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Post by rodehouse on Jun 8, 2009 20:19:49 GMT -6
Tricia, Welcome aboard and thanks for your good efforts in the cause. In as much as your goals overlaps with my own interests here, you'll certainly have support from myself and others like me. But you need to understand that NOT A DIME IN '09 was born from an entirely different perspective than the one espoused by both BOOST and HELP. For me, and many others here like me, it was not then and still is not now about bringing about a vibrant local economy in Myrtle Beach or bailing out local businesses who are suffering. Do we empathize with them (especially the smaller mom-and-pop locals)? Absolutely. Do we want to see a healthy Myrtle Beach that is a great area to visit and live? You bet. But that isn't what is primary to me, it is only a goal that does not conflict with my own. I took an immediate interest in this issue when I learned of it because what the Mayor and City Council did was blatently discriminatory and unconstitutional. It was a clear statement that "your kind isn't wanted here." It was especially galling coming from people who were attacking a 69 year tradition that predated virtually everyone alive in the city now. I am not a biker and I am not a resident. It was simply that this isn't the America I know and love. It isn't the one that our veterans have shed blood to protect and defend. It isn't the one I want to live in, and it isn't one I will tolerate. Since the overwhelming majority of those affected by the ordinances do not live in Horry County or Myrtle Beach, the ONLY means they had to express their displeasure and affect change was economic. The only vote they had then (and the only one they have now) is with their dollars. That part of the equation has not changed, and despite the movement now on the part of business owners via HELP and BOOST, nothing substantial in the situation in Myrtle Beach has yet changed. The ordinances are still on the books, the Mayor and the City Council are still in place, the lawsuits are still being adjudicated, and bikers are still being harrased, disparaged, and spit upon by the city. As long as that is the case, I see no reason why someone with an interest in simple fairness would want to return to the city, and the unspoken worry is that if we relieve the pressure too soon, we will sacrifice the modest progress that has been made towards getting rid of these odious policies. Others here have pointed out that Myrtle Beach businesses were conspicuously absent back last fall when all this spun up. Maybe they didn't try hard enough, maybe they were afraid of the Chamber, maybe they didn't think we could deliver a boycott with teeth in it. For whatever reason, it was the biker community that has been at the forefront, putting our time, resources, and money into it in the form of organizing, spreading the word, filing lawsuits, conducting protest rides, pounding the pavement, attending council meetings, and working d**ned hard to build the grass roots base that finally materialized. Frankly, from my chair it looks like it wasn't until those efforts started to gain traction that the local businesses who had an actual financial stake sat up and took notice. If it had not gained traction and the numbers for May were not off as significantly as they were, and if the Mayor had been able to deliver "heads in beds", I cannot help but believe that the same businesses joining BOOST and HELP now would have been happy to sit back and collect revenues from their new customers and leave the bikers out in the cold sucking wind. So, we aren't against you. I think you'll find us supportive as long as our goals overlap. But I think it is fair to say we (at least me personally) don't necessarily trust you either. We'll never know what would have happened if May numbers had come in bigger and the streets weren't empty. All I'm saying is that you guys are fighting the ordinances not because they are inherently unjust and undemocratic, but because they are costing people money. That's fair enough, we all have different perspectives and nothing says one is "better" than another. I'm just saying that trust is easier to lose than to regain and once someone is burned, they aren't gonna give it back too readily. Now, all that said, I DO admire your philosphy of locals helping locals through the hard times. It is that kind of community spirit that helped build this country and hopefully will help those struggling in the current economy to get through to the other side. If there had been more of that sense of community to begin with, then perhaps a small group of self-absorbed politicians would not have been able to hijack the local agenda to begin with. So, one hopes that good will come from all this and Myrtle Beach will become the welcoming destination for people of all walks of life and circumstance it has always been known to be. Win-Win if that happens. In the mean time, please don't take away from my words any hostility towards you or your efforts. Not my intent, just trying to help you understand my mindset on all this. Maybe that's just me. Again, welcome aboard and we look forward to hearing more from you and helping move the ball forward in common cause! If you would like to have your own dedicated message forum and chat room here at iBiker just drop me a note and we'll see what we can do to help. In the mean time, peace and have a great day. Regards, Pat The above expresses purely the personal opinion of the author and does not represent anyoen elses views. Your mileage may vary. This tag may only be removed by the consumer. Contents may have settled during shipment. Break only in case of emergency. Dispose of properly. Excellent post
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Post by classic53 on Jun 9, 2009 5:18:05 GMT -6
Here's a good one for you all. A person here at work is taking a vacation in a few weeks down there. I asked him if he was staying in the city of Myrtle Beach. He answered no and I asked him why. He informed me that he heard it is too rough in there!
I have never, NEVER mentioned anything to him about what we, the bikers, have been going thru down there. He heard from a family friend that the city of Myrtle Beach is just way too rough for anybody. You talk about a ruined reputation for a vacation spot. The city has done a good job of hanging themselves. I then informed him about the traffic stops they are conducting form time to time and how long people have been stuck in them.
And by the way, this person and his family are staying in North Myrtle Beach.
Ride Free and PROUD
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Post by Purple Pan on Jun 9, 2009 16:44:32 GMT -6
I think it is past time that I tell everyone the following incident we encountered this year. (Thank you all ahead of time for letting me vent) I have held in too much, too long so it will be a long vent.
While at the rally this year, on the day before Mother's day, we had a very bad experience (1st EVER) with a business. ALL other businesses we went in were thanking us for coming to the rally. But anyway back to the 1st negative experience we have encountered in 5 decades of coming to the Strand. We were screamed at by a store owner, (YES, screamed at) while in her store, all because we had on Harley shirts and were there for the rally. Let me explain. We were standing in line to pay when we overheard the cashier tell the customer ahead of us, that she had moved to Myrtle 15 years ago from Washington, DC. She stated she is the owner of the store we were in. ("The Thrift Store" on 17 near the original SBB) (For those who do not know, this store is NOT in MB)
Short version of what happened next: When it was our turn to pay, we said hello to the lady at the register. (the self proclaimed business owner) Without looking up at us, she replied back by asking "If we were there for the rally since we had on HD shirts". When we said ”Yes that we were here for the rally”, she began spitting fire like a dragon. She let us know in no uncertain terms that she doesn’t like HD bikers and that she was angry at us bikers for NOT renting rooms nor spending money in MB.
(Bear in mind, she never asked where we were staying or spending) She saw the HD shirts in front of her and went in for the attack on us ONCE she had our money in her register. (Yes, she waited to spew, AFTER we purchased from her) Go figure.
She said ALOT more and ALOT worse, than what I am about to post, but I am trying to keep it on topic. (I assure you she covered a lot of areas towards us, with her hatred towards HD bikers)
While pointing her finger at us she said: "YOU PEOPLE aren't any different than flies chasing cows with how you follow each other from one rally to another doing no good. I’ll NEVER understand YOU PEOPLE. YOU PEOPLE were supposed to have still rented the rooms and spent money anyway in the city but YOU PEOPLE didn't. THEY said YOU PEOPLE would still come and spend your money but YOU PEOPLE didn’t. I'll be so glad when YOU PEOPLE aren't here next year because YOU PEOPLE don't spend any money."
That is when I reminded her she was STILL holding my change.
I went on to remind her that my children, grandchildren and I had purchased from her the week before when I had brought my family down to Ocean Lakes. (Plus reminded her that numerous times, we had donated things to her to help her so called Christian based business) While I was reminding her of all this, she FINALLY looked up into our faces. (THAT was THE moment I had been waiting for from the moment she started blasting us for being bikers !!)
It was PRICELESS to see the look on her face when she realized we HAD been customers and donators to her business for YEARS. She quit screaming at us and became nice to us all of a sudden, of course. (but never apologized) By now we could have cared less how "nice" she became. We now knew her dirty little prejudice secret. We let her know we were going to tell her secret to any and all. So I am. (Her business has definitely been added to our Not A Dime (Or donation) EVER again list) Through her ignorant behavior tho, we learned from her that the majority of the businesses expected bike week to be “business as usual”. Full rooms and full pockets. (She said the businesses were shocked when we weren’t spending in the city)
Huh? These so called shocked people own and/or work for a business in a city that declared war on THEIR customers NATIONWIDE and they sat back silently, not doing anything about it, yet THEY expect their two wheeled customers to come and spend money with them anyway?
Didn’t the hotels have a clue due to all the cancellations and lack of reservations from us, that the two wheeled tourists were not coming to the city? Yes, of course they did. I personally know of one place in the city that took a poll of their customers everytime a cancellation came in. They wanted to know why said customer was cancelling for proof against the city. Smart thinking.
Cancellations and lack of reservations alone should have made the others take action and get off their butts and join those already fighting for the rally. I still can’t get over that one. Couldn’t the hotel owners have informed the restaurants and other local businesses about the lack of room reservations to get them concerned enough to join the fight ? Of course they could have. Then for this “business” owner to verbally attack us when she "THOUGHT" she didn't want us either because we were there for the rally?
The woman from The Thrift Store is proof, that many have cut off the hands that feed them.
I appreciate the businesses (and individuals) who have fought from the beginning and I am pulling for their success. With that said, I will not continue to come to a city (or business in ANY area) that can’t give me the same respect and DEDICATION that I gave to it for over 50 years. I used to visit at least twice, most times 3 times a month with my family, EVERY month, due to living close enough and truly loving MB. (well, the MB it used to be when the Pavilion was still there)
I stopped coming to MB months ago, when I realized: (1) that most business owners and employees did not stand up for the two wheeled tourists, nor help those that did, (2) that those who claimed to be residents were repeatedly allowed to post on local news sites things like: (a) “bump a biker win a prize”, (b) threats to throw urine on bikers and in the streets of the city so it would splash on bikers that came into “their” city, (c) threats of putting things, spit included, in bikers food if they came to “their” restaurants in the city, (d) stating they were going to put sand in the intersections to cause bikers to wreck, (and bragging to have done so in the past) (I remember alot of sand in all the intersections during one spring rally not too long ago and now question the reason it was put down and who approved it) (3) Last and most deadly of all to the businesses in MB, was when one of their idiot leaders thought it was OK to put Welcome Bikers on his business signs like usual.
IMO, and others I have talked to, THAT for a lot of people was the straw that finally broke MB’s once biker supported back.
MB councilman Wayne Gray and his “Welcome Bikers” signs at his ANTI biker restaurants is a HUGE reason why the businesses in MB took a beating. (along with the other idiot leaders antics of course)
Difference is, Wayne destroyed the TRUST factor between the biker tourist and MB businesses by claiming to be biker friendly when he isn't. It made many wonder what other businesses might follow his low down tactic come Spring rally. Months ago, we saw the pictures of Wayne's businesses welcoming bikers. Due to him doing that then (AND again this spring) how could any visiting biker REALLY trust which businesses were biker friendly in MB ? Most businesses weren’t speaking up in support of us , remember? They were silent instead. How could bikers feel comfortable eating or staying anywhere in MB anymore? They couldn’t !! And what potential tourist, hundreds, some even thousands of miles away, wants to have to read the Sun News online everyday for months on end, to see if MB, wants them or not? NONE. So simple solution. Give MB what it told us it wanted. No tourists that own motorcycles.
With leaders like MB has and that nut at the Thrift Store outside of MB, (and the way both decided to attack the biker community) why would anyone want to come to MB to spend thousands for a vacation they knew they were going to be treated like sh!t at?
Only a fool would expect those who ride to have shown up "anyway" and spent like "always" .
Fool me for 50 years, shame on you. Fool me in 09, 10 or ever again, shame on ME.
Wow, I feel better getting all that off my chest.
P.S. . Thank you to the person from BOOST who confronted Wayne at the meeting recently about his signs . Glad the video was posted online for all to see. It gives those of us from afar, HOPE, that Myrtle’s citizens will reclaim their city from their corrupt government. Bikers I know, don’t have anything against Myrtle’s citizens or its businesses, just its leadership and the few who are controlling the leaders puppet strings. Because of Wayne and people like the woman at the Thrift Store, we tourists need to be assured of who we can trust before we will ever consider visiting or spending again tho. I will look to you locals for guidance with what businesses are trustworthy in the area or are owned by those idiot leaders of MB. (All Horry county "leaders" included) Regardless the outcome, thank you for your efforts everyone. I hope to meet a lot of you in the near future.
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Post by geezer on Jun 9, 2009 18:02:56 GMT -6
Great post, Purple. I know the place that you are talking about. She and Wayne Gray are alike, they like biker money. And you made a point that I have made before, when a business puts up a "Welcome Bikers" sign does it mean that they welcome bikers or just their money. You are right, when you have slimey snakes like Wayne Gray putting up his signs, and we all know how he feels about bikers, it destroys the trust for other businesses, as well.
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Post by freebird on Jun 9, 2009 18:14:22 GMT -6
Pan From the heart girl. I would like with your permission to put a copy of this in the blogs so that it is always in plain view for all to see.I would also suggest you send it to EVERY news organization in this great land. And you are right. To that end this site doesn't take a dime from the businesses here. They are here because the DO support us. They do not just hang a sign. Got my word on it.
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Post by hdgoddess on Jun 9, 2009 18:39:47 GMT -6
Our nephew came down Friday afternoon to check in at the Landmark. Along the way he got a ticket for a noise violation,$100.00. When he told the cop he was "out of town"the cop didn't care. At 11am,he informed my nephew people were sleeping... In the COMMERCIAL section of Ocean Boulveard. He was in a ford exployer.
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Post by freebird on Jun 9, 2009 19:24:57 GMT -6
HD Was it for exhaust noise or for music ?
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Post by Purple Pan on Jun 9, 2009 21:27:44 GMT -6
Pan From the heart girl. I would like with your permission to put a copy of this in the blogs so that it is always in plain view for all to see.I would also suggest you send it to EVERY news organization in this great land. And you are right. To that end this site doesn't take a dime from the businesses here. They are here because the DO support us. They do not just hang a sign. Got my word on it. Thanks Bird ! What a compliment. Of course you can put it in the blogs. It is fine with me if everyone sends it to their friends, newspapers, etc. also. It was posted to the "world", so lets all make sure the world receives it, if you feel it can help. As far as your word goes, I already knew you were someone that could be trusted (and the others here too) Awesome people here for sure. It really feels nice to have a place like this to vent without some body kicking me because I am a biker. LOL (Edited this post to add:) Anyone sending my prior venting to the news might want to change the word "sh!t" in it, to something nicer. LOL
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Post by Purple Pan on Jun 9, 2009 22:09:29 GMT -6
Great post, Purple. I know the place that you are talking about. She and Wayne Gray are alike, they like biker money. And you made a point that I have made before, when a business puts up a "Welcome Bikers" sign does it mean that they welcome bikers or just their money. You are right, when you have slimey snakes like Wayne Gray putting up his signs, and we all know how he feels about bikers, it destroys the trust for other businesses, as well. Yeah, the business isn't much to look at for sure, but I love hunting in those type places for "treasures" from the past. Do you know the woman that told us she owns the place? You are right geezer..Just because a business puts up a sign doesn't mean the sign is telling the whole truth about the business. I and many others are very grateful to you all for exposing the truth about Wayne. Otherwise we would never have known.
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Post by seaside on Jun 9, 2009 23:06:19 GMT -6
Pan, I'm sorry you had to experience this sort of treatment here in our area. I've never seen anything like this before and I've lived here all of my life. Also as Wayne so proudly claims, my family's roots can be traced back to this area forever. Of course I don't really think that's a compliment, given the history of this area being isolated for MANY years. This might cause some family trees not to fork, if you know what I mean sorry off subject. I'm going to take you up on your offer and forward a copy of your post to all of my friends. We had a group of professionals (450-700) planning to book a conference here in MB for 2010, 2011, and 2012. Things were looking great until all of this anti-tourist action started going on. You see unknown to most of the planning committee was that many of our fellow professionals owned bikes or had friends who own bikes. Once the word spread of what happened here we started getting "location complaints", so our organization did not proceed with contracting for these conferences. I'm also upset about the posting that some SO CALLED RESIDENTS were posting on the newspaper's website. Many of those people were not even locals, if the truth were known. But I have to tell you I did have friends who experienced hostile drivers while they were just trying to make it to work on their bikes. You're also exactly on target with the statement concerning how bikers can't trust the local businesses in being honest when displaying their "welcome bikers" signs. When it comes to anything biker related, Mr. Gray is one of the most outspoken members on council. In fact, he was quoted in the local paper having said that "he would NEVER want to welcome bikers back here again", but yet he wants them to spend money in his businesses. He's now claiming that it's good business sense to welcome bikers via his sign, all while he's steadily pushing to take away their rights and run them out of town. I honestly believe he truly never thought anyone would question him on this issue. After all he is WAYNE GRAY I guess in his mind, he's just that important. So it would seem, your encounter with the thrift shop woman exposed the long held thought by our area businesses, and most certainly with Mr. Gray. The bikers will still come and spend their money with us, don't worry, we're just pleasing both sides of this issue. We'll say we tried and then it's back to normal. They should remember: - Our 15 million visitors aren't 15 million new people, they're repeat visitors who come several times during the year.
- Word of mouth has always been the most sincere form of advertising available to any business.
- Never under-estimate the power of the people. They put you in office and they can take you out of office when November rolls around.
- Bikers will always take a stand to defend their rights and the rights of others. (This one alone should have been a no brainer)
Take care Pan and be safe out there. Glad to have you on this site.
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Post by hdgoddess on Jun 10, 2009 4:21:01 GMT -6
HD Was it for exhaust noise or for music ? music
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Post by Pat on Jun 10, 2009 4:38:11 GMT -6
Pan From the heart girl. I would like with your permission to put a copy of this in the blogs so that it is always in plain view for all to see.I would also suggest you send it to EVERY news organization in this great land. And you are right. To that end this site doesn't take a dime from the businesses here. They are here because the DO support us. They do not just hang a sign. Got my word on it. Thanks Bird ! What a compliment. Of course you can put it in the blogs. It is fine with me if everyone sends it to their friends, newspapers, etc. also. It was posted to the "world", so lets all make sure the world receives it, if you feel it can help. As far as your word goes, I already knew you were someone that could be trusted (and the others here too) Awesome people here for sure. It really feels nice to have a place like this to vent without some body kicking me because I am a biker. LOL (Edited this post to add:) Anyone sending my prior venting to the news might want to change the word "sh!t" in it, to something nicer. LOL Perhaps along the way we can change Myrtle Beach to something nicer as well.
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