Mayor and City Council Members and City Manager participated in Municipal Association of South Carolina Annual Meeting

North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley, City Council-man Bob Cavanaugh, City Councilman Fred Coyne, City Councilwoman Nicole Fontana, and City Manager Mike Mahaney participated in the Municipal Association of South Carolina Annual Meeting held in Hilton Head, SC July 20-23.

A prevailing theme of the annual meeting was one of big cities and small towns finding success by using a variety of diverse strategies and tools to enhance what they already have, instead of embarking on drastic and costly reinvention. This preserves what is good about a community and protects against spending precious resources on impractical goals.

“This theme certainly rings true for the city of North Myrtle Beach,” said Mayor Hatley. “We are made up of four towns that joined together to preserve and grow their beach community identity, and as a City Council we continue to emphasize growth that enhances what is already good and natural about our community. We have been able to avoid the pitfalls associated with pursuing change for its own sake. As a result, North Myrtle Beach continues to experience economic and social success.”

The subject matter of the seminars in which the Mayor and City Council members participated included best practices for redevelopment, keeping residents connected to a city’s vision for the future, emerging new building codes, front line police training opportunities, an update on pending and new state legislation, breakout sessions where elected officials from various cities and towns discussed issues and challenges they face in their communities, human resources challenges in a changing world, information on the upcoming 2020 Census, and more.


The annual meeting also offered an exhibitor showcase featuring products and services designed to enhance a city’s efficiency and effectiveness.

Throughout the annual meeting, 15-minute Tech Talks addressed technology priorities for local governments.

“It’s important that we participate in these networking opportunities,” Mayor Hatley said. “Not only do we have a lot of positive experience to offer to other cities and towns, but they also have a great deal of experience and information that we can learn from and apply here at home.”

Shown left to right in the accompanying photo are City Manager Mike Mahaney, Mayor Marilyn Hatley, City Councilman Fred Coyne, City Councilwoman Nicole Fontana, City Councilman Bob Cavanaugh.

North Myrtle Beach Residents Show Appreciation for Public Safety Personnel

During the July 17 North Myrtle Beach City Council meeting, Seabrook Plantation, Barefoot Resort and other city residents gathered to express their support and appreciation for the service rendered by North Myrtle Beach, Horry County, South Carolina and Federal public safety personnel. 

In addition to City Council, also on hand for the occasion were Tom Keegan representing U.S. Congressman Tom Rice, State Senator Greg Duckworth, State Senator Greg Hembree, County Council Chairman Mark Lazarus, County Councilman Harold Worley, Horry County Police Chief Joe Hill, Horry County Fire/Rescue Chief Joseph Tanner, Horry County E-911 Director Renee Hardwick, North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce Chairman Scott Ellis, North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Director Jay Fernandez, and North Myrtle Beach Fire Chief Garry Spain. Seabrook Plantation resident Lawton Dews organized the event and spoke to those in attendance about the pride and appreciation one should feel for public safety personnel locally and throughout the country.

In the accompanying photo, residents applaud area public safety personnel in attendance at the meeting.

Brigadier General C. David Turner Visited North Myrtle Beach July 3rd to Review Beach Renourishment Plans

Brigadier General C. David Turner, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers South Atlantic Division, visited North Myrtle Beach on July 3 to review beach renourishment plans for the city.

General Turner was visiting the Grand Strand for discussions about the I-73 Interstate and beach renourishment projects.

General Turner is currently transitioning to a larger role in Washington, D.C. and we thank him for all that he has done for the city of North Myrtle Beach and the entire Grand Strand.


Shown left to right in the accompanying photo are City Manager Mike Mahaney, U.S. Representative Tom Rice, Mayor Marilyn Hatley, General Turner, and Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Brad Dean, who organized and hosted the General's visit to the Grand Strand.