ELMER FUDD STUNT CAMPAIGN REVEALED.
Surrounded by his wife, Laura, and two sons, Mayoral Candidate Mark McBride made a request for prayers for all city residents in the path of Hurricane Irma. McBride then laid out his 3 year plan for public safety and growth this past Tuesday.
McBride told local media that public safety matters most, because, “If families do not feel safe coming here, nothing else matters.” With his now known Elmer Fudd stunt, many residents wondered if this also was simply not another stunt campaign tactic.
In his presentation materials, the mayoral challenger quoted Proverbs 22:1: A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. If elected, the candidate assured voters he would restore the great name Myrtle Beach once had.
McBride said he would accomplish this by re-allocating 50% of all tourism development fee dollars (tourist tax dollars) to inside the city of Myrtle Beach police hires, initially adding 100 more police officers to the department with pay raises so that those who are hired can work at a livable wage.
McBride also stressed a need to diversify the local economy and stated he would work to bring in the tech community and tech related jobs much like the city of Charleston, S.C. has.
He stressed the need for accountable government saying that the city should not be in the business of using taxpayer dollars to build a new library nor a new children’s museum.
When asked if he could build a consensus around his ideas, he informed local media that there was already a resident consensus for the ideas he is now proposing. He stated that he would work with like minded councilmen to make the resident’s wishes a reality for the city of Myrtle Beach. McBride firmly believes elected officials should work for city residents, rather than the special interests of a handful of non elected insiders.
McBride did state that he was occasionally a past no vote on certain ideas, like the taxpayer owned Myrtle Beach Convention Hotel. However, he also said that the quality of life (of average city residents) has not been improved by the tax payer funded hotel purchase despite the city still owing $57 million on the property. McBride believes the city should let the private sector conduct private sector concerns.
He stated, previously, when he was Mayor in 2006, Myrtle Beach lead the entire Grand Strand. He pointed out that the city is now consistently on the wrong top 10 lists including crime. He also stated the city now lags behind our neighbor in North Myrtle Beach ongoing.
If elected, he promised to make public safety his number one priority. By leading and working alongside city council, McBride said he would help turn the city around ensuring Myrtle Beach’s good name is restored.