Frontier Communications Invests $150,000 in North Myrtle Beach Economic Development

On August 16, Frontier Communications presented to the City of North Myrtle Beach a contribution of $150,000 to be used to expand recreational and other quality of life opportunities in the city.

This investment from Frontier Communications will greatly contribute toward helping the city expand and add new quality of life opportunities, primarily at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex, a focal point for residents and visitors. The complex also generates millions additional annual revenue for the North Myrtle Beach business community.

“Frontier Communications believes in supporting the communities where we live and work,” said Marcy Fox, general manager, South Carolina East for Frontier. “As a telecommunications company, we invest regularly in communications infrastructure to better serve our residents and commercial customers. Our employees also serve on boards and volunteer in a wide variety of charitable organizations. We are very active in the community, helping to fund food banks and we believe in hiring and supporting our veterans. Our approach to business and society is a good fit for North Myrtle Beach.”

North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley said that the entire community appreciates Frontier Communications’ continuing investment in the city. She said that Frontier’s investment will help to grow more recreational and other opportunities for residents and visitors, which also aids economic development in the city.

“Frontier Communications is not required to make these sorts of investments,” Mayor Hatley said. “This is the way they do business. They have become part of the community and help us in many positive ways. We greatly appreciate their involvement.”

This is the second commitment since 2014 that Frontier has made to North Myrtle Beach to help improve the quality of city services opportunities. That year a $300,000 commitment was made to the city and was used in part to expand the city’s fiber optic network by another mile to extend connectivity to the lake front area at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex. As a result, complementary Wi-Fi access is now provided to the lake front trail area and to the area around the amphitheater located within the park. 

The City also used a portion of the funding to establish live-streaming video and audio from all six baseball and softball fields at the park and sports complex. Additionally, there are three live stream cameras that provide overviews of the soccer and lacrosse complex, the baseball and softball area and the wake board park on the lake.

Mike Flynn, Frontier’s Southeast region president, attended the presentation ceremony.

“We are very pleased to help the city of North Myrtle Beach improve broadband and video communications options for its citizens,” said Flynn. “These are the types of network improvements Frontier routinely makes in all 29 states we serve. It’s great to see the city recognize the value and quality of live broadband networks offer to communities.”

About Frontier Communications Corporation

Frontier Communications Corporation, now a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company, is a leader in providing communications services to urban, suburban and rural communities in 29 states. Frontier offers a variety of services to residential customers over its fiber-optic and copper networks, including video, high-speed internet, advanced voice and Frontier Secure digital protection solutions. Frontier Business Edge offers communications solutions to small, medium and enterprise businesses. Frontier’s approximately 29,000 employees are based entirely in the United States. More information about Frontier is available at www.frontier.com.

For more information on Frontier Communications, contact Marcy Fox, general manager, South Carolina East for Frontier, Office: (843) 444-3230, Email: Marcy.fox@ftr.com.

PHOTO IDENTIFICATION – L-R: Councilman Fred Coyne, Frontier South Carolina East General Manager Marcy Fox, Councilwoman Nicole Fontana, Frontier Southeast Region President Mike Flynn, Mayor Marilyn Hatley, City Manager Mike Mahaney, Councilman Bob Cavanaugh, Frontier Area General Manager Todd Van Epps.

Nine North Myrtle Beach Veterans Presented with Quilts of Valor

On August 15, representatives of the local chapter of the Quilts of Valor Foundation presented nine veterans with Quilts of Valor. All of the recipients are also members of the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department.

Those receiving personal Quilts of Valor were Michael Baldasarre, Bryan Floyd, James Martin, Hannah McLaurin, Stephen Murphy, Robert Speedling, Ian Vaughn, J. Phillip Webster, and Keith Williams.

Quilts of Valor began in 2003. It is then that founder Catherine Roberts, whose son was deployed in Iraq, had a dream. In her dream, she saw a young man sitting on the side of the road in the middle of the night, hunched over. The permeating feeling in her dream was one of utter despair.

“I could see his war demons clustered around him,” she said, “dragging him down into an emotional gutter. Then, as if viewing a movie, I saw him in the next scene wrapped in a quilt. His whole demeanor had changed from one of despair to one of hope and well-being. The quilt had made this dramatic change. The message of my dream was— quilts equal healing.”

According to Joan Wobbleton, head of the local chapter of Quilts of Valor,  volunteer teams donate their time and materials to make a quilt for veterans who have been touched by war. One person pieces the top, and another quilts it. The quilts are not provided to families or others, only to veterans. Each quilt recipient is encouraged to not put their quilt away in a chest or to display it as a museum piece but to use it when they feel the need to warm themselves, to feel better about life or themselves.

North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley was invited to address the recipients. She recalled those times as a child when she was scared or ill, and her mother or grandmother would put a quilt around her. She recalled that with the quilt around her, she would very soon feel safer, better, warmer, more loved and cared for. She encouraged the recipients to make their quilts a part of their lives. Mayor Hatley also thanked them for their service to their Country and their continuing service to North Myrtle Beach residents and visitors as Police Officers and Firefighter/EMTs.

Horry County Solicitor Jimmy Richardson also spoke. He reminded those in the audience that, while not everyone can make a quilt by hand, everyone can say "Thank You" to those who have served their Country, and to those who now serve their communities as Police Officers and Firefighter/EMTs.

PHOTO OF QUILT OF VALOR RECIPIENTS – Left to Right:  Mayor Pro Tem Terry White, City Councilman Bob Cavanaugh, Mayor Marilyn Hatley, Ian Vaughn, Michael Baldasarre, Stephen Murphy, Robert Speedling, Bryan Floyd, James Martin, Hannah McLaurin, Keith Williams, Phillip Webster, Horry County Solicitor Jimmy Richardson.

Representatives from Local Chapter of Quilts of Valor - Joan Wobbleton Fourth from Left

RESULTS: August 15 City Council Meeting

North Myrtle Beach, SC – August 15, 2016 – During the August 15 North Myrtle Beach City Council meeting, Zoning Enforcement Officer Dorian Dixon was named Employee of the Month. Every summer the zoning division must address minor violations of the city’s sign, tent and merchandise regulations, primarily by seasonal businesses. Seasonal businesses that have such violations tend to report violations being committed by their business competitors as competition for customers escalates during the summer months. Instead of having to issue dozens of citations for these violations, Dixon has done an extremely good job of using his diplomatic skills to achieve businesses compliance with city regulations, and he often achieves more peaceful interaction among competing businesses.

Dixon has also been positively singled out by residents for his assistance in helping to effectively address instances of disallowed home occupations in residential neighborhoods.

City Council also provided Employee Longevity Awards to nine employees. Receiving awards were Public Safety Officer Joshua Stevens (five years of service), Public Safety Officer Andrew Franklin (5), Public Safety OfficerAustin Bratton (5), Firefighter/EMT Craig Young (5), Firefighter/EMT James Johnson (5), Motor Equipment Operator James Gore (10), Public Safety Officer/Lifeguard Coordinator Munro Reed (10), Public Safety Officer/Lifeguard Coordinator Donald Constransitch (10), and Pump Mechanic II Christopher Wright (15).

Council passed second (final) reading of an ordinance annexing and zoning as R-1 (Single Family, Low Density Residential) one lot located in the Riverside Campground Subdivision. The property is located on Lot 2 within the Riverside Campground Subdivision off Little River Neck Road and is occupied by an existing detached single-family house. Surrounding land uses are vacant (Esperanza PDD within North Myrtle Beach's jurisdiction), Fire Station #4 (within North Myrtle Beach's jurisdiction) and single-family residential homes (within both jurisdictions).

Council passed second reading of an ordinance approving the First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Development Agreement regarding the Robber's Roost PDD. The amendment to the development agreement clarifies the responsibilities of the various parties to the agreement regarding the cost of improvements to 11th Avenue North and Sea Hope Way.

City Council approved a request for a special event permit by the Grand Strand Running Club for the September 17, 8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., BFF Pink Ribbon Run 5K/10K at Barefoot Resort. The event is a fundraiser for Susan G. Komen and other charities. The city is a co-sponsor.

City Council approved a request for a special event permit by The Society of Stranders (SOS) for the September 18, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., SOS Fun Sunday. The event will be held on 1^st Avenue South between Ocean Boulevard and Hillside Drive.

City Council approved a request for a special event permit by The Society of Stranders (SOS) for the September 19, 12:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m., SOS Fun Monday. The event will be held on Main Street between Ocean Boulevard and Hillside Drive.

City Council passed a Resolution approving policies and procedures for tax-advantaged debt. City bond counsel Theo Dubose of Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. advised that the city adopt the policies and procedures associated with the issuance of tax-advantaged bonds in order to ensure compliance with the various legal requirements associated with this type of debt.

Council tabled until its September 19 meeting second reading of an ordinance to petition rezoning of one lot approximately 6.4 acres in size located on Main Street from HC (Highway Commercial) to PDD (Planned Development District).

City Council passed a Resolution to authorize the Main Street Parking District Facility Plan, establishing an optional "fee in lieu" of parking.

During an August 1 meeting, City Council approved a “fee in lieu” ordinance, which allows a property owner to pay into a public parking development fund in lieu of providing their own required parking. The monies in the fund will be used to establish additional public parking in the Main Street area.

The Resolution passed at the August 15 meeting establishes the Main Street Parking District Facility Plan, which encompasses an area within the Main Street Priority Investment Activity Center Overlay. Within this area, property owners now have the option of establishing their own required parking or paying a fee in lieu to the city set at $25,000 per parking space. The monies collected will be used to establish public parking within the investment area bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, 2^nd Avenue North on the north, 2^nd Avenue South on the south, and Oak Drive on the west.

EMPLOYEE LONGEVITY AWARDS: L-R: James Johnson, City Manager Mike Mahaney, Christopher Wright, James Gore, Craig Young, Andrew Franklin, Austin Bratton, Joshua Stevens, Monty Reed, Donald Constransitch.

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH: L-R: City Manager Mike Mahaney, Dorian Dixon.

Free August 12 Showing of The Good Dinosaur (PG) at McLean Park in North Myrtle Beach

The public is invited to enjoy a free August 11 showing of The Good Dinosaur (PG) at McLean Park in North Myrtle Beach. Movie starts 15 minutes after sunset (approximately 8:25 pm).

There will be a free fossil mining activity from 7– 8:15 pm for kids before the movie.

The free movie is part of the North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department’s Movies @ McLean series sponsored by McLeod Seacoast (www.mcleodhealth.org).   

Patrons and movie-goers are encouraged to bring their beach chair or a blanket to sit on. Concessions will be available from the North Myrtle Beach Lions Club.

About The Good Dinosaur: Luckily for young Arlo, his parents and two siblings, the mighty dinosaurs were not wiped out 65 million years ago. When a rainstorm washes poor Arlo downriver, he ends up bruised, battered and miles away from home. Good fortune shines on the frightened dino when he meets Spot, a Neanderthal boy who offers his help and friendship. Together, the unlikely duo embark on an epic adventure to reunite Arlo with his beloved family.

Chocolate Chip & Co. Perform in a FREE August 11 Concert on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach

The public is invited to enjoy a free August 11, 7-9pm concert featuring Chocolate Chip & Co. on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach. Chocolate Chip & Co. is a high-energy group playing 70s, 80s, 90s dance tunes, disco, funk and soul.

The free concert is part of the North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department’s Music on Main summer concert series sponsored by Anderson Brothers Bank (www.abbank.com).

Patrons and concert-goers are encouraged to bring their beach chairs.

For day of event weather information call the “Rec Check” hotline at (843) 280-5594 ext. 3, follow on facebook, or visit their website http://parks.nmb.us.

North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department Holds Record-Setting Fundraiser for the Special Olympics

During its August 3-5 "Cops on Doughnut Shops" fundraising effort at Krispy Kreme, 1300 Highway 17 South, the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department raised $38,047.50 for the Special Olympics.

The Cops on Doughnut Shops fundraiser is familiar to many communities across South Carolina and the nation. However, the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department effort stands as the most successful Cops on Doughnut Shops fundraiser anywhere to date.

It is also interesting to note that the North Myrtle Beach Krispy Kreme is the most profitable Krispy Kreme location in the United States.

At the start of the August 3-5 fundraising effort, North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Director Jay Fernandez, who has always supported the Special Olympics, promised his personnel that, if they raised $10,000 he would have his hair dyed Garnett red in a tip of the hat to the University of South Carolina. City Manager Mike Mahaney pledged that, if Public Safety personnel raised $25,000 he would have his hair dyed part Clemson University orange and part Coastal Carolina University teal.

Today (August 8), the two lived up to their promises and received their dye jobs at the North Myrtle Beach Public Safety building. Many hands were invited to apply parts of the total dye jobs, and all participated with great zest!

Congratulations to North Myrtle Beach Public Safety personnel for their record-setting fundraising effort!

A tube of red on the left for Jay Fernandez and, tubes of teal and orange on the right for Mike Mahaney…

The realization sinks in… This is actually going to happen!

Dana Griffin, Public Safety coordinator for the record-setting fundraiser, applies the first dab of dye to Jay’s Hair

Mayor Marilyn Hatley and Councilwoman Nicole Fontana were among those who contributed to Mike’ coloring.

Jay Fernandez decides that a little stress eating is in order…

All dolled up, Jay Fernandez and Mike Mahaney are proud of their new hairdos…

People express relief in different ways….

This appears to be THE MOMENT that Jay Fernandez saw his dye job for the very first time…

And then, it’s back to business…

Congratulations to our Public Safety Department for a Great Job! And many thanks to Mike Mahaney and Jay Fernandez for being such good sports and great leaders!

North Myrtle Beach Tree City Committee August Tree of the Month Award

The North Myrtle Beach Tree City Committee’s August Tree of the Month Award recognizes a group of Longleaf pines located on several different parcels of land along Madison Drive near 20th Avenue south. The trees bear scars of wounds from sap harvesting many years ago.

The Long Leaf pine is native to coastal South Carolina and it grows well in the sandy local soil. The trees were the source of naval stores (resin, turpentine, and timber) for the shipbuilding industry around which so much of the original economy and development of Horry County was founded. 

Those wishing to learn more about this tree and its contribution to local history are invited to a free August 18, 11:00 a.m., seminar at the North Myrtle Beach Library, 910 1^st Avenue South. The seminar is free but attendance is limited to 40 people. John Ford, a local resident and self-taught tree historian, will present more in-depth information on the Longleaf Pine, its historical and economic significance to our area, and the importance of preservation. Ford lived in North Myrtle Beach for 40 years. His parents and grandparents created in him an interest in  the ocean, rivers, the forest, and nature in general. Ford also studied archaeology on his own.