Myrtle Beach local cigar store owner, John E Senese, posted on Facebook his concerns over the recent Myrtle Beach City Government planned overlay along Ocean Boulevard.
A group that includes City Manager John Pedersen, Mayor Brenda Bethune, and spokesperson for the group, bar owner Larry Bond are working to limit the legal products that merchants can sell in that area. Myrtle Beach City Council will vote to approve a second reading this coming Tuesday which will prohibit CBD oils, tobacco, alternative nicotine, vapor products, and e-cigarettes possibly from an area to include between Sixth Avenue South to 16th Avenue North. These items are legal, however, and will be sold in all other areas of the city.
Wrote Senese. “Fellow MB Business Owners: WE ALL NEED TO WATCH THIS! I have been saying this for years now. The Mayor and the Council start with little things like a helmet law and limiting tattoo parlors and strip clubs to seaboard. Then came the Memorial Weekend Bike Loop which the City Manager has the right to suspend or extend at his discretion. Everyone said “It’s ok it’s not my business”, then they said “it’s only one weekend”, but now their crying “Help Me, it’s not fair” when it affects them. Where does it stop? No people with tattoos, no adult entertainment at all, no motorcycles because they make too much noise? Go ahead and laugh, but you will not be laughing when they come after you! I’m not ranting because it affects me BECA– USE IT DOES NOT! I only sell cigars and far enough away from the boardwalk that for now I’m not on the radar, but who knows about tomorrow?”
MyrtleBeachSC news encourages all merchants to attend the City Council meeting Tuesday, August 14th at 2 p.m. and make your voice heard.
Said Benjamin Franklin on this very issue, “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”