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Surfside News |
Ed "The Toll Booth"...er...Booth
You know, after carefully reading the Job Description of the Town
Administrator, no where in there could I find a description on Acting Code
Enforcement Officer. In Section, 2-113 Duties, #2, Ensure all Laws and Ordinances are
enforced. And in Section, Essential
Duties and Responsibilities, it states the administrator will investigate
complaints by citizens, businesses, etc. But no where did it state he was
the actual Code Enforcer. Those tasks are delegated to sections of the
staff, such as Public Safety. The businesses don't answer directly to Ed
Booth, there is a process for every violation of law, policy and
ordinance.
Additionally, the smoking ordinance indicates that the
individual will be held accountable and fined. The business owners will
enforce the no smoking ordinance, but can't be fined because a customer does not
want to abide by the rule. Moreover, the police will report the
incident. Now does the Town Administrator investigates
this violation? Well, looking back at his job description, he
investigates complaints, not necessarily police reports or violations of town
policy. Sure, it's his duty to Ensure all Laws and Ordinances
are Enforced. However, the mere act of Public Safety responding to
the incident is, in-and-of-itself, an enforcement of the ordinance.
The end result, Booth must realize the task is already delegated
to the appropriate department. Besides, the rest of the town needs your
attention, let public safety do their jobs while you make sure they do it
right.
If I lost any of you, try to think of it like this. If
you go into a bar and light up the crack pipe, then you will be the one fined
and most likely arrested in this case. The owner can't be held liable for
someone refusing to abide by the law, even if someone complains.
According to Booth, he'll take action if complaints are
reported to him about a business not in accordance with
the ordinance. Ignoring the process described in the ordinance, he
created his own SOP for businesses not complying. He'll send 3 warning
letters to the business and on the final one, the business will be notified that
the case will be turned over to the town attorney.
So if I call up
Eddy and tell them I saw someone smoking in a bar, then the bar owner gets a
letter? So who do I call, Public Safety or Eddy? Eddy says this is a
Civil matter, not a Criminal matter and should be handled by him, not public
safety. In this case, I guess we all have to call the Town
Administrator. After all, he did yell at sweet old Councilwoman
Tuttle, asking her if she wanted the police going into businesses and
arresting people for smoking. But didn't the ordinance say fines would be
given for violations?
Well, the way it sounds, business owners are
under the jurisdiction of the Town Administrator and will have to Pay the Piper
after the third letter, and Booth is that Piper. He seems quite determined
to keep public safety out of Surfside businesses and only deal with the owners
as violators, not the individuals. Hmm...so Family members of Surfside
Beach, you can still smoke in a bar and not get in trouble, even though the Town
Council passed an ordinance saying you will get in trouble. Instead, the
Administrator has taken it upon himself to ignore the council, of which he works
for, and say that you won't get in trouble for smoking and that it's the bar
owner who is breaking the law, not you!
I wonder if Eddy knows this
kinda undermines the authority of the Surfside council. They are the
elected officials who determine the policy and how it should be carried out;
it's the Town Administrator's responsibility to make sure the laws are
enforced...not created by the Administrator and Enforced by the
Administrator. Piece of advice, stay within the Job Description and
let Public Safety do what's delegated to them.
- Kyd
Funding Allergies
Posted: 25 Oct 2007
It appears the Family Beach is not allergic to state funds; which seems to be a common allergy to our sister beach to the north. The goal is to accept the funds we receive from the state level and not send it back. Mayor Hyman looks pretty comfortable with that check for $20,000 (or 1,366,220.00 Algerian Dinars). Thanks to State Representative Nelson Hardwick and State Senator Ray Cleary, the Family Beach will have the renovation funds needed for parking lots. Winning the small battles count and shows that we can use the support. This will only better our relations at the state level. Hardwick, Cleary...you guys ROCK!
- Kyd
The Pier
Posted: 21 Oct 2007
So what's going on with the pier? Have the Scalise Company
figured out an appraisal that's suitable to them. Didn't it start out at
$900,000 and work it's way up to $2,750,000? No matter, keeping the Pier
is the smart thing to do. It's our Landmark and has been for years.
Councilman Sammy Truett stated that, "once it's gone, it's gone." He
feared condos would be the inevitable after birth once outside investors
purchase the pier and destroy it.
For as far back as any of us can
remember, we have known the pier to be a part of the Surfside Family. So
many people visit the pier each year, and have been for countless years
before. Once again, these Landmark structures are essential aspects of our
community that help to define the Family Beach. Preserving the pier will
preserve our identity to the outside world, as we struggle to grow into our own
image.
Good luck council and good luck Ed Booth.
- Kyd Wilde
It all began with Timberland…
Posted: 13 Oct 2007
Dear Grand Strand,
The letter I’m writing you is of great importance and concerns the recent business blunder with CCU’s arena project. I beseech you to read and heed all that is mentioned. I’ve spent countless hours researching articles, reading our areas history and struggling to find answers to questions which only led to more questions and fewer answers. After I stepped back and looked at all that I had consolidated, I suddenly felt chill run down my spine. I shouted out in horror, “Dear God! The Grand Strand has been violated by perverted, I mean private, companies and LLC’s.” It didn’t just either, it’s happened before and before that. “But they said what they were doing to me was normal.” stated the benighted and blind strand leaders. The letter I write is no area of Fiction…even I cannot write such ridiculous literature. But it’s true to it’s every word. The information dates back as far back as 1995 to the present day.
The year was 1993 when the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base was closed. By 1995, a cocksure company reared it’s promise into the hearts of our Grand Leaders and State reps. The company, Timberland Properties Inc. (TPI) purchased 432 Acres of land on the former MBAFB. They sold their idea of a theme park and golf resort to the city and state, estimating the entire project at $510,000,000. Like a moth to a flame, the MB City Council hung on every word TPI had to say and stood bright-eyed over the promise of major profits. TPI was practically writing scripture for their new following.
The Isle of America Theme Park would consist of high tech rides and shows depicting different regions and era’s in American history. Excited about the coming attractions, leadership not only heated the popcorn, but they gave TPI the option to purchase 600 acres for a Golf Course. An option that TPI couldn’t refuse and eventually purchased, thus they wrote more scripture…
They were to build a 27-hole Golf Course on these 600 acres. Additionally, they would allow a 20,000-seat amphitheatre come to the land. They spoke of two Luxurious Hotels and 3,200 of the finest rooms. A decree came about, TPI foresaw the rising of Golf Villas…2,200 in all! They had foreseen a 90,000 sq ft temple, which they would use as a conference center. The profits were many, as TPI described a park generating $40,000 in taxes on a daily basis. And the people of the land, oh how words could not describe the grace of TPI – their desire to provide jobs and work for our people. They told leadership about their vision, their land would play host to 2,500 construction jobs. But many more would come afterward, a following of 5,000 permanent jobs for the chosen people. And finally, they had shared a prophecy that would come to pass, relieving leaders of any concerns. TPI confirmed the completion of the entire project by late 1997, all except the Golf Villas, of course.
Two years had passed since these nomads came to Myrtle Beach. As time approached to fulfill the prophecy, or their contract, the leaders became more restless and began to request answers to their questions. Unfortunately, the promise of a new theme park was given a reality and the hopes and dreams of the local leaders almost preferred to stay in la-la land. Reason be – in May of 1997, Timberland Properties Inc. DEFAULTED on its contract by NOT STARTING CONSTRUCTION of its theme park and subsequently declared bankruptcy for protection.
TPI claimed a mere $28K in assets at bankruptcy, reported a dept of $7.1 million and lost $5 million of their investors money. This was a tragic scene. Their stood the MBAFB, no longer innocent…its first love affair was a shallow hoax, perhaps a dare amongst mean strangers…nevertheless, the deed was left oh so dirty. Could MBAFB ever trust again? Well, the leaders of the State and City were determined to investigate after the math. State Solicitor Ralph Wilson was on the war path.
The investigation of TPI, which took place after-the-math, by state officials concluded with some haunting discoveries. First and foremost, State Officials neglected to research the developer’s before they had a chance to fail. In fact, they didn’t even research them at all. Failure to do so resulted in a failed company delaying progress on large acres of land for four years. It was evident in the report, and to city leaders, that TPI had defrauded of investors by lying about their financial backing. They never had any firm commitments from any financial backers. Even the ones they claimed to have had support from; such as (and I’m not making this up) Japanese Bankers, A Billionaire Saudi Arabian Prince, and Pop Star Michael Jackson. Lastly, it was noted in the report that just two months before TPI defaulted on their contract, the company had taken a loan out in the amount of $850K.
And that was the saga of Timberland. And yes, the Saga Continues…
In the year of our Lord 2000, in the month of July specifically…a new hope would emerge as a knight in shining armor. These chivalrous knights of the road came to town and called themselves, Coastal Arena, LCC…humph, nice name, very creative and unique. Riding on their stallions throughout the city of MB, these fortune-hunters decreed their purpose…to build an Arena on the once violated lands of the AFB. They vowed with honor that they would never need the help of public money to cover construction costs. Officer’s in the C.A. order made claim to $70 million of which they have already raised to build the arena. Alas, a noble spirit of honest deeds comes to town.
By March of 2001, leaders of the City of Myrtle Beach were not so open to simple words of promise. City Manager Tom Leath wasn’t convinced that Coastal Arena’s projections were accurate and wanted to see a FEASABILITY study that would show whether the arena would be financially sound. The King of Coastal Arena, LLC, Jeff Helsa, was offended by the good City Manager. How dare he not take the simple words of C.A. seriously! He recorded a response and sent carriers in every direction and to every town. Young boys were heard in every village calling out the kings words, “If they require a feasibility study first, forget it, I’m not going to spend $50,000 on a feasibility study unless the city makes a commitment.” The city leaders were not buying it this time…
To ease the tensions, Duane Oliver, a partner with C.A., LLC, said the “$49.6 million construction cost is based largely on the cost of a similar arena in FT. Meyers, Fla.” Wow, what an amazing job at assessing costs for our area. Their cost analysis translates to, “Well, they did it, so can we.”
More to come...but today, I have come across a lead and may be able to interview some important players concerning the arena project...
- Kyd
Minority Smokers?
Posted: 10 Oct 2007
As I was surfing the net for information on the African Sun-Bird, I
came across an article from the Sun News about the Smoking Ban.
Understanding the risk that in taking worthless information can actually
decrease intelligence, I took the chance and read the article anyway. I
was shocked at what I read about the "Minority Smokers" being bullied by a
government designed to protect minority rights. Here's what the article
reported, pay close attention to the verbiage used:
"Two months after
a Surfside Beach Town Council majority adopted a public-places smoking ban,
which took effect Monday, some South Strand smokers still see themselves as
victims of a tyrannical non-smoking majority. Rightly, they point out that
political majorities in any category have a democratic obligation to protect the
rights of minorities.
"In adopting the
ordinance, these smokers say, council members Judy Tuttle, Doug Samples, Sammy
Truett and Joseph Martin coldly suppressed their right to smoke in public, while
also stripping the owners of bars and other public accommodations to run their
businesses as they see fit. Some smokers vow to spend their entertainment
dollars in communities where they can enjoy cigarettes while dining or sipping
their favorite libations. They see the council's decision to also ban smoking in
outdoor public spaces, including the beach, as an egregious abuse of government
power."
My goodness, you'd think the Surfside Council
was establishing the Fourth Reich and sending off all smokers to undisclosed
camps behind the fire station. However, I do admire the local smokers
coming together to speak in one voice and defend their honor. Sadly,
though, smokers’ standing up for their rights is the equivalent to honor amongst
whores. No matter how you word it, you can't hide the fact that what
you're doin' is dirty-dirty. And it's getting all over anyone within a
thirty-foot radius. Now, I don't expect anyone who smokes to read this and
say, "I've been wrong this whole time...how could I have been so blind?
Today, before God I swear this creed; from this day forward I shall cease the
inhalation of any tobacco product and I thank Kyd Wilde for his enlightened
words of wisdom."
So, to better understand the situation, let me try to dumb it down
into simpler terms. Let's take the concept of smoking a cigarette and all
the issues therein, and apply it to a parallel universe where Chicken Eating
Minorities are suffering from the same Tyrannical Non-Chicken Eating
Majority. The way it works in this universe is simple, every time someone
bites into a piece of Chicken, the large amounts of grease found in the skin
squirt everywhere! And I mean everywhere. If you're sitting 8 tables
down, expect the grease to fly into your eye and all over your clothes.
Now, most people in this universe learned to accept the fact that they may get
chicken grease all over them if they go to a restaurant or when taking their
baby for a walk. However, due to the large amounts of grease consumed by
the Chicken Eater, health problems began to occur; such as, arteries clogging,
heart attack and Dunlop disease. Most are lethal but occur over many
years. Additionally, those who don't eat chicken but are subject to grease
stained hair, clothes, skin and the occasional burned retina, health studies
showed a high correlation of skin cancer and higher than usual dry cleaning
bills for those who are exposed to large amounts of Second Hand Chicken
Grease.
Now, it's not that the Non-Chicken Eating Majority
dislikes Chicken Eating Minorities; it's just that they don't like to have
chicken grease splattered all over them every time some one decides to bite into
a grease chicken when around them. Plus, every bus boy knows that
Chicken-Eating Minorities don't just throw the bones in the sand bin outside of
every restaurant...more than likely they are sweeping up chicken bones scattered
all around the parking lot. Not to mention the thousands of chicken bones
up and down the beach. Things are looking grim in this universe...but lets
go back to our own reality.
The more I think about this small group of
Smokers in Surfside proclaiming minority rights, the more I wonder if they can
relate to Martin Luther King, Jr. and his argument for minority rights.
Fortunately I'm a Master of the Obvious and the answer is, Not Even Close.
I mean, c'mon guys! All 650 of you signed the petition against the ban;
you had your chance to argue against the ordinance in a democratic way. So
now that you lost, now your saying we have to let you win. How does that
work?
Now here's were I tell you how ugly the baby
is. The article above reported that some smokers vowed to take their
business to other communities or smoke friendly establishments, and that's
fine. God Bless America for giving them that right. What is not
being recognized, I feel, is not the need to smoke, but the need for
Nicotine. If you truly desired the smoke, you could simply plug your mouth
to your exhaust pipe and puff away. But truth be-it-told, you don't crave
the smoke, you crave the nicotine. And there are other solutions...in
fact, be creative and come up with your own desperate measures. Here are a
two solutions I came up with for the smokers two more solutions I'll better
define for our minority smokers. I'm here for ya! The following
solutions are:
- Smokeless Tobacco. Chew the nicotine into your system. The preferred brand: Copenhagen, it drives the girls crazy!
- Liquefied Nicotine. Crack heads have been using this concept for decades, and so can you. Find a way to liquefy the nicotine chemical and store it inside a syringe. When the urge for nicotine occurs, simply pop your vein and insert...before you know it, the nicotine craving is gone - Magic you say? Nope, just feeding the addiction!
- Become a Minority. That's right, when all else fails, cry prejudice against your minority status as a smoker. In this left wing society, no one wants to prohibit a minority from their rights. Take advantage of the situation and be a self-proclaimed minority. Before you know it, the EEOA will have to recognize your status and you'll get better jobs through Inhalation Action.
- Head for the Boarder. It'll take you to Garden City or to Myrtle Beach, point is, bail out on all your friends and local business owners who have done nothing wrong against you. Stop giving them business because they can't accommodate your habit. Though they would love to and wish you wouldn't leave their business, just vow to spend your dollars elsewhere. It's the intelligent way to deal with your Tyrants, by purposefully hurting the business owners that had nothing to do with the ordinance. It's just like coming home and kicking the cat because your boss yelled at you. After a few minor surgery’s, the cat will get over the pain. And after the local business owners lose your dollars and struggle to pay all their loans, they'll get over the loss and understand your cause.
All-in-all, the baby is ugly and it keeps getting uglier the more
you try to convince me it's not ugly. The agreements are becoming more
desperate for smokers and their blatant refusal for the facts are
commiserable. I feel sorry for them, in the same way I felt sorry for The
Last Samurai. Not Tom Cruise, but the actual last Samurai. Smoking
is a dying breed of addiction. Cigarettes are a thing of the past.
But I tell you what, if someone can argue that Cigarettes are a great thing and
can make your health better...I promise to start smoking. But until then,
let's just change for the greater good for everyone.
- Kyd
P.S. - To my minority smokers, it's also the
Governments job to protect you from yourself. That's why they have to
outlaw drugs like, cocaine, crack, marijuana and ephedrine. Sometimes our
addiction will blind our own instinct to protect ourselves and our own
health. Something to think about...
All opinions and expressions are that of a single author and in no way
imply or reflect the concerns of the Residents of Surfside Beach, SC.
If you would like to submit a comment about an issue or suggest a
topic of interest, please e-mail the author at kydwilde@surfsidepolitics.com
with the subject line: Comment/Suggestion.