Mayor Hatley Participates In Hearing On Dedicated State Funding For Beach Preservation (Renourishment)

Acting in her role as Vice Chairperson of the South Carolina Beach Advocates organization, North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley (far right in photo) traveled to Columbia, SC on March 31 to participate in a hearing on “Dedicated State Funding for Beach Preservation” sponsored by S.C. Senator George Campsen and S.C. Representative William Herbkersman. S.C. Representative Greg Duckworth (second from right in photo) was also present on the panel.


South Carolina Beach Advocates includes mayors and administrators from municipalities located along the South Carolina coast. It’s mission is to help educate decision makers and the public as to the economic, environmental, and civic benefits of South Carolina beaches.


During her remarks, Mayor Hatley said that the economic benefits resulting from beach preservation or renourishment do not accrue only to the beach communities. For example, the Grand Strand tourism industry contributes about $485 million each year to the state economy in state and local taxes. That revenue flows throughout all of South Carolina.


South Carolina beach counties contributed 72% of all the state Accommodations Tax revenues collected last year, with over $45 million of that revenue going directly into the state’s treasury each year. A “Robin Hood” provision in the state’s Accommodations Tax law redistributes a portion of all Accommodations Tax dollars collected to communities that do not have tourism.


Mayor Hatley also pointed out that, if one considers property ownership east of the Intracoastal Waterway along the South Carolina coast, it is again clear that our beaches are a statewide asset. Coastal property east of the Intracoastal Waterway is owned by someone in every county in South Carolina, and every state in the union.


In addition to Mayor Hatley, South Carolina Beach Advocates Executive Director Nicole Elko, Pawley’s Island Mayor Bill Otis, and Edisto Beach Mayor Jane Darby participated in providing testimony to the panel. The South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control and the South Carolina Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department also partnered with South Carolina Beach Advocates to encourage dedicated funding of beach preservation and renourishment.

“Our message is that South Carolina’s beaches are a statewide environmental treasure and a generator of revenue that require a strategic, long-term investment in regular maintenance,” Mayor Hatley said. “It just makes good sense. Revenue from our beaches positively impacts all of South Carolina and we should not have to start from scratch every time renourishment is determined by appropriate agencies to be necessary. We are not asking the state to do it all, only to establish dedicated funding for its share so that when we have to act to preserve our beaches, we can do so in a timely manner.”

Two New Art Classes Offered by North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department

The North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department introduces two new art classes beginning in April:

Outsider ARTventure Mini Masters – A Mommy and Me art class for ages 2-5. Starting April 5, the class will be offered the first and last Wednesday of the month from 11am to 12pm. Classes will be held the J. Bryan Floyd Community Center Shelter #3, 1030 Possum Trot Road, North Myrtle Beach.

This is a fun, creative time held outdoors with hands-on making and creating.

Cost is $25 per class / $40 per month. All supplies included. 24-hour reservation required.

Outsider ARTventure Picnic and Painting – Partners create a “Canvas Duet”, two canvases that are meant to complement each other and be displayed side by side. This is perfect for parent and child. No previous experience necessary.

For ages 8 and up. This is an ongoing class beginning April 15 and will continue every third Saturday of the month. Times are 10am – 11:30amand 5pm-6:30 pm.

Bring a picnic meal to enjoy while art works dry.

Classes will be held at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex at the CCNB Lake Shelter.

Cost is $45/duet or $30/solo. All supplies included. 48-hour reservation required. There is a $15 nonrefundable deposit due upon reservation.

For more information or to sign up please call instructor, Nina Ortiz843-997-4729 or emailfuntasticart@yahoo.com.

Bring Your Kids (Of All Ages) To The Free April 8 "Touch-A-Truck" Event

The North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department will host the first annual "Touch-A-Truck" event April 8, 10am-2pm, at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex in the Soccer/Lacrosse parking lot. Admission is free.
Touch-A-Truck offers a day for children of all ages to get an up-close, interactive look at many of the large vehicles and heavy equipment they only see on television or driving down the road. Everyone will have the opportunity to explore exhibits like dump trucks, tractors, a helicopter, fire trucks, police car, race cars and more.
In addition to all the vehicles, this community event features public safety information and other activities, including face painting, helmet safety by the North Strand Optimist Club, spot camera eye screenings offered by the North Myrtle Beach Lion’s Club, and writing letters to soldiers with the Grand Strand Blue Star Mothers.
Everyone is invited to come out to climb, learn and discover!

Kindermusik Classes For Kids Through Age 7 Start April 6 (Free Preview March 30)

New Ongoing Class -  Thursdays 5:30–6:15 pm
Free Class Preview – Thursday, March 30 5:30–6:15pm
Kindermusik is a music and movement class for toddlers, babies, big kids, and families.
Participants sing, dance, giggle, hop, travel on imaginative adventures, cuddle, play instruments, share ideas, read stories, celebrate the uniqueness of each child, and more!
A trained, licensed Kindermusik educator will lead the class through music and movement activities with proven developmental benefits to include boosting early literacy and language abilities, social/emotional skills, and cognitive development. The classes give children many opportunities to practice fine and gross motor skills in a fun, loving community of families. Throughout the classes, parents and children also enjoy special one-on-one moments bonding together.
This family-style class meets once a week for 45 minutes, beginning April 6. The first class on March 30 is a free preview.
Open to ages 0 through 7
Location: J. Bryan Floyd Community Center, 1030 Possum Trot Rd; NMB, SC 29582
$60 per child per month and $40 for each sibling
To register, follow this link: www.miredostudio.com or contact the front desk at the   J. Bryan Floyd Community Center (843) 280-5584.

North Myrtle Beach Fire Department to Install FREE Smoke Alarms March 25

North Myrtle Beach firefighters and members of participating organizations will visit North Myrtle Beach residents on Saturday, March 25 to perform free smoke alarm inspections, replacing batteries and installing free smoke alarms as needed.  It’s part of a free community-wide fire prevention effort.

Installing smoke alarms in the homes of North Myrtle Beach residents who do not have them will increase their odds of surviving a home fire.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the international nonprofit leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety and official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week, working smoke alarms are the key to saving lives from fire.

“Smoke alarms are the most effective early warning device there is,” said Judy Comoletti, NFPA’s division manager for public education.  “Just having a smoke alarm in your home cuts in half your chances of dying in a reported fire.”

“Our goal is to make sure residents have the protection of a smoke alarm,” said North Myrtle Beach Fire Marshal Greg Frazier. “Our project also includes educating residents to have a home fire escape plan so they know what to do if the smoke alarm sounds.”

During the smoke alarm installation program, local firefighters will fan out throughout the city, visiting residents in several neighborhoods. They will be going door to door in their areas of focus.
Interested residents can also call in advance to request that the department visit their home to install a free smoke detector.  Call Fire Marshal Greg Frazier at 843-280-5614 or email him at gtfrazier@nmb.us. 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Receives $10,609,844 to Fund Emergency Beach Renourishment Project in the City of North Myrtle Beach

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has received $10,609,844 in funding to accomplish an emergency beach renourishment project in the city of North Myrtle Beach. Current indications are that the funding will not require a cost sharing by the city, however, a Cooperation Agreement will have to be entered into between U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the city.

The city will have to pay separately for dune reconstruction, sea oats planting, and other associated dune work. “This is great news for the residents of North Myrtle Beach, the State of South Carolina and the Charleston District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,” said North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley. “The North Myrtle Beach City Council and many others have been working hard toward this goal since Hurricane Joaquin hit our shores. The severe damage incurred from Hurricane Matthew only made the need for this project even more immediate.” “We especially want to thank U.S. Representative Tom Rice for his help in securing these funds,” Hatley said, “and we also offer our very special thanks to Project Manager Wes Wilson of the U.S. Army Corps’ Charleston District and the many other Corps leaders and personnel from Washington to Charleston who visited North Myrtle Beach often, studied our beach carefully, and came to understand the proven and dire need for more sand here in North Myrtle Beach.”

Additional details regarding the emergency project will be provided as they are determined.

North Myrtle Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshals Announced

The Grand Marshals for the 2017 North Myrtle Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade are USA Olympian Amber Campbell and former Coastal Carolina University (CCU) Coach Alan Connie.  Coach Connie was Amber's Head Coach while she attended Coastal Carolina University.

Amber, a resident of Myrtle Beach, is one of the top track and field athletes in the world, competing in the hammer throw. A three-time USA Olympian (2008, 2012 and 2016), she has also represented Team USA at five Outdoor World Track and Field Championships (2005,2009,2011, 2013 and 2015).  At the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, her sixth place finish was the highest finish ever by a USA Olympian in the hammer throw, and her throw was the best ever by a USA Olympian in the hammer. She is a 12-time USA National Champion and twice has set USA Olympic Trial records with her championship throws in 2012 and 2016.

At CCU, Amber was a five-time NCAA Division 1 All American, and graduated as the all-time American Collegiate Record Holder.

Coach Connie began his coaching career in 1979 at North Myrtle Beach High School. His boys cross country teams and girls track teams won four South Carolina State Championships, and had three state runner-up finishes in his eight years of coaching at the high school. His girls track and field teams had a combined record of 169 wins, one loss and two ties over eight years.  

In his 28 years as the head women's cross country and track and field coach at CCU, Coach Connie's teams won 28 Big South Conference Championships, and he was named Big South Conference Coach of the Year 33 times in the two sports. He coached 12 All Americans and was named the Big South Conference Coach of the Decade twice in women's cross country for the 1990s and 2000s. He was also named Big South Conference Coach of the Decade for women's indoor track and field for the 2000s and for women's outdoor track and field for the 2000s.  

Amber and Coach Connie have been inducted into the Coastal Carolina University Hall of Fame and the Big South Conference Hall of Fame.