Myrtle Beach SC August 2nd
In a press release to area Myrtle Beach Media, Bill McClure announced his run for Myrtle Beach City Council. The press release reads as follows:
PUTTING MYRTLE BEACH FIRST: Bill McClure Announces Candidacy for Myrtle Beach City Council
Former candidate for mayor Bill McClure proudly announces his candidacy for the Myrtle Beach City Council, with a steadfast commitment to putting citizens of Myrtle Beach first and prioritizing safety, government transparency and accountability, and ensuring residents’ quality of life.
A Safer Myrtle Beach: Residents and visitors of Myrtle Beach face safety concerns, as shown by CrimeGrade.org, which placed it in the 28th percentile for crime. In 2021 Coastal-Law.com highlighted increasing crime in Myrtle Beach, including violent and property crimes, which far exceed those in the rest of South Carolina.
“While city leadership argues Myrtle Beach crime statistics are skewed high because they are based on the city’s permanent population and don’t account for millions of visitors each year, the reality remains, however, that crime, largely fueled by the city’s drug problem, exceeds state and national rates. I have a plan to bring our city stakeholders together and develop strategies that fix today’s problems by making investments to eliminate tomorrow’s threats.”
An Open, Accountable Myrtle Beach: Bill McClure knows transparency and accountability are the cornerstones of an effective government. Citizens need to have a voice in planning, and they should always have access to how our city spends tax dollars. He also believes elected officials should not personally profit from their office.
“For far too often, people who have been elected to office push the limits to see what they can get away with. I’m running for office to restore trust and transparency to public service. The Citizens of Myrtle Beach deserve leaders who put residents first, and not their own special projects.”
A Myrtle Beach that takes care of its needs: Myrtle Beach’s infrastructure is facing increasing strains because of growth and renewed interest in development. Bill McClure believes the City Council must prioritize the needs of our community and residents and worries that Myrtle Beach is leaving people and communities behind by not fixing existing roads and streets due to the cost of other projects underway.
“Would you wait until January to purchase a winter coat? As your next councilman, I am committed to making upgrades and improvements that have been neglected or are due now. We need to plan better. We need to take stock of our resources. And we can’t spend recklessly on other projects that reduce the resources for roads, neighborhoods, and other infrastructure that makes Myrtle Beach the best it can be today, tomorrow, and many years into the future.”
On other issues, McClure holds the following positions:
Responsible Growth: Bill recognizes the importance of growth for our city’s prosperity. However, he firmly stands against reckless uncontrolled growth. Growth should be measured, sustainable and should not compromise the quality of life of residents and should engage citizens in the decision-making process.
Boosting Healthcare: Bill acknowledges the critical shortage of healthcare professionals and workers in our city. Two years ago, Bill issued a “call to action” to address this important issue and suggested city leadership should establish partnerships with healthcare professionals and facilities. Our healthcare system is approaching a breaking point, and he will be engaging professionals to develop workable solutions, ideas, and programs to address this pressing issue.
Reducing the City’s Expanding Debt: Bill McClure is deeply concerned about the escalating debt burden faced by Myrtle Beach in recent years. Over the past 7 budget cycles from 2017-2018 to 2023-2024, the city’s budget has increased by a staggering 88 percent, and the tax rate in mills has risen by 14.5 percent. This unsustainable trend threatens the financial stability of our city and puts added strain on our residents. As a responsible leader, Bill McClure understands the issue’s urgency and firmly believes that acquiring more long-term debt and potential tax increases are not sustainable solutions. Bill is committed to adopting a fiscally responsible approach, curbing unnecessary spending, and finding innovative ways to reduce the city’s debt burden.
Term Limits and Council Representative Wards: Bill supports enacting Term Limits on the number of terms any one person can be elected to City Council or Mayor. Moreover, he also supports the creation of 4 members elected from specific wards in the city and 2 elected at-large from across the city to ensure more fair representation on City Council. Bill strongly believes that these changes will be in the best interests of current and future residents, businesses, and visitors.
Protecting City Appointed Boards and Commissions: Bill has actively participated in numerous city board and commission meetings, recognizing the vital role they should play in serving the best interests of the city. He advocates for a review of each board and commission’s mission, ensuring they have the necessary resources and flexibility to benefit the citizens of Myrtle Beach. Bill will work to have all City Council members listen to the people they appointed and encourage them to act in the community’s best interests. Bill aims to ensure that the actions taken by these boards and commissions genuinely align with the greater good of the community.
Bill McClure’s campaign is centered on putting people first, fostering a collaborative and transparent approach to governance, improving resident’s quality of life, and ensuring Myrtle Beach stays a thriving and sustainable community for generations to come. Together, let’s build a safe and sustainable future for Myrtle Beach.