Post by freebird on Mar 16, 2009 21:40:15 GMT -6
Message from the Mayor of Myrtle Beach
“Effective 2009, Myrtle Beach, SC will no longer host motorcycle rallies”
Dear Visitors,
Myrtle Beach is no longer the location for two long-running motorcycle events.
FALSE! The two long-running motorcycle events in question take place along the area known as
the Grand Strand from Little River, South Carolina to Georgetown, South Carolina and include such
other municipalities and unincorporated areas as Cherry Grove, North Myrtle Beach, Briarcliff
Acres, Carolina Forest, Socastee, Surfside Beach, Garden City Beach, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield,
Pawleys Island and Georgetown.
After many years, our residents grew weary of three weeks of noise and traffic congestion each May, and they asked
City Council to end the events.
FALSE! In June of 2008, the Myrtle Beach City Council initiated of its own volition an all-out effort to
cancel both the 69th Annual Harley Davidson Motorcycle Rally and the Annual Memorial Day Atlantic
Beach Bike Festival. No official effort has ever been made to poll area residents on this issue – and
NO effort was made to simply enforce the plentiful EXISTING laws that control noise, traffic
congestion and behavior. The effort is seen by many as a gross overreaction to a tragic murder that
took place during the Memorial Day event which it turns out was not connected in any way to
motorcycle rally participants.
As a result, the Harley-Davidson Dealers Association Spring Rally and the Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Bikefest will
not be held in Myrtle Beach.
FALSE! The City of Myrtle Beach does not and has never “sponsored”or “hosted” either of these
events and, therefore, is not in a legal position to cancel them. The name Myrtle Beach is often used
interchangeably to refer to a 60-mile stretch of the South Carolina Coast most commonly referred to
as The Grand Strand. Myrtle Beach itself is a city of about 30,000 residents along that strand – yet
almost 300,000 people reside in the entire area.
This was a difficult decision. Myrtle Beach welcomes visitors year-round, but the giant motorcycle rallies simply grew
too large. Our staff, residents and businesses strained to keep up with these huge single-focus events. It may surprise
you, but our economy is much healthier with a fully diversified visitor base, instead of a concentration on one or two
extremely large events. Please know that Myrtle Beach is not anti-biker or anti-motorcycle.
FALSE. The City of Myrtle Beach, without warning or approval, RAISED TAXES on its citizens by $1
MILLION in an effort to “end the motorcycle rallies,” and THEN went about the business of enacting
more than a dozen strict new ordinances which affect area businesses as much as visiting bikers.
We want folks to come on the vehicle of their choice and enjoy all of the things Myrtle Beach has to offer. We are
ending the motorcycle-related rallies because they grew too big and lasted too long. The huge rallies even kept visitors
away from Myrtle Beach, and that's not good.
FALSE: Few traditional “family visitors” EVER came to Myrtle Beach in May because the children of
South and North Carolina have been in school until at least Memorial Weekend.
For everyone's safety and welfare, City Council has added a few new rules and regulations. We believe these new laws
will make Myrtle Beach a safer and more friendly destination. For example, with your safety in mind, we now require
that all motorcycle riders and passengers wear a helmet and eye protection. We also have a 1:00 to 6:00 a.m. curfew
for everyone under 18. These and other rule changes are explained on this web site.
Thank you for understanding. As you know, Myrtle Beach is a great place to visit, and we welcome you at any time. I
look forward to your next visit and am confident that you will have a great time in Myrtle Beach!
John Rhodes
Mayor
Especially at our 17 Strip Joints that make MB such a Family Destination. ;D
“Effective 2009, Myrtle Beach, SC will no longer host motorcycle rallies”
Dear Visitors,
Myrtle Beach is no longer the location for two long-running motorcycle events.
FALSE! The two long-running motorcycle events in question take place along the area known as
the Grand Strand from Little River, South Carolina to Georgetown, South Carolina and include such
other municipalities and unincorporated areas as Cherry Grove, North Myrtle Beach, Briarcliff
Acres, Carolina Forest, Socastee, Surfside Beach, Garden City Beach, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield,
Pawleys Island and Georgetown.
After many years, our residents grew weary of three weeks of noise and traffic congestion each May, and they asked
City Council to end the events.
FALSE! In June of 2008, the Myrtle Beach City Council initiated of its own volition an all-out effort to
cancel both the 69th Annual Harley Davidson Motorcycle Rally and the Annual Memorial Day Atlantic
Beach Bike Festival. No official effort has ever been made to poll area residents on this issue – and
NO effort was made to simply enforce the plentiful EXISTING laws that control noise, traffic
congestion and behavior. The effort is seen by many as a gross overreaction to a tragic murder that
took place during the Memorial Day event which it turns out was not connected in any way to
motorcycle rally participants.
As a result, the Harley-Davidson Dealers Association Spring Rally and the Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Bikefest will
not be held in Myrtle Beach.
FALSE! The City of Myrtle Beach does not and has never “sponsored”or “hosted” either of these
events and, therefore, is not in a legal position to cancel them. The name Myrtle Beach is often used
interchangeably to refer to a 60-mile stretch of the South Carolina Coast most commonly referred to
as The Grand Strand. Myrtle Beach itself is a city of about 30,000 residents along that strand – yet
almost 300,000 people reside in the entire area.
This was a difficult decision. Myrtle Beach welcomes visitors year-round, but the giant motorcycle rallies simply grew
too large. Our staff, residents and businesses strained to keep up with these huge single-focus events. It may surprise
you, but our economy is much healthier with a fully diversified visitor base, instead of a concentration on one or two
extremely large events. Please know that Myrtle Beach is not anti-biker or anti-motorcycle.
FALSE. The City of Myrtle Beach, without warning or approval, RAISED TAXES on its citizens by $1
MILLION in an effort to “end the motorcycle rallies,” and THEN went about the business of enacting
more than a dozen strict new ordinances which affect area businesses as much as visiting bikers.
We want folks to come on the vehicle of their choice and enjoy all of the things Myrtle Beach has to offer. We are
ending the motorcycle-related rallies because they grew too big and lasted too long. The huge rallies even kept visitors
away from Myrtle Beach, and that's not good.
FALSE: Few traditional “family visitors” EVER came to Myrtle Beach in May because the children of
South and North Carolina have been in school until at least Memorial Weekend.
For everyone's safety and welfare, City Council has added a few new rules and regulations. We believe these new laws
will make Myrtle Beach a safer and more friendly destination. For example, with your safety in mind, we now require
that all motorcycle riders and passengers wear a helmet and eye protection. We also have a 1:00 to 6:00 a.m. curfew
for everyone under 18. These and other rule changes are explained on this web site.
Thank you for understanding. As you know, Myrtle Beach is a great place to visit, and we welcome you at any time. I
look forward to your next visit and am confident that you will have a great time in Myrtle Beach!
John Rhodes
Mayor
Especially at our 17 Strip Joints that make MB such a Family Destination. ;D