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Post by squeaky260 on Jan 12, 2009 17:58:49 GMT -6
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Post by classic53 on Jan 13, 2009 7:06:48 GMT -6
I just read the mayors letter. Interesting reading, I must say. When did the "city" host the rallies? This is new information to me. He also states that traffic and congestion during the rallies is excessive. Um, I have heard people tell me that during other holidays the traffic is horrendous! Again, what did I miss? Time to get the word out to other groups.
Ride safe and keep the rubber side down arounf the "city" 07 FLHTC rider Keith and Carol
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Post by ovation on Jan 13, 2009 18:00:37 GMT -6
I guess the good mayor has never heard of the "NO SPIN ZONE"
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Post by ghostwars on Jan 14, 2009 19:30:24 GMT -6
I've been a lurker for a while and decided to create an account. There have been a few points I've wanted to bring up. 1) There is no wikipedia article for the myrtle beach bike week. This is a good (and free) way to get information out to the public. Example: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daytona_Beach_Bike_Week2) I don't fully get the "not a dime in 09" idea. There are alot of businesses in myrtle beach that want your business. Some even have "we support the bikers" signs in their windows. These people are your allies, not your enemies. Perhaps a list of these businesses can be made and posted somewhere. 2b) The down slide of the economy has already hit the myrtle beach area hard. The snow birds didn't come down this winter and the golfers haven't booked for this spring. Many businesses need that revenue just to get them to May. Right now it doesn't look good until senior week (month) and that group doesn't traditionally spend alot of money. 3) Law Enforcement is not your enemy. Most of them ride just like everyone here. If you don't bring attention to yourself, you have nothing to worry about. The fall bike stats are almost non existence. That is why you don't see the mayor using them as a talking point. There are plenty of constitutional issues that will need to be decided by the legal system. I look forward to seeing how the courts rule on the new ordinances.
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Post by capptinkirk on Jan 14, 2009 23:04:53 GMT -6
I agree, we do have several bussiness in myrtle beach that support and count on the rallys. We need to try and support them as often as we can. We all have to work together. They are the only ones I will spend money with. The anti biker bussiness can look elsewear for income.
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Post by Pat on Jan 15, 2009 1:19:28 GMT -6
I've been a lurker for a while and decided to create an account. There have been a few points I've wanted to bring up. 1) There is no wikipedia article for the myrtle beach bike week. This is a good (and free) way to get information out to the public. Example: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daytona_Beach_Bike_Week2) I don't fully get the "not a dime in 09" idea. There are alot of businesses in myrtle beach that want your business. Some even have "we support the bikers" signs in their windows. These people are your allies, not your enemies. Perhaps a list of these businesses can be made and posted somewhere. 2b) The down slide of the economy has already hit the myrtle beach area hard. The snow birds didn't come down this winter and the golfers haven't booked for this spring. Many businesses need that revenue just to get them to May. Right now it doesn't look good until senior week (month) and that group doesn't traditionally spend alot of money. 3) Law Enforcement is not your enemy. Most of them ride just like everyone here. If you don't bring attention to yourself, you have nothing to worry about. The fall bike stats are almost non existence. That is why you don't see the mayor using them as a talking point. There are plenty of constitutional issues that will need to be decided by the legal system. I look forward to seeing how the courts rule on the new ordinances. Ghost. Howdy and welcome aboard! Wanted to reply to a couple of your points... 1. With regard to the "Not a Dime in 09", there are a couple reasons I can think of to enforce the concept equally against all businesses in Myrtle Beach, including those who are "on our side". First, to give irrefutable counterpoint to the Mayor's argument that eliminating the rallies will stimulate the Myrtle Beach economy in May (yes, he actually said that). If the bikers come down and spend like normal in spite of the abusive and heavy handed tactics of the city council, that will provide them with their "We told you so" moment and the pressure to ease the rally hostility will go away. Secondly, at the local government level, mayors and city councils are creatures of the local business structure. Voters may think they drive the ship, but we know it is the chamber that matters. If the local businesses aren't motivated to redirect their political donations and support elsewhere, nothing changes. It is a shame that those who are friendly to the cause will be hurt, but the blame for that is properly laid at the mayor's doorstep. Since the rally attendees are from out of town, dollars are the only vote they have. 2. Your comment regarding law enforcement seems to indicate you think we have expressed an anti law enforcement opinion here. We have not, and I haven't seen it. We honor and respect the fine work they do and even dedicated a page to highlighting it! We are well aware they are caught in the middle here and are (for the most part) not on board with what is happening. We certainly encourage everyone coming down to the rallies to understand that and give them a break.
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Post by freebird on Jan 15, 2009 11:19:54 GMT -6
Ghostwars Welcome to ibiker. All are welcome on this site no matter your opinions. While I do have two City businesses on the site under recommended, Dog House & Steel Horse Saloon, I do not at this time see that list expanding much. The Mayor says he speaks for the general population of MB residents. We will see if that is true come election time. The Chamber of Commerce speaks for the business community. During all of this I have yet to see The Chamber take a position in favor of the Rallies and now have joined with The Mayor in support of ending the lawfull gathering of Bikers. This says to me that the overwhelming majority of business owners do not support the Rallies. That being said if you do not support or want my business during the Rally then you do not want it at any time. I may never spend a dime in the City ever again. While I have concern and empathy for the businesses and people affected by my decision I have learned to accept consequences only that are mine. I feel that the responsibility for my decision and actions rest with the Mayor and City Council. For me Not A Dime In 09 is a reaction to the Mayor's actions.
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Post by ghostwars on Jan 18, 2009 3:49:52 GMT -6
I was in an informal meeting with a couple of MB business owners tonight. The news was discouraging as 26 MB restaurants are on the verge of going under. I fear this is just the start and more bad news is on its way.
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Post by geezer on Jan 18, 2009 5:26:45 GMT -6
Ghostwars, welcome. I would like to add a little to what has been said by Pat and freebird. Yes, there are some businesses inside Myrtle Beach city limits that have proven themselves to be biker friendly all year long and then they are some that just put up the "Welcome Bikers" sign during a rally.
The sad thing is that when councils were having meetings before these ordinances were passed, only a very few business owners even took the time to show up and speak out for themsleves. The mayor and council was planning on taking revenue away from their businesses and they didn't say anything? I still can't understand that.
As far as law enforcement, I think most of us will agree that if the laws were enforced all along, we wouldn't be having these problems now. The local members of law enforcement that I have talked to are not happy with the extra work that the city is trying to put on them. They have enough to do as it stands now. If you behave and obey the laws, you won't have any problems.
The Wikipedia page is a very good idea.
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Post by Pat on Jan 18, 2009 10:56:30 GMT -6
I was in an informal meeting with a couple of MB business owners tonight. The news was discouraging as 26 MB restaurants are on the verge of going under. I fear this is just the start and more bad news is on its way. Sorry to hear that Ghost. Seems to me the MB businesses may have hitched their wagon to the wrong horse.
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Post by freebird on Jan 18, 2009 11:07:07 GMT -6
ghostwars Would you and the business owners that you mention be willing to meet with me and a couple others ? If so hit me up at mike@ibiker.org. Thank you for your posts. They are informative. I have noticed that more restaurants closed for the winter this year and more closed earlier. In your opinion is this a true statement ?
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Post by seaside on Jan 20, 2009 23:59:30 GMT -6
Hi Guys! My computer's back from the dead - LOL! However, the City of MB Proper is still dead. Yes, Ghostwars is correct, more restaurants are closing, and many more have closed up for the winter, and remain closed as of today. This extended closing is something we haven't seen here in MB over the last 10-15 yrs. It's almost like the City of MB has been taken back in time, like when the sidewalks rolled up after Labor Day. Sure, the current state of our nation has contributed to our ghost town appearance, but the additional loss of revenue from the alienation of any tourists will likely kill off many locally owned restaurants. I'm with Pat & Mike on this one, why didn't these business owners speak up? Why not speak with their neighbor Mayor Rhodes? They pay their dues to the Chamber, which gives them a voice in this matter or should. Why didn't they talk with the Chamber on this issue? I have a theory or two on all of this - No one thought this issue would go this far - that's why they all sat back and did nothing. Now that the issue is effecting the bottom lines and has snowballed into MB's major tourist markets, during the worst economic crisis this nation has seen, NOW maybe some of these folks will stand up to the good ole boy system. Perhaps they might even discuss their concerns with their Chamber officials - the same group who spent big bucks on purchasing billboards showing how many miles you had to drive before reaching MB - yes, BILLBOARDS AS MILE MARKERS, what a concept, I thought the state already provided those.?. The Chamber and City Council are one and the same. Just look at the history, you'll find several members sitting on both boards at the same time and/or playing musical chairs between the two - if it didn't effect so many people's livelihoods, this would make a great comedy show. The businesses who support bikers rights all year round in MB Proper are caught in the middle of this mess and that's a shame. However the city officials have made it almost impossible to turn back now. PS- Pat, I love that new cat ur sporting there, he's got "tude"
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Post by ghostwars on Jan 21, 2009 21:11:43 GMT -6
I have a theory or two on all of this - No one thought this issue would go this far - that's why they all sat back and did nothing. Now that the issue is effecting the bottom lines and has snowballed into MB's major tourist markets, during the worst economic crisis this nation has seen, NOW maybe some of these folks will stand up to the good ole boy system. I think your theory might be spot on. The economic crisis has already hit this area hard. You have a number of businesses out at BATB that are months behind in their rent. In years past you saw ocean front hotels filled with snowbirds and later golfers. This year you are seeing GMs shut down their building because there is no one to fill the rooms. The few breakfast places that have stayed open have cut back to weekend hours. By the end of February we are going to see a couple of national chain restaurants close their doors here in MB. There are alot of things being discussed between business owners right now. One, are they going to bring in foreign workers this summer. With unemployment projected to hit 14% in SC this summer, there will most likely will be an influx of available cheap labor at the beach. Another issue i heard brought up a lot is what is the city going to do about all these homeless. According to a 2005 study, 64% of the homeless in Horry County live within the city limits of Myrtle Beach. Myrtle Beach also accounts for 15% of the homeless population for the state of SC. Why is this an issue? The homeless population here is exploding at an alarming rate. They stand outside of businesses and beg people for money. They break into cars, businesses, homes and project a very negative image for the city. Oh wait, it's all the bikers fault... Are the owners ready to stand up to the mayor? Honestly, I don't know. I don't know any that were passionate about getting rid of Harley Week in the first place. That all came from the mayor's vision about turning MB into "Charleston II". But you don't want to get me started onto that topic.
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Post by freebird on Jan 22, 2009 13:00:27 GMT -6
seaside Welcome back. Missed both your posts and the cat. Figured I couldn't keep up with you and Pat so I went to the dogs.LOL. Interesting info about The Chamber and Council. Doesn't sound like fair representation to me but that is for the businesses to accept or solve. Does answer some of my questions tho.
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Post by freebird on Jan 22, 2009 13:09:49 GMT -6
Ghost Where can one get a copy of the reports you are quoting from for review and study ? Thank you for the informative posts. Is the projected unemployment figures available for MB as a comparison to State numbers ? If you combine these figures with the retired people like me who do not show up in the figures Houston we have a problem.
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