Post by rangemaster on Apr 4, 2012 8:07:40 GMT -6
UPDATE 4/4/2012:
There have been some rather interesting and POSITIVE developments about this in just the last couple weeks:
1. The local Harley Dealership took down all it's references to the "NEW" (expanded and overlapping) rally dates from their dealership signs about 2 weeks ago.
2. The dealerships website NOW displays the rally dates as May 14th - 27th - which means they're reflecting the ESTABLISHED/RECOGNIZED (officially by Horry County) start date (the dealership previously had it displayed as the 18th for the first day). This means the dealership is now reflecting the correct START date, just trying to extend it out from there.
3. Horry County council attempted to establish an ordinance over a month ago that would REDUCE the current vendor permit period from 7 days (May 14-20) to just 5 days, plus some other new restrictions. The first reading of the ordinance passed by a 7-4 vote - new ordinances must pass 3 readings in order to be enacted.
4. In a STUNNING development for the second reading of the proposed ordinance at the next meeting - a couple weeks ago - the proposed ordinance had been AMENDED to declare that the vendor permit would REMAIN at 7 days, setup of tents etc couldn't start until 9AM the first day but there would no longer be an official "start time", all tents must be taken down by 9PM of the last day - and it actually REDUCED the permit rates for the vendors.
NOTE: Whereas the first reading passed by a 7-4 vote, this AMENDED version ALSO passed by a 7-4 vote - 3 of the councilpersons actually REVERSED their previous vote to become more FAVORABLE to the rally.
5. Last night was supposed to be the 3rd and final reading/approval of the (amended) ordinance, but the council realized the amendment required review by the planning committee due to zoning factors of the ordinance. The planning committee meets tomorrow, and the final vote should be at the council's next meeting in 2 weeks.
BOTTOM LINE: unless something else changes, the final result will be that the rally will officially be recognized as May14-20 and vendor/special event permits will be for those dates, and the vendors may actually be tempted to come/return due to the reduced rates. Behind the scenes, it appears the county has decided to actually recognize, regulate, and manage the Harley Rally in a reasonable and sensible way.
The local Harley Dealership - though they ALONE caused this entire controversy - may still be able to simply accomplish their desired overall effect, by simply pursuing/getting TWO sets of permits = a set of 7-day permits for the Harley Rally, then another set of permits starting a couple days later for the Atlantic Beach BikeFest (which is what the TRUE problem and concern has been all along for the City of Myrtle Beach, Horry County, AND those local persons/groups who have shown opposition to the so-called "Bike Weeks".
I'll keep this forum updated regarding the further developments...
There have been some rather interesting and POSITIVE developments about this in just the last couple weeks:
1. The local Harley Dealership took down all it's references to the "NEW" (expanded and overlapping) rally dates from their dealership signs about 2 weeks ago.
2. The dealerships website NOW displays the rally dates as May 14th - 27th - which means they're reflecting the ESTABLISHED/RECOGNIZED (officially by Horry County) start date (the dealership previously had it displayed as the 18th for the first day). This means the dealership is now reflecting the correct START date, just trying to extend it out from there.
3. Horry County council attempted to establish an ordinance over a month ago that would REDUCE the current vendor permit period from 7 days (May 14-20) to just 5 days, plus some other new restrictions. The first reading of the ordinance passed by a 7-4 vote - new ordinances must pass 3 readings in order to be enacted.
4. In a STUNNING development for the second reading of the proposed ordinance at the next meeting - a couple weeks ago - the proposed ordinance had been AMENDED to declare that the vendor permit would REMAIN at 7 days, setup of tents etc couldn't start until 9AM the first day but there would no longer be an official "start time", all tents must be taken down by 9PM of the last day - and it actually REDUCED the permit rates for the vendors.
NOTE: Whereas the first reading passed by a 7-4 vote, this AMENDED version ALSO passed by a 7-4 vote - 3 of the councilpersons actually REVERSED their previous vote to become more FAVORABLE to the rally.
5. Last night was supposed to be the 3rd and final reading/approval of the (amended) ordinance, but the council realized the amendment required review by the planning committee due to zoning factors of the ordinance. The planning committee meets tomorrow, and the final vote should be at the council's next meeting in 2 weeks.
BOTTOM LINE: unless something else changes, the final result will be that the rally will officially be recognized as May14-20 and vendor/special event permits will be for those dates, and the vendors may actually be tempted to come/return due to the reduced rates. Behind the scenes, it appears the county has decided to actually recognize, regulate, and manage the Harley Rally in a reasonable and sensible way.
The local Harley Dealership - though they ALONE caused this entire controversy - may still be able to simply accomplish their desired overall effect, by simply pursuing/getting TWO sets of permits = a set of 7-day permits for the Harley Rally, then another set of permits starting a couple days later for the Atlantic Beach BikeFest (which is what the TRUE problem and concern has been all along for the City of Myrtle Beach, Horry County, AND those local persons/groups who have shown opposition to the so-called "Bike Weeks".
I'll keep this forum updated regarding the further developments...