislative session?

By waiting until now to pitch an alternative airport governance plan, Rankin, R-Myrtle Beach, and Clemmons, R-Myrtle Beach, virtually guarantee that nothing productive can happen. Horry County's other three senators were right this week to greet the proposal with the same enthusiasm they'd show a plate of undercooked fish.

NMB becoming the Strand's alpha dog?

Today's editorial remarks upon North Myrtle Beach's relentless boundary expansions:

"Developers at the unincorporated periphery of North Myrtle Beach rarely resist annexation. Attracted by the city's superior public services and stable property-tax rate, they practically beg the city to redraw its boundaries to include their acreage. Not for nothing did a city councilman joke a few years back that the city could annex its way along S.C. 9 to the city limits of Loris if it wanted to.

"As things are turning out, his joke would have worked better if he'd used Myrtle Beach as his example.