“As to the above mailers asking residents to call City Hall. The day the mailers went out, City Hall began sending all calls directly into voice mail. A key source inside city government told Myrtle Beach News that many of the calls were angry requests made by local residents asking that the city re-allocate the funds away from MBACC.”
The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC) currently claims that 18 million tourists visit Myrtle Beach annually. Residents are now asking what percentage of those “tourists” include locals?
Who does the state of South Carolina consider a Myrtle Beach tourist? By S.C. law, anyone leaving their neighborhood and driving into the city of Myrtle Beach is defined, by law, as a tourist. The way the law is currently written residents of Conway, Socastee, Longs, Carolina Forest, Surfside Beach, Forestbrook, and other local municipalities are all defined as Myrtle Beach tourists.
Does the tourist tax work? Where should the tax monies be allocated? These two issues are now key discussion points in the coming November 7th elections. Candidates Mark McBride, Ann Dunham, and a host of challengers equally believe the taxes should be re-allocated for improving the downtown areas of Myrtle Beach, as well as, adding more police officers to the Myrtle Beach police force.
In last Thursday night’s Mayoral debates, Mayor Rhodes stated firmly that the MBACC funds will not be touched. “It ain’t happening,” Mayor Rhodes said.
With the elections approaching, some known and some questionable groups have begun mailing brochures in support of the tax.
The above mailer came from a rented return address used by dozens of “businesses” all at the same time. The address 1320 Main Street Suite 300 is rented to give the appearance of a legitimate business address. The space can be rented for just one month only, or month to month.
The SC Industry Project does not exist, except as a name on the return address. The “shell” organization has no phone number, no web page, no listing with lobbying groups nor the South Carolina Secretary of State.
The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber also sent out the below this week.
The MBACC mailer used postage permit 160. As to the Permit 160 postage stamp, remember the District 56 McGinnis mailers sent out to local residents by the Citizens For Conservative Values?
What do Citizens for Conservative Values and the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce have in common? A postage permit which is numbered 160.
Conway area business Duplicates Ink is the owner of postage permit 160.
Why would MBACC and the Citizens for Conservative Values use the same postage permit?
Miller Direct just happens to be the direct marketing source for the above mailers.
MyrtleBeachSC.com exposed the owner of Miller Direct writing half truths concerning her ad buys done on behalf of either the MBACC or the Citizens for Conservative Values for candidate McGinnis earlier this month. Those matters are now in the hands of the Federal Elections Commission and the FBI.
As to the above mailers asking residents to call City Hall. The day the mailers went out, City Hall began sending all calls directly into voice mail. A key source inside city government told MyrtleBeachSC.com that many of the calls were angry requests made by local residents asking that the city re-allocate the funds away from MBACC.