Had to share. Spotted over at reddit (original link): When laws on a people are taken too far Those people desire a wholly new start These people, therefore, must break free of their bonds These people, therefore, from their yoke must abscond Some truths, we now find to be perfectly clear That all men have rights that are equal their peers That among these a man can his freedoms pursue Happiness, Life, and Liberty, too That a government tuned to this set of ideals Must be made of these men and must hear their appeals That should their law structure deny their consent, If that State body would try to prevent These God-given freedoms bestowed by his grace, These people rise up, and this structure replace, A new one with these ideals as its foundation As is proposed in this here Declaration Now surely this action is not taken lightly The true consequences may yet be unsightly But evils pervade, past the reach of a cure Impressed on the people who cannot endure The suffering, usurping, a list of abuses Exceed toleration, despite the excuses. The action required's severe, but it's true, though, To seek revolution, it's duty to do so The cast off the Governments tyrannic chains To emigrate from their unjust kingly reigns The King of Great Britain, who's seated at present Who cares not at all for colonial "peasants" These principled actions he's simply dismissed To support our cause, we've provided a list: He has withheld his own Royal Assent Restricted the reach of his split Government Continues to propagate new Legislation While all of the Governed lack Representation Convened legislators across countless leagues So that their compliance would stem from fatigue Disbanded challenging advocate Houses This tyrannic message is all he espouses Blocks re-election of vacated seats Blocks them through force, apathy, and deceits He stopped the formation of powers Judicial Colonial law is by no means official Judges that sit must serve only the Crown Assigned local Hands that feed on our towns Despite new found peace, for King's own intent He's placed Standing Armies here sans our Consent Their quartering shifted to citizens' homes No recompense save a few broken bones Standing above the laws of the Civil All while the last of our freedoms now shrivels He shields these armed men should they break any laws From mischief to murder, escape without pause No trial by jury and halting our trade Issuing new tax that cannot be paid Deporting the people for pretended crimes Removing the structure from laws as defined Forbidding our Charters, our laws, and our forms Ravaging coastal towns worse than the storms He hires new sellswords to serve as his hand We're no longer people, not by his commmand We've asked for Redress by the means of petition These formal requests he received as sedition Unwarranted is this control on this land To the extent that he's issued demands We came to these shores seeking freedom and solace But under his rule, we'd be better served lawless And so we announce now our land's Separation Heed now the words of our bold Declaration The colonies gone, and instead in their place We write these here words as the united States We have our demand that shall mark our ascendance We call for our freedom, and our Independence. Continue reading

Thursday’s second editorial takes on a more obscure topic: Fighting invasive species in South Carolina: Students of S.C. agriculture know all too well the frustrations and problems brought to the South by the invasive kudzu bug. The Asian insects, which were first discovered in the U.S. in 2009, emit a foul odor and a stinging chemical. In colder months they can invade homes and vehicles. They feast on legumes such as soybeans and can reduce a farmer’s soybean yields by as much as 60 percent. Because they have no natural predators, the bugs have flourished in the South and can now be found in every county in the Carolinas and Georgia. But scientists have a plan: release the bugs’ Asian predator, a tiny parasitic wasp that lays its own eggs inside the kudzu bugs’ eggs, destroying their embryos. Researchers at Clemson and other regional universities planned to ask for permission this week to introduce the wasp. We’re not entomologists, but plans such as these always seem overripe for mistakes. Some might recall the similar attempts of Australia at biological control. Three thousand South American cane toads, in one example, were released on the island continent in 1935 in a plan to control the cane beetles that were hurting sugarcane plantations. The problem? Nothing wanted to eat the poisonous cane toads. Today there are millions upon millions of the toads forcing out native species and Australia is in the midst of putting up toad fences to keep the pests from spreading further. Will this introduction be more successful? Hopefully. Scientists say the wasp they plan to release is nonstinging and harmless to humans and animals and it has undergone extensive testing for environmental safety. That has us feeling a little more optimistic, but this is one of those decisions that cannot be undone. Once released, there’s no putting the wasps back in the bottle. We certainly hope the researchers know what they’re doing. Continue reading

Thursday’s first editorial celebrates the fact that we made it through one of our two major spring rallies with no fatalities (first time I can remember that happening): On average 201 motorcyclists are injured during the spring rallies. Seven will die. Half of all annual traffic fatalities in Myrtle Beach occur during the two-week bike rallies. No amount of blood money for the few justifies this cost in human suffering. – Oct. 12, 2008, letter by Myrtle Beach resident Tom Rice, before he became Horry County Council chairman or U.S. congressman For years, those who oppose Myrtle Beach’s bike rallies have pointed to the annual loss of life that accompany them as one of the primary reasons to end the annual gatherings. It’s been years since a spring rally has taken place without leaving behind a family grieving the loss of a loved one. But this past week offered the hope that it might actually be possible to invite thousands upon thousands of motorcycles to the area without knowing that someone will die as a result. What made the difference this year? Was it the good weather? Was it smarter riders? Was it more attentive drivers? Was it our well-prepared and fast-acting law enforcement? Nobody’s quite sure. Perhaps a fortunate combination of all of those, with a sizable helping of good luck. Whatever the reason, now that we know it’s possible, it’s a result that we hope continues year after year. But we’re not counting our chickens quite yet. No, we’re knocking on wood, crossing our fingers and wearing our luckiest ties. When a pitcher has a perfect game going in baseball, the rest of the team refuses to talk to him for fear of jinxing it or getting in his head. We’re tempted not to call up the police for the next few days if that’s what it’ll take to keep this streak going. Because the rallies continue, with no rest for public safety officials. Thousands more bikers will be roaring into town this weekend for Atlantic Beach’s Bikefest. Many have already started showing up. Can the area make it through another weekend with no fatal motorcycle crashes? Please. Drive safe out there. Look twice – or three times – before pulling out into traffic. Budget a little extra time to get to your destination. Rallies shouldn’t mean somebody’s death; let’s make sure they don’t this time. Continue reading

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Wednesday’s editorial: Gloria Calverley of Little River knows that it doesn’t take a lot of time or effort to show patriotism, and she has taken charge of helping her community of Heather Lakes set an example on Memorial Day. For the second year, motorcyclists will ride through Heather Lakes in a “Roaring Tribute” prior to a light breakfast and ceremony at the Heather Lakes clubhouse. The Heather Lakes ride is organized by Kris Tourtellotte, director of the Veterans Welcome Home & Resource Center. After Heather Lakes, a second ride will go to Memorial Gardens for the annual Memorial Day ceremony there. In Heather Lakes, off U.S. 17 at the north edge of Little River, the motorcyclists will stop briefly at the home of retired Air Force general Howard Alsop. “Last year, we rode by the general’s house; this year we’re going to stop and salute him,” Tourtellotte says. The motorcyclists will ride through a “Pathway of Honor” of U.S. flags displayed approximately every 10 feet from the entrance off U.S. 17 into the community. Resident Fred Pitre will lead the ride on a decorated dune buggy. The breakfast also is a fundraiser for the center; food is donated and residents pay for breakfast. Last year the breakfast raised $1,000 for the center. “We are very grateful to our veterans and soldiers,” Calverley says, noting the community includes several retired military families. Her husband, Clifford, is a retired Army sergeant first class who served two tours in Vietnam. Three sons served in the military and their eldest grandson is a career soldier just back from Afghanistan. “It doesn’t take much to put up a flag, or tell a veteran ‘Thank you for your service,’” she says. It’s a patriotic point well taken, and especially during the next several days. ‘Roaring tribute’ Monday ride Motorcyclists are welcome to join the “Roaring Tribute” in Heather Lakes May 27. 8 a.m. - Meet at Jays, Little River 8:20 a.m. - Ride to Heather Lakes 9 a.m. - Short ceremony, Heather Lakes clubhouse 10:50 a.m. - Ride from Beach Customs to Memorial Garden --- Injured combat veterans in rehabilitation at military medical centers in the Washington area and North Carolina arrive Friday for a holiday visit to the area and participation in Military Appreciation Days in Myrtle Beach. A welcome party is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday at the 2001 Night Club on Lake Arrowhead Road, Myrtle Beach. Sharon Russell, coordinator of Operation Welcome Home of Myrtle Beach, says about three dozen veterans are expected from the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Md., and medical centers at Fort Belvoir, Va., and Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. The wounded warriors visit is again compliments of Christina Shealy’s Scents for Soldiers, a 501(c)(3) organization she formed after a visit to the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. The name comes from holiday scents such as pumpkin pie. Since the first visit three years ago, Shealy has had tremendous support from many businesses and organizations. One prime example is the Grand Strand Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, which is again sponsoring a float for the visiting veterans in the parade on Saturday. “They really enjoy being in the parade,” says MOAA chapter Roger Pilcher. MOAA is also sponsoring two breakfasts. A day on the water is scheduled Sunday, provided by Tammie Boger’s Adventure Cruises of Garden City Beach. The visitors will be at the Memorial Day Ceremony Monday and a goodbye party at the Beaver Bar in Murrells Inlet with catering by Texas Roadhouse. A tip of the hat to Shealy and the many sponsors who make the visits happen. Other sponsors, Scents for Soldiers City of Myrtle Beach, rooms at Sheraton Coastal Carolina University Athletic Department, bus and driver A & I Fire & Water Restoration, underwriting cost of the MOAA float in parade United Services Automobile Association, grant for MOAA breakfasts Legends in Concert Sons of Italy Dunkin’ Donuts Continue reading

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Just in my email: MAY 21, 2013, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MYRTLE BEACH PELICANS PARTNER WITH LEGENDS SALES AND MARKETING TO SELL BALLPARK NAMING RIGHTS The Myrtle Beach Pelicans announced today they have retained Legends Sales and Marketing (LSM) to exclusively sell the naming rights to Pelicans Ballpark. In addition to the ballpark’s naming rights, LSM, will also develop and identify new sponsorship opportunities and partners for the Club. Continue reading

Tuesday’s editorial, on efforts to limit risky sexual behavior by teens: Forrest Alton has a message for Horry County: “Pay attention.” The CEO of the S.C. Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy is hoping to build up an Horry County that takes the issue of teenage preganancy and risky sexual behaviors seriously and isn’t afraid to step in when needed. The group, which began five years of intensive federally-funded work in Horry County back in 2010, has been directing much of those funds into current programs through a network of community partners. The idea, Alton said last week, is to spark a change through existing programs rather than spend five years building something new and then simply abandon it when the federal grant runs out. The effort has already borne welcome fruit, with the county’s teen pregnancy rate down 30 percent from 2009 to 2011, from 50.1 pregnancies for every 1,000 teens to 35.1 for every 1,000. But the work to limit risky sexual behavior in teens is far from over, and while pregnancy rates have dropped, other rates are heading the other way. The 2011 Youth Risk Behavior report by the state’s Education Department, released last year, shows that after years of declines, many rates are starting to creep higher again, an alarming reversal. Among those that were higher than recent years: The percentage of students who have ever had sex (56.6 percent), the percentage who had sex for the first time before age 13 (10.5 percent) and the share that is currently sexually active (41.8 percent). Meanwhile, other numbers that we’d like to see go up instead went down, among them the percentage of sexually active students who use condoms (57.5 percent) or birth control pills (17.4 percent) and the number who have been taught in school about the danger of AIDS or HIV (81.1 percent). And the results are showing. Teenagers make up a small part of South Carolina’s overall sexually active population, but they account for 37 percent of the state’s new Chlamydia cases and 32 percent of the new gonorrhea cases. Why highlight those statistics in an editorial about teen pregnancy? Because risky sexual behavior has all sorts of unintended outcomes for teenagers, and to their credit, the good folks at the S.C. Campaign are interested in preventing all of them. The goal, as Alton and other staff members put it, is to both remind teenagers of their potential and that the actions they take now can have life-changing consequences. That’s where Alton is looking for help from the community as a whole, not necessarily to step in and have a sex talk with teenagers, but in many cases just to take an interest in their future. Asking a high schooler a simple question like, “where are you headed to school?” he pointed out, can help remind them that they do want more from life. Pregnancy (or any unwanted result of sex) can quickly put a damper on those hopes. Taylor Wilson, a staff member concentrating on the Horry County effort, put it this way: “Teen pregnancy prevention is about looking at a teen and saying, ‘You’re worth your dreams.’” The group will be focused hard on Horry County for another two and a half years, attempting to build up that community spirit that embraces teens and encourages them to reach higher. We sincerely hope that residents take the message to heart. Continue reading

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Sunday’s editorial takes a look at Horry County’s proposed ordinances regulating adult businesses (including a quick box with highlights of the proposed rules at the bottom of the editorial): How serious is Horry County Council about cracking down on adult businesses? They had not one, not two, but three lawyers in attendance ready to speak on the issue at Thursday’s meeting of their Infrastructure and Regulation committee. One – lawyer Scott Bergthold of adultbusinesslaw.com – was even flown in from his home office in Chattanooga, Tenn., to help draft the county’s proposed ordinances and brief council members. In other words, this isn’t simply a fleeting interest for Horry County leaders. How much of an impact would the changes have? Bergthold said Thursday that none – not a single one – of the adult businesses in unincorporated Horry County would fit the new rules. As a result, after a 90-day grace period when the rules go into effect, every single one of them would have to pull up stakes and move elsewhere. The heart of the rules is the distance requirement that would keep adult businesses – theaters, bookstores, shops and clubs – at least 1,500 feet from a whole slew of sensitive areas. Bergthold, whose law firm has helped “stringently regulate” adult businesses in dozens of states, told council members Thursday that 1,500 feet is among the longest buffer requirements he’s worked with, but “I believe it’s defensible.” First Amendment advocates such as ourselves agree that there’s a place for such expression and such businesses. But that doesn’t mean that they should not be regulated or that they don’t carry with them, as the proposed ordinances put it, “deleterious secondary effects.” Those can include drugs, prostitution, violence and more, problems that are all too familiar to local police. Horry County Police Chief Saundra Rhodes was at Thursday morning’s meeting and told county attorney Arrigo Carotti afterward that she was interested in making sure she had a “say-so in this.” The proposed regulations would be welcome for two reasons: First, the current locations of many – especially along U.S. 501 – lend a decidedly seedy feel to the area as visitors drive in. Cleaning up the Strand’s main entrance would be a refreshing change and help make the best first impression possible upon the tourists that our region depends on. (And it’s worth noting that because of doughnut holes in Myrtle Beach city limits, even the adult businesses on U.S. 501 inside “Myrtle Beach” are actually regulated by the county, not the city.) Secondly, the rules that would require five years of clean criminal records for employees and business owners would be a boon for police, banning, for example, dancers who have been recently convicted of prostitution and making it easier to shut down businesses that have a history of criminal activity. The very earliest the county’s ordinances could pass, based on the dubious assumption that there are no hiccups or delays along the way, would be toward the end of July. That’s when the real fireworks will likely start. With businesses facing relocation and strict new rules, there’s little doubt that lawsuits will quickly follow. The county is already facing one, from the owner of the Gold Club Gentleman’s Club, who has been turned down for a license to open what he says will be a new restaurant and bar in Restaurant Row. If these ordinances are passed, more will no doubt follow. “This is going to be resolved in litigation,” said Bergthold on Thursday. That means more legal costs to be borne by the county, as well as time and energy resources that might have been put to use elsewhere, but the outcome should be worth the effort. We hope other municipalities are paying attention. Myrtle Beach – which has a 500-foot buffer requirement for adult entertainment establishments – has no current plans to update its ordinances, spokesman Mark Kruea said on Thursday. And North Myrtle Beach doesn’t even have any adult businesses right now, said spokesman Pat Dowling. Atlantic Beach does have some, but as they’re also among their highest taxpayers left, we doubt that the town has a strong interest in ruffling their feathers. If Horry County succeeds, some businesses may be looking for new places to locate, and local cities should be prepared to have discussions of their own on what limits they want to place on such businesses. At a glance Horry County’s proposed new rules for adult businesses would apply to adult bookstores, adult theaters, novelty shops and strip clubs: No business can be within 1,500 feet of homes, churches, day care centers, schools, parks, libraries, cemeteries or theaters that show G or PG movies. No adult business can be within 1,000 feet of another adult business. All adult businesses and their employees must be licensed by the Horry County chief of police. Licenses would require clean criminal records for the past five years and adherence to the location requirements for the business. No adult business can be open between midnight and 6 a.m. Fences or walls that prevent the parking lot from being visible are not allowed. No touching between customers and dancers. Sets light and space requirements for establishments. Continue reading

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Saturday’s guest editorial comes via the Baltimore Sun: In Washington, as in any seat of power, most acts of folly begin with hubris. Government leaders, elected or appointed, usually don’t intend to do the wrong thing, to overstep or cause harm, but they become so convinced, so certain of their purpose, that they are blinded by their pride. Perhaps that’s the root of the problem infecting the Justice Department, where officials secretly obtained months of telephone records of journalists working for the Associated Press. That Attorney General Eric Holder or anyone else there could find that action acceptable is frightening, to say the least. When the AP’s president calls this episode a “massive and unprecedented intrusion” into his news-gathering operation, that’s no mere hyperbole. This wasn’t some straightforward, above-board effort, some court-based fight over a subpoena of records or notes made in full public view. That sort of thing happens all the time. This was a clandestine fishing operation covering cellphones, office and home phones of not only reporters and editors but of multiple bureaus and general switchboard numbers. The AP was never alerted about the records request in advance. Why would the Justice Department engage in such a direct assault on the freedom of the press? Officials at the AP speculate that it’s related to the news agency’s reporting of a failed al-Qaida plot last year. Granted, the Obama administration has a right and responsibility to investigate incidents where classified information is illegally obtained (and has taken heat in the past from GOP leaders in Congress over such leaks to the press). But this latest investigation seems to be part of a pattern of aggressively going after whistle-blowers – to a degree far beyond what previous administrations have sought to do and with little care about First Amendment protections. Add this to the recent revelation of officials at the Internal Revenue Service targeting tea party-affiliated groups with added scrutiny in reviewing requests for nonprofit status, and there’s a troubling pattern – a lack of interest in basic constitutional rights. The White House has denied knowledge of either incident, but that does not absolve it of responsibility. The phone records case is more than some dust-up between Mr. Holder and a group of professional journalists. (Although formerly a member of the Associated Press, The Sun no longer has direct ties to it.) Rather, this is about the rights of all Americans. If an administration can seek such a large amount of records revealing such critically important details about how news organizations gather material, what’s to stop this or any other White House from taking a similar tack in response to criticism in the press? They need only find an excuse, a leaked document, perhaps, and then get the phone number of every person that organization has contacted from weeks or even months at a time. That would not just have a “chilling” effect on news gathering, it would have a subzero effect. Could Watergate have been reported if the Nixon White House had its hands on every telephone call that came in or out of The Washington Post? What about The New York Times and the Pentagon Papers that revealed so many lies about the Vietnam War? If the Obama administration wants to look over the shoulders of its employees at the Central Intelligence Agency or elsewhere in government service, that’s its right. Prosecutors must be free to do their jobs. But to spy on journalists or any other American without cause should not be regarded as acceptable. This isn’t that difficult a line to draw. The burden should always be on the government to prove its need for information that isn’t available through any other means. Until that happens, the Justice Department should, as the AP has requested, return or destroy all copies of those phone records. Enough damage has been done by the administration’s actions already. Continue reading

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Today's the anniversary of the landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education case that led to desegregation of the nation's schools. South Carolina doesn't particularly take kindly to being told what to do, however. So how long did it take for that change to actually trickle down this way? Well, Myrtle Beach didn't enroll its first black students at Myrtle Beach high school until September 1965. And all of South Carolina schools weren't integrated until 1970. And that's certainly not the end of the story. As I pointed out just last month, some vestiges of segregation lasted until recent decades. Our metro editor covered the segregated prom down in Georgetown County when he first got to the area. And he tells me (though I haven't checked it for myself) that though Carvers Bay High School was formed from the merger of Choppee (the historically black high school) and Pleasant Hill (the white one), the result was noticeable white flight that has left Carvers Bay once again "the black high school" in the region. Oh, the silly things we do. Continue reading

Friday’s editorial is a decent reminder as we get closer to our peak beach/outdoor season: The phrases should go without saying: The beach is not your ashtray. Litter is everybody’s business. The river is not a garbage disposal. Trash goes in the trash can. And yet we must say them. And say them again. And apparently say them again. As The Sun News reported on Tuesday, volunteers with the Ocean Conservancy picked up nearly 10 tons of garbage from South Carolina’s beaches back in September. (They picked up more than 200 tons in North Carolina.) Last month, more than 200 big-hearted folks collected more than 4 tons of trash from the waterways around Murrells Inlet. Myrtle Beach spends $1.1 million a year just to keep its stretch of beach clean for its residents and visitors. And just Thursday, Horry County Parks and Recreation Director Brent Taylor used trash to illustrate a point to County Council members about the demand for boating in the county. Don’t believe that plenty of people use the county’s boat ramps? “Look at the trash left behind after a big weekend,” he said. Why should you care? Everything flows downstream, and it all carries a cost, whether it’s in the tax money spent by coastal municipalities to clean their beaches, the cost of water treatment facilities to deal with polluted groundwater or rivers, or even lost benefits from wildlife that slowly disappears because of human indifference. What can you do? Once again, the most obvious step should go without saying: Put your trash where it belongs. Beyond that, residents can help with cleanup projects that take place throughout the area. Adopt a boat landing through the Waccamaw Riverkeeper. Report drivers and others who litter. If community spirit and common sense don’t sway litterers, inform them of the stiff penalties for those who trash our state: At minimum, $200 per incident, with the possibility of mandated community service or even jail time. It’s in all of our interests to protect the place in which we live and play. It’s the foolish bird that fouls its own nest. And so -- even though it should go without saying -- we’ll say it one more time: Put the trash in the trash can. Even cigarette butts count as litter. Don’t trash our communities. Continue reading

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Just got back from a meeting of Horry County's Infrastructure & Regulation Committee, where among other things they talked about proposed rules that could force out all existing adult businesses in unincorporated Horry County. How? By adding a new layer of rules, including one that would require such businesses to be located at least 1,500 feet from homes, churches, schools, parks and any other property they deem "sensitive areas." The proposal still must go to the full County Council, then the Planning Commission, then back to County Council, but it's certainly interesting. Just got the actual wording of the pair of ordinances that would accomplish such a feat. Want to help me go through the fine print to pick out issues? Check them out and let me know what you think: Download Adult Entertainment Licensing Ord Download Adult Entertainment Zoning Ord.5.16.13 Continue reading

Ever want to say something about Atlantic Beach’s latest predicament, but weren’t sure what? Thursday’s editorial offers help: If Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes were arrested, or Conway Mayor Alys Lawson, or Surfside Beach Mayor Doug Samples, our newsroom would quickly shift into overdrive. Reporters and photographers would be sent to dig up background. Front pages would be redesigned. Sources would be mined for information. Competition would be fierce for every nugget of information. Articles and editorials already in the works would be moved to the back burner to fit in news and commentary on the arrest. When Atlantic Beach Mayor Retha Pierce was arrested – again – this past week, the reaction around here was a bit more muted. Rather than “Oh my God!” it was more of an “Oh, her again?” We’ve written so many times about the leadership woes of Atlantic Beach over the years that frankly it’s becoming hard to get real worked up about the latest indiscretion by Pierce or her compatriots in town. We imagine readers are becoming just as tired. With that in mind, we hope to save you some time. The following editorial attempts to fill the bill for the next few scandals that will no doubt hit the town. Cut it out, save it, perhaps make a few copies, and just circle the appropriate word choice when the next Atlantic Beach disgrace hits. The all-purpose, one-size-fits-all, do-it-yourself, generic Atlantic Beach editorial: It’s another frustrating time for Atlantic Beach residents, who just can’t seem to catch a break when it comes to their leadership. The recent (arrest / outburst / fraud) of the town’s (mayor / council member / manager / police chief) is just the latest in what has become an unending string of embarrassing episodes for the small town. Readers who have been paying attention will remember only too well the previous (lawsuit / shouting match / abuse of power) perpetrated by those nominally leading the town, and the latest incident is only another black eye for a town already sorely beaten. They all come, it must be pointed out, as the town continues to struggle on with an election still unsettled almost (6 months / 12 months / 18 months) after the first votes took place. The real losers in such chaos are the residents, who must live with leaders that seem incapable of fulfilling their primary duty: leadership. While those tasked with directing the town’s future bicker about their positions and the latest conspiracy theory that says the town is being threatened by (the solicitor / state lawmakers / developers / North Myrtle Beach), those who live in the town wonder why their tax money has disappeared and basic services such as police protection, code enforcement and financial oversight have fallen by the wayside. Indeed, even after the (governor / treasurer / solicitor) stepped in and attempted to restore order, the town has devolved once more into what seems to be its natural state these days: (confusion / turmoil / chaos / anarchy). And though reforms were promised, council members have reverted to their foolish practices of filing frivolous suits against (each other / the town / local enemies) and appointing (friends / business partners / relatives) to beneficial boards and positions to the detriment of their relationships with other leaders and the town as a whole. We continue to wish the best for the town, which has a proud history and heritage that deserves better than it has received. But as year follows year with little if any improvement, with (arrest after arrest / lawsuit after lawsuit / election after election) our hopes and our patience ebb bit by bit. We’ve said it before – and we’ll no doubt say it again – but there seems little prospect of the town fixing its own problems. Outside help is sorely needed. It’s past time for (the governor / state lawmakers / the attorney general) to step in, roll up those sleeves and get to work cleaning up Atlantic Beach. Otherwise, we can just expect more of the same. And nobody wants that. Continue reading

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Since we're a family newspaper, I hesitated to put this cartoon in the print edition, but I found it humorous enough to share: Continue reading

Wednesday’s editorial is a peek inside the workings of the local mental health agency, which shamefully is funded by two of the three counties it represents (Georgetown and Williamsburg) but not by Horry County (where most of its emergency cases come from). But I digress. That’s not really what the editorial’s focused on: Maintaining appropriate body weight and handling personal finances are typically concerns of folks who have mental illness and are going through recovery, so those topics will be covered at the first recovery conference of the Waccamaw Center for Mental Health. “It’s a new deal for us,” – and an event envisoned as happening in future years, says Linda Wright of the Waccamaw Center. The conference at the center in Conway is hosted by the Client Advocacy Council, made up of 13 clients and an advocate for mental health in the three counties (Horry, Georgetown, Williamsburg) served by the Waccamaw Center. Wright, director of ancillary services for the center, serves as the council’s staff facilitator. Registration is required and is still open. Wright anticipates about 50 participants. The conference is open to family members and friends of persons who have mental illness and are in recovery. The workshops begin at 10 a.m. on “Managing Your Weight Effectively” and “Budgeting Personal Finances” as well as a personal recovery story. Luncheon follows the workshops and will feature a motivational speaker. The Waccamaw Center is one of 17 in the S.C. Department of Mental Health and has clinics in Georgetown and Kingstree as well as in Conway. The Waccamaw Center receives funding from Georgetown and Williamsburg counties, but not Horry County though Horry County is where most of the center’s mental health emergencies occur. Financial support from counties was one of the subjects addressed by department director John H. Magill in a wide-ranging discussion last week with The Sun News editorial board. “We need more assistance from the counties,” Magill said. Ethel B. Bellamy, executive director of the Waccamaw Center, noted that the center she directs is the largest in South Carolina because of the vast geographic size of Horry County. Funds from Horry County Schools also stopped four years ago, although the center continues school programs. Bellamy pointed out that the center’s upcoming conference is client-driven – “suggested, requested and hosted” by the Client Advocacy Council. “They want to know more about gaining independence and how family members can help.” The conference is “part of the recovery process – support for growth and recovery.” Bellamy says recovery conferences have been held in a couple of Upstate centers such as the one covering Spartanburg and Greenville. Bellamy was the center’s assistant director prior to being named executive director six months ago. She has three decades of experience in the Department of Mental Health, working in direct client care and a number of supervisory positions. Bellamy is from Pawleys Island and lives in Georgetown. She enjoys her daily commute (usually via U.S. 701) to Conway. Of mental health care, she says: “It is my passion … It is my passion.” Recovery conference What | “Traveling the Path to Recovery” – for individuals, family members or friends who have mental illness and are in recovery When | May 21, workshops start at 10 a.m. Where | Waccamaw Center for Mental Health, 164 Waccamaw Medical Park Drive, Conway Registration | Contact Linda Wright at the center, phone 843-347-5060, ext. 223 Continue reading

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