Post by freebird on Oct 15, 2008 18:18:03 GMT -6
The Ad Hoc committee met with Horry County Council on October 14th. Three people from Pro Rally and Against Rally were allowed 5 minute presentations. Tom Rice gave his usual diatribe of skewed statistics which bored most in the crowd. The other two speakers shared genuine concerns altho I still ask the question as to why did you move here if you wanted peace and tranquility. I believe the Ad Hoc Committee is on the right track to make their concerns better so it is a win win.
Robert Kelly representing 80 local businesses spoke as a pro rally supporter. He spoke as to SC having the 5th highest unemployment in the nation and the Mayor is trying to drive away 500000 people who love coming here.
Sharon Kemerer spoke to the economic ramifications and was well received.
A local small hotel owner spoke as to being the face of the business the Mayors actions will likely close down. She spoke of the many friends she made and how her daughters would look forward to Bike Week. She said they were like family and even took her daughter for rides. Many did not come and many did not book for the Spring Rally.She said her prospects did not look good.
The County Council then asked for all in favor of the Rallies to stand. The room was mostly full and just about all stood up. They then asked for those opposed and a few stood. A conservative estimate would be 90% in favor of the rallies. This mirrors the newspaper survey that said 72% were in favor of the rallies.This was not lost on the council and even Brent Schulz toned it down at one point even offering to give his vendor permits to some other representative.
The Ad Hoc committee made their recommendations with regard to vendors. Cutting vendors, spreading them out more, charging different rates and putting a cap on them in certain areas. The Bird agrees with all depending on how it is done. Spreading out the vendors spreads out the bikes and the noise. It allows for more parking as well. It eases congestion as well. The vendors were broken down by zone with more discussion on October 22nd 5pm.
Towards the end Bob Grabowski received a long and loud ovation when he said he would not do anything to harm Bike Week. I was impressed with his intimate knowledge of Bike Week. I was very impressed with Harold Worley as well. He showed a genuine interest in understanding things and made a lot of sense to me.
I expect to have a more narrow response and more specific suggestions from the Ad Hoc Committee at the October 22nd meeting.
To all who made the meeting thank you so much. I was great to see such a variety of people banding together to stand up for all of our rights. I met people that were long time residents who never rode to Gold Wing groups and just about everyone in between. All agreed that this issue affects all and all need to be involved. As I said the sheer volume of people in that room in favor of the Rallies was a statement big time.
I would like to thank the Ad Hoc Committee and the Horry County Council for providing the leadership we deserve from our elected officials. Thank you for allowing public comment as this issue will have far reaching effects for many. Maybe if the Mayor had provided this same leadership the City would not be the recipient of 3 major lawsuits and a boycott of the city. 31 is still my favorite road and not a dime in 09 my favorite saying
Blessings Freebird
Robert Kelly representing 80 local businesses spoke as a pro rally supporter. He spoke as to SC having the 5th highest unemployment in the nation and the Mayor is trying to drive away 500000 people who love coming here.
Sharon Kemerer spoke to the economic ramifications and was well received.
A local small hotel owner spoke as to being the face of the business the Mayors actions will likely close down. She spoke of the many friends she made and how her daughters would look forward to Bike Week. She said they were like family and even took her daughter for rides. Many did not come and many did not book for the Spring Rally.She said her prospects did not look good.
The County Council then asked for all in favor of the Rallies to stand. The room was mostly full and just about all stood up. They then asked for those opposed and a few stood. A conservative estimate would be 90% in favor of the rallies. This mirrors the newspaper survey that said 72% were in favor of the rallies.This was not lost on the council and even Brent Schulz toned it down at one point even offering to give his vendor permits to some other representative.
The Ad Hoc committee made their recommendations with regard to vendors. Cutting vendors, spreading them out more, charging different rates and putting a cap on them in certain areas. The Bird agrees with all depending on how it is done. Spreading out the vendors spreads out the bikes and the noise. It allows for more parking as well. It eases congestion as well. The vendors were broken down by zone with more discussion on October 22nd 5pm.
Towards the end Bob Grabowski received a long and loud ovation when he said he would not do anything to harm Bike Week. I was impressed with his intimate knowledge of Bike Week. I was very impressed with Harold Worley as well. He showed a genuine interest in understanding things and made a lot of sense to me.
I expect to have a more narrow response and more specific suggestions from the Ad Hoc Committee at the October 22nd meeting.
To all who made the meeting thank you so much. I was great to see such a variety of people banding together to stand up for all of our rights. I met people that were long time residents who never rode to Gold Wing groups and just about everyone in between. All agreed that this issue affects all and all need to be involved. As I said the sheer volume of people in that room in favor of the Rallies was a statement big time.
I would like to thank the Ad Hoc Committee and the Horry County Council for providing the leadership we deserve from our elected officials. Thank you for allowing public comment as this issue will have far reaching effects for many. Maybe if the Mayor had provided this same leadership the City would not be the recipient of 3 major lawsuits and a boycott of the city. 31 is still my favorite road and not a dime in 09 my favorite saying
Blessings Freebird