Horry County and Sun News Continue to Mislead Citizens

Who says that lightning doesn't strike twice...I worked in a building that was hit 3 times, and it's about to strike again, this time at the Myrtle Beach International Airport with more money wasted. It's nice to report the news, but when it comes to the airport, Mike Cherney of the Sun News just reports what happens, never delving into the "dark side" of the Horry County Council. Yes, there is a "dark side" with the Horry County Council and another "black hole" getting set to open up and suck in some more or our dollars. What I am referring to in the "expansion and renovation" of MBI on the East side and the "lack of funds" to move forward. If Mr. Cherney wasn't so busy taking notes, maybe he could ask some of the "hard" questions that Liz and Company do not like to hear.

If you don't know, there are specific funds that must be in place in order to move forward with the FAA and the deadline of March 2009 to procure funding from them (the FAA) for the upcoming year. Procurement of those funds are supposed to come from various sources, and just like Horry County is trying to balance their budget and find money to fund to hire guards at the expanded J. Rueben Long Detention Center, they are also behind the scenes trying to acquire funds to move forward with the airport terminal project. I heard Liz Gilland on WRNN talking the day after the 3rd reading for the project passed, and when congratulated by one of their biggest supporters, Steve Porter, Liz stated "well Steve, you know what happened last time, and so at times like this you have to step back and take a deep breath". That's right, step back, take a deep breath and watch the "smokescreen" blown out!

FICTION - Horry County is expecting 15 million dollars to come from the State of South Carolina to support the funding the terminal project.
FACT- The Governor's Office has told me specifically that there is "NO 15 Million Dollars" earmarked for this project. The Governor's Office went further saying that "in the past there has been support from the Governor, even though he questioned the project". I was told by Rep. Alan Clemmons there was no money in Columbia for the airport project, but I wanted to hear if from the Governor's Office.

FICTION - Horry County is "allegedly" to receive 25 million dollars from "land sales" to help support the project.
FICTION - I asked Liz Gilland and the Council Members more that 2 weeks ago to provide information on this transaction. I only asked for basic information, such as:

**Are we currently under contract for the land and what is the anticipated settlement date???

**If we are not under contract, is that the current "appraised" value of the land and when do you anticipate a contract being signed???

THE COUNTY HAS PROVIDED NO ANSWERS YET!! THAT'S 40 MILLION SHORT!

FICTION - Of the additional funds needed, the Horry County Council was to ask for funding help from the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopement Authority. I can't remember the exact amount they were going to ask for, this was additional funds for the extension of Harrelson Blvd.
FACT - Although I have not spoken with him personally, my sources tell me that Buddy Stires stated that the "Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority has no excess funds that they can contribute like they did last time".

I'm not an investigative reporter, but you ask the questions and you either get answers or you don't. If you NEVER ask the IMPORTANT QUESTIONS you never get the REAL answers. In this current economic recession, would it not be better to remodel what we have, get all the equipment at the terminal working properly and take the necessary steps to hire more personnel and install any extra equipment to alleviate our weekend crowds???? Nah! that would be too easy!

FACT - Build a CASINO for "gaming" and they will come!