Lack of sidewalks on Hwy 17

[coastalgirl]

Originally Posted by pburgess68

Ok guess no one wants to say anything so I will. The Horry County Government stinks. That should sum it up for you. When we had our wildfire the firemen couldn't even get to parts of the county because lots of the area still isn't paved. Since saving people's houses doesn't seem to be a worry, I'm guessing sidewalks aren't either.

so because there are parts of the county that are undeveloped and the firefighters couldn't get in, the government stinks? That makes absolutely no sense. There are many reasons why HCG is behind the times, but the fact that the entire county isn't covered in pavement has absolutely no relevance.

To answer the question about why there are no sidewalks: it is not a priority in MB, NMB, Horry county to have sidewalks everywhere. I have never heard of that being a local issue. If you have a problem with it, you can contact your council member. Seeing as you don't live in Horry county, it probably won't do you any good.

[Sonrise]

Originally Posted by CarolinaWoman

Compose an email or send snail mail and contact Horry County Council:

Horry County

or North Myrtle Beach Council:

North Myrtle Beach

Other than the lack of sidewalks how was your trip??

We had a great time, thanks for asking. I really appreciated your help. We loved the beach, went to 21st Ave. and spent time at Barefoot Landing, really cool place, Broadway @ the Beach, went to Ripley's Aquarium and had some really good food. If anyone hasn't tried Empire Fire Mongolian Grill, it's awesome. all in all, we had an excellent mini vacation and really enjoyed MB.

My question about lack of sidewalks on Hwy. 17 was simply out of curiosity, since we have the same issue here in the Upstate and have a huge thread about it. Hwy. 17 could be just like I-Drive in Orlando, if there was more connectivity via sidewalks. We'd love to have been able to walk from the Courtyard to Barefoot Landing and Bass Pro, instead of driving. I'm sure many people feel the same way, plus it would alleviate the traffic a little and look cool to see tourists and locals alike walking up and down visiting restaurants, shops and attractions.

[pburgess68]

Originally Posted by coastalgirl

so because there are parts of the county that are undeveloped and the firefighters couldn't get in, the government stinks? That makes absolutely no sense. There are many reasons why HCG is behind the times, but the fact that the entire county isn't covered in pavement has absolutely no relevance.
.

Well, honestly...yes, the government does stink! What other local govt shoos out a particular group of tourists that spends tons of money?

How about a mayor of one town that gets arrested (MANY times) and then doesn't show up to court?

How about the bridge for bears that was deemed far more important than finishing International Drive? Oh yes, the bears have more rights than the people it seems. The firetrucks attempted to go down Int'l Drive by OBM School but sank ito the sand. This impeded their progress into saving the homes. Instead they had to go all around the county on 31 to 22, etc to get to the fires. A waste of time because of the "bear bridge"? Darn tooting!

This is just the last few months worth of issues, but I'm sure if I did a bit more research there could be a few dozen.

Now, I don't want to see the whole county covered in pavement, don't get me wrong. However, I would like to see roads maintained properly. Lights working as they should. 8 min lights are just ridiculous, imo. No groups of tourists should be turned away, especially in a struggling economy. I would like to see more growth stimulation for small businesses like Conway is offering (, Conway!!!).

I do have to say that our DMV is by FAR one of the more efficient that I've ever run across...and the most friendly as well.

[burr]

Generally, and in this case, specifically, if no sidewalks are provided, it is not safe to walk or walking is not advised. Traffic at this spot is not at all pedestrian friendly, and drivers need no other distractions.

[coastalgirl]

Originally Posted by pburgess68

Well, honestly...yes, the government does stink! What other local govt shoos out a particular group of tourists that spends tons of money?

How about a mayor of one town that gets arrested (MANY times) and then doesn't show up to court?

How about the bridge for bears that was deemed far more important than finishing International Drive? Oh yes, the bears have more rights than the people it seems. The firetrucks attempted to go down Int'l Drive by OBM School but sank ito the sand. This impeded their progress into saving the homes. Instead they had to go all around the county on 31 to 22, etc to get to the fires. A waste of time because of the "bear bridge"? Darn tooting!

This is just the last few months worth of issues, but I'm sure if I did a bit more research there could be a few dozen.

Now, I don't want to see the whole county covered in pavement, don't get me wrong. However, I would like to see roads maintained properly. Lights working as they should. 8 min lights are just ridiculous, imo. No groups of tourists should be turned away, especially in a struggling economy. I would like to see more growth stimulation for small businesses like Conway is offering (, Conway!!!).
I do have to say that our DMV is by FAR one of the more efficient that I've ever run across...and the most friendly as well.

So if the fire happened 10 years ago when paving International Drive wasn't on the table, they still would stink? And exactly how does paving TWO underpasses for bears compare to an entire 5 mile road? What does Atlantic Beach's mayor have to do with the county? NOTHING. Mayors are employed by the city in which they govern. The county also did not shoo out anyone. Putting noise ordinances and controlling traffic is far from "shooing", and these things were voted on by a majority b/c that is what the constituents wanted.

My advice to you is when you are doing your research to turn up other "problems", you look into how government works, particularly in your own county.

[pburgess68]

Originally Posted by coastalgirl

So if the fire happened 10 years ago when paving International Drive wasn't on the table, they still would stink? And exactly how does paving TWO underpasses for bears compare to an entire 5 mile road? What does Atlantic Beach's mayor have to do with the county? NOTHING. Mayors are employed by the city in which they govern. The county also did not shoo out anyone. Putting noise ordinances and controlling traffic is far from "shooing", and these things were voted on by a majority b/c that is what the constituents wanted.

My advice to you is when you are doing your research to turn up other "problems", you look into how government works, particularly in your own county.

You are stating these things have nothing to with the government when obviously they do. The Mayor's of various towns have nothing to do with government? Their actions have no bearing on us? I was using them as examples as to how their actions influence those around them.

On Atlantic Beach: (taken from the SunNews)

• The town's business-license structure is widely known to be illegal, jeopardizing the town's primary income source and underpinning the tattoo-parlor controversy that embroiled McIver.
• Crime may be down, but town residents are still unprotected by police about half the hours any given day.
• The past three years of town finances are unaudited, costing the town its annual contribution from the state (about $15,000 this year).
• Zoning to implement the master plan remains unfinished, abandoned by planners due to unpaid bills.
• Derelict buildings and unkempt lots still dominate the town landscape, obscuring the few new beach houses.
• Several unresolved lawsuits still loom.

In MB, the noise ordinances were so severe that the original order would have prohibited busses and trucks from entering the area. Is that a little blind sided in order to keep the motorcycles out?

Ok, I guess we don't have to mention all of the problems within the various police departments either like public nudity or intoxication, or the latest of DWI. They have no baring on our county either since they are only here to uphold the law but cannot follow it themselves.

Regarding the fire: "So if the fire happened 10 years ago when paving International Drive wasn't on the table, they still would stink? And exactly how does paving TWO underpasses for bears compare to an entire 5 mile road? " How many of those homes were actually THERE 10 years ago? How about the 3 schools in the immediate area that were evacuated (I'm referring to the Ocean Bay area)

• Ocean Bay MS was opened in 2006, The Academy for Arts, Science and Technology was opened in 2007...so neither of those would have been affected.
• Some of subdivisions of Carolina Forest have been around since 1997, so even those could have been affected if the fire was started 10 years ago.
• Who was in charge of letting everyone know the fire was coming to Barefoot Landing? Was that your responsibility? Mine? Or was that the local goverment and their subsidiaries? This article shows that the local people were worried about voicing their opinion because they needed the government's help with rebuilding Barefoot Landing residents leery of timeline of wildfire - WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina |

From the SunNews: "We already know that other dispatch tapes were edited for public presentation to exclude comments that might cast aspersions on the city's response, and that the city has since changed its public records policy to discourage further requests. Now, city officials will only respond to questions about the fire via e-mail, offering evasive answers that cannot be followed up without another written exchange.

Residents of Barefoot Resort are rightly outraged, as we hope all North Myrtle Beach residents are. But most disappointing in all of this is the utter lack of reaction - or outright complicity - of the North Myrtle Beach City Council."

While doing my research, as you suggested, a first responder from a previous forest fire (The Long Bay Fire of 2001) in Horry County stated that they had to be on the scene sooner if possible. Well, imagine if that was the case in this last wildfire. If International Drive was paved instead of being tied up with an expensive bear bridge, the very heavy fire trucks wouldn't have sunk in the sand, had to turn around and go down 31 and 22 to go to the fire. This wasted hours (this was public knowledge as it was all over national tv), cost many people their homes, and many acres to burn unnecessarily.

Traffic signals: In general, a traffic engineer sets the length of traffic signals. 6 and 8 minute lights are ridiculous. I'm guessing you don't live anywhere near 501 in Carolina Forest. Come out here and try to get somewhere you REALLY need to be and allow an extra half hour. Oh, and don't forget your book!!

Anyway, maybe the government isn't to blame. Maybe we are at fault for voting them in. We always assume they have our best interests at heart, but their own agendas soon shine thru. I'm aware of how government works, being a government major in college (in the late 80s)...not too many people would admit that willingly I'm guessing lol

[coastalgirl]

I can't believe you admitted that! Obviously you forgot your education. Of course a first responder has to be on the scene as soon as possible! It still has ABSOLUTELY no relevance to the government sucking because a single road in the county wasn't paved. In addition, the quote you posted from the Sun News is from an OpEd, so take that with a grain of salt, and again, it's about the CITY OF NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, not Horry county. As for the mayor thing, since you studied government you should know that a mayor is elected in their city or town. Again, they have nothing to do with the county government, especially in Horry county where mayors basically don't do anything, especially in Atlantic Beach which is literally a 4 block town. I saw in your other posts that you are from NY, and you are complaining about traffic? Come On!! "Traffic" down here is a joke compared to a real city. Really, you are digging a bigger hole that you are capable of climbing out of.

You have said many,many negative things about MB and Horry county in your other posts. You should know by now after living there for 5 years that life is different at the beach. If it's so horrible for you, maybe you should think about moving?

[pburgess68]

Originally Posted by coastalgirl

There are many reasons why HCG is behind the times

What do you believe the reasons are for this?

Originally Posted by coastalgirl

I saw in your other posts that you are from NY, and you are complaining about traffic? Come On!! "Traffic" down here is a joke compared to a real city.

Yes, I'm from NY but NY isn't one big city, contrary to popular belief. In fact, where I'm from is 1 1/2 hrs north of NYC. It seems like you're grasping at straws here. Traffic stinks no matter where you're from. I have yet to hear one person ever say they enjoy sitting at lights.

They mayors don't do anything in the towns here? How awful for them! They are part of the city council! I find it hard to believe that the City Manager and the other council members decide on everything on their own, including eliminating the Bike Rallies. (Myrtle Beach Biker Info | Laws | Regulations)

"Horry County provides a full-range of services to citizens, including police and fire protection, EMS and E-911 services; construction and maintenance of highways, streets and other infrastructure; health and social services; recreational and cultural services; economic development; industrial park development; and other general administrative support services. In addition, air transportation and terminal support; and operation of a baseball stadium jointly owned with the City of Myrtle Beach are provided under an Enterprise fund concept."

So to reiterate what I said earlier...yes, they are responsible for the roads not being paved. They are responsible for the delay in the response time (NOT blaming the firemen, please note that!!!) during the wildfire.

I know you like your area the way it was. I commend you for that. I like how you stick up for your government. But sometimes changes have to happen, like it or not.

Turning away money when we're in a severe recession was dumb, at best. People CAN survive the "noise" of the motorcycles for a month. We KNOW what group was trying to be shut out. I've been in the food business long enough to be aware of it myself. But as the saying goes, to cut off your nose to despite your face, is silly. Yes, I know people walk out on bills. Yes, I know they do horrendous things that aren't fit to be done in public. I'm aware of these things. This is why we needed LAWS, not restrictions.

Anyway, I've done my research. I've proven my point. The government(s) that comprise Horry County have much to be desired. Some of it is our fault, the people living here. Some of it is the Council members. However, much of it is because no one likes change. But as Horry grows, so should the County. We are no longer living in the good 'ol days and it's time to change the antiquated laws, update the roads, pour more money into our students education so they aren't ranked 46 or 47th in the nation, and get with the times. If you don't see this, then perhaps this is part of the problem.