Lou Krieger DJ

Adopt A Tree Golf Tourney and More

2009-12-08T13:40:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all who signed up and played in our 6th Annual Adopt A Tree Golf Tournament at Wachesaw Plantation East. Many thanks to Rob Mosser GM and Head Professional for his hospitality, Chris Beattie of Legends In Concert, Scott Taylor of the Signature Golf Group, Nora Mason and Joey "Cheescake" of Costco Wholesale, Mendi Hielholzer of The Outback Steakhouse and all the golf courses who donated certificates in support of our project. With the proceeds from the tournament and a few donations, including $1,000.00 from the LAKES POA, we have a total operating budget for next year of close to $4,000. That total is small in comparison to the six figure budget in Pawleys Island and Litchfield, and not a bunch to take care of 2 + miles of beautification, but somehow we "get er done". This project would not have been possible without the help of the volunteers who worked so hard, especially Buddy Sessions and Patrick Burke, who have been volunteering their time for 7 years, to make a difference.

NO WIN FOR MCBRIDE - FORE MORE FOR RHODES

I firmly believe that it was only do to the lack of a known and qualified candidate and lack of funds that John Rhodes was re-elected to another 4 year term. Because of what I still consider a "blunder" in pulling the welcome mat out from under a certain segment of our tourists and costing the City and County millions of dollars, he only was able to gather just 54% or so in the balloting. I wouldn't take that as a vote of confidence over a candidate who has had numerous "incidents" while in office, and nowhere near the money or the endorsements of Rhodes. While we still continue in this recession with very limited job opportunities available and unemployment in double digits, it's going to be a chilly winter on the Grand Strand. I still can't wait to see what happens this Spring, especially in May for what the City and Chamber promote to "reel in" those millions of dollars in revenue we have lost because of their stance. I firmly believe that if the laws that are currently on the books were allowed to be "strictly enforced" during the events and on a year round basis, we could all live in "harmony" while maintaining our resort stature. Part of that penny sales tax could be used to advertise to people that we do have "bike rallies" in our "resort area" and what the dates are, so families could plan accordingly. I don't like being tied up in the traffic or hearing a lot of the noise; but I understand what those events mean to the local businesses and their employees. Most people use the bars as examples of who makes the money during those weeks, but those people also eat, attend local entertainment venues and S P E N D! I already see too many places closed for the winter or possible closed for good. I don't profess to be any kind of economist, and sometimes looks can be deceiving, but you would need a lot of "smoke and mirrors" not to see the vacant strip shops and the failed businesses in our area. Other towns live with the festivals and I am sure there are many more "retirees" in Daytona Beach than on the entire Grand Strand! Maybe we should have sent a contingent there to find our how they continue to have their rallies, prosper, and keep their residents "happy" having the event.

HOW ABOUT A SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN CRUISE - 10 Nights In Paradise???

Our Ports Of Call will be:

San Juan (Stay May 6th or 7th for $136 per night)
Bridgetown, Barbados
Castries, St. Lucia
St. Johns, Antigua
Philipsburg, St. Maarten
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

You can fly round trip from Myrtle Beach International, spend 2 nights in San Juan, 8 days cruising on the Serenade Of the Seas, 10 nights in the Southern Caribbean for just $1460 per person with all taxes, port fees, etc.

Ever cruise with a group?? You need to join us and find out how much fun it can be! It starts with a "meet and greet" prior to the cruise, we have custom cruise t-shirts, group cocktail party, group dance party in the Vortex Disco, cash miniature golf contest with trophies and other fun contests. We have 38 people signed up to go so far...come join the PARTY!!!

NEED MORE INFO????

CALL SAM STAMPS AT THE "CRUISE CORNER" 1-888-742-7242.....Sam booked the first cruise and has been our Travel Agent for 8 cruises now...Need a cruise, any cruise
work with the "Cruise Corner" for personal and professional service.

DOUG DECKER WINS "LEGEND IN ENERGY AWARD"

Congratulations to my good friend Doug Decker who was honored for the 2nd time this year, named a 2009 Legend In Energy at the 32nd Annual World Energy Engineering Congress in Washington, DC, November 4th thru 6th. If you folks remember, it was Doug Decker who appeared on my show numerous times with information concerning the expenditures and the viability of building the West Side Airport Terminal that I strongly opposed with him. I remember quite vividly how Liz (Ethics Violations, Suspended License and Speeder, who PAYS HER TICKETS) Gilland called Doug out as a person who had "bad information". Doug was also named by John (Why Can't I Be County Administrator) Weaver, along with myself, Paul Gable and Bill Darby as a bunch of "Looney Tunes" because of our opposition. However, history has now shown, thanks to the courage of the MB Community Appearance Board, that the project was not necessary, ultimately costing the County millions of dollars in fees for studies and plans for design. However, even though it cost millions of dollars to "shoot the plan down", those dollars are nothing in comparison to the over 150 million dollars that will now be saved. Doug is an outstanding member of our community, who used his own funds to put together the presentation he utilized at numerous meetings before groups in Myrtle Beach and Horry County. I am proud to be his friend, and proud to have worked with him, Paul and Bill on a project that was JUST NOT NEEDED! Doug was also inducted into the Association of Energy Engineers Hall of Fame in 2001 and their is a Douglas Decker Lifetime Achievement Award in his honor. the full article written by Paul Gable appeared in the Thursday, November 19th issue of the Waccamaw Times.

WHO IS THAT WASCALLY WABBIT "ELMER FUDD"

By now you should know the person behind the Elmer Fudd postings that the MB Chamber of Commerce was so "HOT" to nail! It's one thing to post an opinion, but totally another to post unfounded "truths" when the evidence is just not there. Although my personal opinion would not be a vote of confidence for them and some of the things they do, I only post what I know to be true. My own personal opinion is that I don't see that 1 cent sales tax as the "saving tourism" in Myrtle Beach. After being passed in August, it was "lauded" as quickly as October of being an instrument that "saved" the last part of the tourist season for our area. However, looking at the weekly room occupancy statistics published in the Sun News, it didn't seem to have that "great" of an impact, if any, especially after many businesses lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to start the season off. Take the "lauded" winter Beach Ball Classic....do we know the income figures from that event??
Not that I can find. What I do know is that:

1. Its Estimated that it brings around 4,000 people to the Grand Strand in the dead of winter. Okay, but Mayor BB gets the Convention Center for a week for free, estimated at $250,000. That means aside from any advertising, it cost $62.50 per person to bring them here.

2. The tournament also provides boarding to the participants in the tournament. If the cost was $30 per night and a team of 15 were here for a week, that's another $3150 per team, times how many teams???? I don't have the information on whether or not they are fed.

3. Many of our local teams are in the mix for the tournament....are their families counted in the 4,000 figure?
And just where does this figure come from?? What is the estimated average dollar amount spent? What is the average stay?

4. Once again, what are the attendance figures for those games??? How much is made on concessions?
Who gets it? Our Mayor?

If the event is such a big "money maker" how come so much is given away???

You want to bring people to the Grand Strand.....Use the 1 cent sales tax to pay for the prize money to bring the now economically struggling PGA Tour back to the Golf Capital Of the World, and just like the World Am, set up the Worlds Largest 19th hole Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat at the Convention Center. With so much money placed on television exposure....how much exposure would be get with 4 days of "live" national coverage???? It would be a lot more than the several million dollars laid out in prize money. It would bring "thousands of people" here and could be a tournament sponsored by a "City" instead of a "Corporation".

Mr. Mayor, and Chamber, chew on that idea for a spell!
God Bless
Lou

Letter To Bring Casino(s) To The Grand Strand

2009-12-06T06:33:00.000-08:00

Ladies and Gentleman,
As we all know, our economy here in Myrtle Beach is in terrible shape and continuing to regress, putting many people in the Unemployment Lines. I know this first hand, since I have been out of work for over 7 months now, with no end in sight, especially in the broadcast industry. I continue to watch as States all around and near us continue to approve ways to increase revenue; Casino Gambling.

Before we go into conversations about the Bible Belt and the South, let's get realistic about the number of Taxpayers and Residents who are struggling on the Grand Strand. Just today in the Sun News, the editorial talked of the remarks of Danny Knight and how Horry County was in need of money to continue services or cut back on them. How do you raise money in an already heavily taxed economic structure like we presently have; by raising taxes, or looking for alternative means? If you allowed your constituents to vote on a matter such as this, it would overwhelmingly be "look for an alternative means". Sure, there have been some ideas out there about taxing trailers that ride without tags, or maybe adding another tax on the tourists, but I'm talking about something to add real revenue to the coffers, a major Casino or two with all types of gambling.

As I ride around the Grand Strand during the "slow" part of the year, look at the failing businesses and empty shops, I think back to the days of the slot machines and how things changed when they were banned. Were the slots good for business on the Grand Strand? Of course they were, but what was wrong was the Legislation that governed the control of those machines to the point that it was "overkill" and found in any nook and cranny that complied with the Law. Secondly, the State and County really had no way to collect it's "fair share" from those machines. I speak with experience on the matter since I ran machines in Baltimore for more than 8 years while running a local tavern and know how the machines worked.

We have a wonderful, but eroding beach and wonderful golf...How many other resort destinations, especially along the East Coast have that? We have another long list of failing and closed attractions and theaters, the most recent being the Hard Rock Theme Park debacle. We also have had a number of golf courses go out of business because the housing "boom", now a "bust" was a more viable money maker than running a golf course without enough golfers. We have the "seedy" gentleman's clubs up and down the Grand Strand, numerous dating services and massage parlors, gambling boats and a State run lottery. Look at the financial deal alone with those little casino boats, and the thoughts of a major casino or two should have everyone "salivating" with $$ signs.

My old home State of Maryland just had the voters authorize the placement of 15,000 slots at 5 selected locations. My friend in Pittsburgh told me how they approved a casino there and have a temporary one set up in a tent while the structure is being built and people are lining up outside to play. There was a gentleman from Connecticut who wrote and told me of the prosperity from legalized gambling there. I know of many people who travel to Tampa, Cherokee, Atlantic City, Louisiana and other places just to gamble money they could have spent here. What do you think attracts the majority of attention on the cruise ships...the Casino, it is filled almost each night!

This is not some stupid "pie in the sky" dream, but something that is echoed each day and agreed to by every person the idea is presented to. However, I present the idea with a Casino or two being voted in by the citizens of Horry County, and the proceeds from such being used to improve our roads and infrastructure, similar to what the State run lottery does with the schools. This would free up millions of dollars that could be used for many other things.

Would we have people with gambling addictions? Sure we would, but we have that now with people who play the Lottery and other games. They will find a way and find a bookie to satisfy their needs whether we have a Casino or not, just like we have people now who are addicted to legalized alcohol and tobacco. But what we would also have would be more people working and more income for the Horry County coffers. Just like our current recession is a trickle down effect, so would the Casino's, but with a more positive spin. More people in hotels equals more people in restaurants equals more people in the shows and more people on the golf courses and other tourist sites.

Think now of the future for Horry County before Marion County puts a "roadblock to the beach" up with their big Bingo Hall and RV Park that will only be the beginning there. I would like one or more of you to come forward with a legislative idea to present this to the voters of Horry County and let them decide. Just think of the up-front money we could get from a major player as a "franchise fee" alone, just for the right to build here. You tell me what we will need to get this issue on the ballot and I will create the necessary volunteers to work with you and get this issue passed. Our future in Horry County needs a better "driving force" than golf courses and sandy beaches. This is truly a "build it and they will come" idea for progress and financial gain for our community.

I await a reply from someone with the "courage" to do this!
God Bless
Happy Thanksgiving '08
Lou Krieger

Benefit golf Tourney - Cruise #8 - Commentary

2009-09-23T05:12:00.000-07:00

It’s been some time since our last communication, but as summer comes to a close, things are really starting to heat up here at the beach. I thought when the airport debacle was resolved; things would start moving forward, and in a more positive direction on the Grand Strand. But look, what has happened since that time.

1. MB Mayor John Rhodes and friends pulled the plug on the HD Bike Week, going so far as to tell bikers they were not wanted in MB. How can you be a resort destination and pick and choose who your visitors are? This was all brought about when Councilman Chestnut and some members of the clergy observed sexual activity and other degrading acts during the “Atlantic Beach Bike Fest” on the Boulevard. NOT THE HARLEY DAVIDSON FESTIVAL! So they have now taken their action to “TAKE BACK MAY” and the citizens of Myrtle Beach need to take action in November to “TAKE BACK MYRTLE BEACH FROM THESE POLITICIANS”. The main problem has always been with the Atlantic Beach Bikefest and their rowdy, trashing behavior, yet the Harley Rally was the first and main target.

2. What kind of representation do we have in office, or aspiring to be in office?? Retha Pierce, Mayor of Atlantic beach arrested for the 4^th time for DUI, which I’m sure is some mistake by the arresting officer or racial profiling, or maybe the officer was a racist. The race card has been played an awful lot lately and it’s getting on my nerves. She should have been booted out of office long ago. If Atlantic Beach cannot come up with a better candidate than this, the town should be absorbed by and run by North Myrtle Beach.

3. Liz Gilland being fined $300,000 for ethics violations. I called a “truce” between Liz and myself after she explained the whole “true” scenario surrounding the expansion of the MBI Airport Terminal to me. However, I must call her out for these violations! Now on top of that, we have this unauthorized use of a County Vehicle and of course the old news of her County Credit Card. Liz called the ethics violations an “oversight”, c’mon Liz. If a person is not honest enough and forthright to take care of business such as this, then how can you trust them in office? I can “poo poo” those foreign trips, because they can be beneficial in finding much needed business for the Grand Strand, but this is a real “no-no” Liz. In these “hi tech” times, everyone is watching everything.

4. How about Beatrice Catalano running for office of Mayor and now falling from grace being locked up for DUI and other moving violations. She must be going to the “Retha Pierce School of Politics”. Oops, that’s right, she is innocent until proven guilty.

5. How about that extra penny sales tax that was voted in to help promote tourism for the Myrtle Beach Area? How about charging Mayor Rhodes the 250K he gets in use for the Beach Ball Classic in the Convention Center. Couldn’t that money be used for advertising? How do you like not living in the Myrtle Beach area and being charged that extra penny tax each and every time you are in the city limits? Do you like paying an extra tax that will also see the MB City residents property taxes lowered, and if you don’t live in the City of MB getting nothing!

6. How about the MB Chamber of Commerce, the beneficiary of these funds to promote tourism, opens their books to the general public. I don’t have their tax returns, but read an article in one of our local magazines where Brad Dean was quoted as saying how the “labor workforce” has been streamlined and is more efficient. I was told by a reliable source that even though they have streamlined their workforce, the salaries paid for that same period went up drastically. If the MB Chamber of Commerce is using local taxpayer funds to advertise, then we should be able to look at their books to see how fiscally responsible they operate.

7. How about the helmet law? Do you think it is constitutional? Not long ago, I asked Rep. Alan Clemmons what would be needed to institute Casino Gambling on the Grand Strand. To make a long story short, Alan explained to me that since this was a statewide law, it would have to be put on the ballot and voted on by the entire state. I’m not a lawyer or a politician, but if the helmet law is a statewide law, how can the City Of Myrtle Beach supercede the state law and pass their own law, without being voted on by the residents? If they can do this “helmet law” legally, then they could vote to build and operate a Casino in the City. Speaking of Casino’s and gambling, I recently took my first trip out to sea on the Big M Casino Boat in Little River. I was pleasantly surprised by the hospitality, cleanliness, food on the buffet and the overall experience of being on the boat. The only problem with the Casino boats is the people who go out on them and get seasick by not being on land. The County used to have a problem with them operating out of our area until the Casino Boats upped the ante they are paying. Now, there is no problem, and it is a good tourist attraction. If you are a land lover, remember to take some Dramamine!

Speaking of tourism, there are “mixed” messages out there depending whom you talk to or who provides you with information. I just spoke with one restaurant owner who told me he would make it, but his business was off almost 40% from the year prior. His business has been a staple in the Garden City area for years, so he has a lot to compare from. Most people I know who work in the “hospitality” industry say they started taking a “hit” because of attendance for Bike Weeks and they have never recovered. Most say they won’t be spending much for Christmas or over the winter months, especially if we don’t have a good off-season. Although reports are coming out that the recession is ending, as Don Shunk pointed out, it will be years before it ends here on the Grand Strand because we are a resort and tourist based area. To me, this off-season will be a barometer to “gauge” the recession and “health” of the beach. We don’t know how many people will venture out for that golf vacation, weekend getaway or how many “snowbirds” will flock to the area this year. I look at the golf prices going up each week now and “cringe” when I see some of those rates in the paper. I started coming to Myrtle Beach because of the “cheap golf” on good courses and the great package deals. I truly think that the “locals” should be given a standard $30 rate on the courses no matter what time of year if a tee time is available. I know the Signature Golf Group has a “Platinum Card” (which I carry) that gives you rates from $25 to $35 for a great track like Arnold Palmers Rivers Edge and others. You also get e-mail blasts with specials as low as $20 and other great deals all the time. How about Golf Holiday charging maybe $50 for a membership like this and offering rates no higher that $35 for premium courses for available times. They could easily sell 2,000 of those and generate $100,000 for advertising and operating revenue. The courses need to take care of the people who are there for them on a year round basis. The "Off-Season" will be interesting to watch to see how many visitors take that extra trip or getaway weekend.

ADOPT A TREE GOLF TOURNAMENT SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8^TH

WACHESAW PLANTATION EAST, 8AM - $75.00 PER PERSON

If you enjoy the scenery on the Highway 17 By-pass from Glenn’s Bay Road to the Garden City Connector, come out and play golf and help us continue to expand, improve and maintain this road. Unlike the Pawleys Island/Litchfield areas that get over $100,000 per year for their highway beautification, ours survives on donations and money raised from our annual golf tournament. December of this year will mark the 7^th anniversary of the roadway that was created out of an “on air” joke. Two individuals, Buddy Sessions and Patrick Burke have been volunteering and working with me on the bypass for all of those 7 years and should be commended for their hard work and dedication. This is a “frugal” operation to say the least; we operate on $3,000 to $4,000 per year on the average because that is all we raise. The great folks from the Lakes Homeowners Association have supported this project from day one, and have given us $1,000 each year for the past 3 years. We intend to expand the road further South over the fall and winter months, and how much and what type of trees and shrubs plant will tie in directly with what we raise in donations. We are now working to rebuild most of the beds we have with “hardwood” mulch and top them with pine straw. I would like to thank L & L Landscaping and Pools and Larry and Linda Gross for their generosity and continued support with the program. Here is the information.

**ADOPT A TREE GOLF TOURNAMENT SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2009

**8AM SHOTGUN START – REGISTRATION STARTS AT 6:45AM

**CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH SERVED FROM THE OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE OF MURRELLS INLET, GREENS FEES, CARTS AND RANGE BALLS

**PRIZES FOR 1^ST PLACE MENS AND LADIES TEAMS-Golf 4 -4 and 4 pairs of Legends In Concert Tickets.

**GOLF FOR FOUR PRIZES FOR 2^ND THRU 10^TH PLACE (PROBABLY MORE)

**RAFFLES – 50-50 – CLOSEST TO PIN, LONG DRIVE AND OTHER PRIZES AND FUN

**LOTS OF TICKETS FOR PRIZES FROM LEGENDS IN CONCERT

**MULLIGANS AND MULLIGAN PACKAGES FOR SALE

**60 and over hit from Senior Tees

**59 and Under White Tees

**Ladies on Ladies Tees

TO SIGN UP CUT AND PASTE FROM BELOW:

Lou Krieger’s “Adopt-a-Tree” Program and

The Sons of Italy Lodge #2662

6^TH Annual

Benefit Golf Tournament for the Highway 17 By-Pass Beautification Project

Sunday November 8^th 2009

Wachesaw Plantation East - 2007 Course of the Year

GOLFERS:

1) Name ________________________________________________________ Phone ___________________________________

Address ____________________________________________ City ____________________ State ______ Zip__________

2) Name ________________________________________________________ Phone __________________________________

Address ____________________________________________ City ____________________ State ______ Zip__________

3) Name ______________________________________________________ _ Phone ___________________________________

Address _____________________________________________ City ___________________ State _______ Zip _________

4) Name _______________________________________________________

Phone __________________________________

Address _____ ________________________________________ City ___________________ State _______ Zip _________

Please make checks payable to: OSIA Lodge 2662 and mail to:

Lou Krieger

3264 Red Bird Lane

Myrtle Beach, SC 29588

843-215-3753

Help support the Lou Krieger Adopt-a-Tree Program, now in its 7th year.

The proceeds will help purchase trees, plants and supplies for maintenance.

This program is solely supported by local donations and all-volunteer labor.

6:45 a.m. Registration, 8am Shotgun Start

$75 per golfer includes continental breakfast, coffee and juice, green fees, cart, range balls Outback Steakhouse of Murrells Inlet lunch, contests and lots of prizes!

Entry deadline is November 2^nd - 2009

Space is limited—reserve early!

#####################################################

WON’T U LET ME TAKE U ON A SEA CRUISE??????

LOU KRIEGERS CRUISER’S

CRUISE NUMBER 8

MAY 8^TH TO 16^TH FROM SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico

SEE THE FLYER BELOW….

Lou Krieger’s Cruisers #8

May 8^th – 16^th - 2010

Aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines

“Serenade Of The Seas” From San Juan, Puerto Rico

Fly from Myrtle Beach International and spend a day touring San Juan** before the cruise. This is an 8-night cruise for the price of 7 nights with stops at:

Bridgetown, Barbados Cabin Prices (Cruise Only)

Castries, St. Lucia Inside Category M $784.83

St. Johns, Antigua Ocean View Category H $864.83

Philipsburg, St. Maarten Balcony Cabins $1074.83

St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands All Taxes & Port Fees Included in Pricing

SPACE IS LIMITED

**Fly from Myrtle Beach International (Group Price will be approx. $400 to $425 per person round trip)

**Accommodations on 5/6-7 @ Holiday Inn Express in San Juan $136

per night (not included in price)

**8 nights cruising and 2 nights in San Juan, 10 nights of the Caribbean as low as $1460 per person with all taxes, fees and air….

**Group Amenities include a pre-cruise meet and greet party, free cruise t-shirts, group cocktail party, group dance party in the Vortex, cash miniature golf with trophies and other contests…

CALL SAM STAMPS AT THE “CRUISE CORNER” AND RESERVE TODAY….1-888-742-7245 OR E-MAIL WWW.CRUZCORNER.COM

Lou Kriegers’s Cruisers

May 8-16th - 2010

D-Day, Doug Decker Honored, Fab 50's Fest. Update, Lou's Cruise and More!

2009-06-06T05:18:00.000-07:00

Preparing to enter "HELL" on D-DAY

Omaha Beach on D-Day

First and foremost...today is D-Day....please take time and pause to remember the thousands of lives that were lost in the Invasion Of Europe to put the Germans on the run. The courage and sacrifice of those soldiers that day is something that should never be forgotten as these great warriors continue to leave us daily. It is their courage and their sacrifice that made us into the "free" nation we are today!

The Fabulous Fifties Festival is on a roll now, literally! One of the elements of the Festival is our Saturday "Cruise In" on July 25th. Almost 60 Classic Cars will assemble at the Legends In Concert parking lot and line up for a "run" at approximately 3pm to the Chick Fil A in Murrells Inlet. The entourage will be escorted by the Surfside Beach Police Department and led by the Blues Brothers in their classic "Bluesmobile". Once there, the cars will be on display for a "People's Choice" competition show from 3pm until 7pm . We will also have contests and raffles and Frank Barnhill and myself will be spinning all the hits of the Fabulous 50's. The event is "FREE" and any proceeds from the event will benefit the Horry County Arts and Cultural Council, our designated charity. Other elements of the Fabulous Fifties Festival include:

**Friday 7/24 Golf Tournament - Wachesaw Plantation East

**Friday 7/24 Sock Hop at Studebakers

**Saturday 7/25 Cruise In to Chick Fil A in Murrells Inlet

**Saturday 7/25 Ultimate Elvis Contest sanctioned by Elvis Presley Enterprises at Legends in Concert.

For more information on any of these events go to:

http://myrtlebeachfabulousfiftiesfestival.com/

DOUG DECKER TO BE HONORED BY THE "ENERGY EFFICIENCY FORUM HALL OF FAME" IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Congratulations to a man I am glad to call my friend and a person who stood up with a few others to save the citizens of Horry County and the City Of Myrtle Beach "Millions and Millions of Dollars". I was there with him when Horry County Attorney John Weaver called this man a "Looney Tune" and then labeled our group as a bunch of "Chicken Littles". Doug is a man who relentlessly pursued the truth with the Airport Terminal with his own time and at his own expense. Without Doug Decker, we would be in the midst of a "bigger" and "must costlier" debacle than Horry County has ever seen. I could go on and on here reciting the erroneous information handed out by Horry County concerning the terminal, the construction, landing fees and the "pie in the sky" projections of visitors utilizing the facilities. However, in lieu of those, I would just like to congratulate Doug on an award well deserved, and say "thank you" for coming to the aid of Horry County and saving us those millions of dollars and educating me on the information I disseminated to the people while I was on the air. In my opinion, it was the only media venue that was airing the "truth" about what was really going on in the "good ole boy" community. I might further add that Doug is not even an Horry County resident, but didn't let a County line decide whether to pursue the truth or not. Thanks Doug!

For the entire story:
http://www.myrtlebeachalternatives.com/politics/934

PRESS RELEASE
Johnson Controls and U.S. Energy Association
nduct Energy Efficiency Leaders into Hall of Fame
June 15 Washington D.C. Event to Honor Pioneers in Energy Policy and Implementation

MILWAUKEE – (May 18, 2009) – As the United States and the world develop policies and actions designed to reduce energy and prevent climate change, Johnson Controls, Inc. (NYSE: JCI) and the United States Energy Association (USEA) will honor 22 people who have dedicated their careers to energy efficiency.

The inaugural Energy Efficiency Forum Hall of Fame event will take place Monday, June 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC. It precedes the 20th Anniversary of the Energy Efficiency Forum – the first such event of its type to convene high‑ranking politicians, business leaders, and NGOs to promote energy efficiency. The Forum takes place the following day at the National Press Club.

“Looking back over two decades we have seen many promises, policies and strategies in dealing with our energy challenges,” says Barry K. Worthington, USEA executive director and Forum co-chair. “We believe it’s appropriate to honor those who make energy efficiency their personal and professional passion.”

Profiles of the inductees can be found at http://www.eeforum.net/. The inductees include:

· Spencer Abraham, former U.S. Secretary of Energy
· Kateri Callahan, president, Alliance to Save Energy
· Eileen Claussen, president, Pew Center on Global Climate Change and Strategies for the Global Environment.
· Douglas Decker, founder, Energy Efficiency Forum
· Byron Dorgan, U.S. Senator, North Dakota
· Christine Ervin, former president, U.S. Green Buildings Council
· Thomas Friedman, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, and New York Times columnist
· David Garman, former Under Secretary of Energy
· John Gibbons, first director, U.S. Office of Energy Conservation
· Mark Ginsberg, former director, Federal Energy Management Program
· Kathleen Hogan, director, Climate Protection Partnerships Division. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
· Alexander “Andy” Karsner, former Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
· Thomas Kuhn, president, Edison Electric Institute
· Tom Leppert, former CEO of Turner Construction; mayor of Dallas
· Greg Nichols, mayor of Seattle
· Hazel O'Leary, former U.S. Secretary of Energy; president, Fisk University
· Governor Edward G. Rendell, governor of Pennsylvania
· Dan Reicher, former Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable energy; director, Climate Change and Energy Initiatives, Google.org.
· James Rogers, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Duke Energy
· Philip Sharp, former U.S. Congressman, Indiana; president, Resources for the Future
· Branko Terzic, former Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioner; regulatory policy leader – energy & resources, Deloitte Services LP
· Christine Whitman, former Governor of New Jersey, former EPA Administrator
· Timothy E. Wirth, former U.S. Senator, Colorado; president, United Nations Foundation

“Over the years these representatives from private industry and the public sector have in some way sponsored legislation, developed programs or otherwise represented what it takes to achieve energy efficiency through bipartisan government leadership and strong business implementation,” says C. David Myers, president of Johnson Controls Building Efficiency business.

Those to be inducted into the Hall of Fame include individuals who have advanced the mission of the Energy Efficiency Forum: To be the premier forum that promotes an energy efficiency ethic through the presentation of national and worldwide views on energy efficiency and the resulting impact on the environment, national security and economic growth.

LOU KRIEGER'S CRUISER'S - CRUISE #7 - A BIG SUCCESS!!

While the checkpoints and NEW helmet laws were being forced upon the Harley Davidson Bike Week, 26 of us were cruising in the Caribbean on the largest ship afloat, Royal Caribbeans "Freedom of the Seas". Imagine a large center promenade, pulsating to the disco beat of the 70's with the likes of John Travolta and the Village People and 3,000 cruiser's dancing away at midnight! Were we really on a ship at sea??? We had a blast with stops at the Grand Cayman Islands, Labadee, Royal Caribbeans private stop and Ocho Rios, Jamaica, where some of us traveled to a mountain top to take a "Jamaican Bobsled" ride...A W E S O M E!!! However, we did not stop in Cozumel, Mexico because of the threat of the H1N1 flu. On the ship we ran into couples from Monks Corner, Charleston and Prestwick. All were invited to our "Dance Party" at the disco, hosted by me that was the largest yet.

JOIN US FOR CRUISE NUMBER "8"

Plans are underway for our 8th Cruise on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines May 8th - 16th, 2010 from San Juan, Puerto Rico on the "Serenade Of The Seas". This is an 8 day cruise for the price of a 7 day cruise and will stop at:

Bridgetown, Barbados
Castries, St, Lucia
St. John's, Antigua
Phillipsburg, St. Mararten
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

We will FLY from Myrtle Beach on May 7th and spend a day in San Juan before boarding the ship. Our cruises feature a pre-cruise meet and greet, complimentary cruise t-shirts, onboard cocktail party, dance party and "cash" miniature golf tournament and lots of friends to check out the sites with. For more information and pricing, call SAM STAMPS at the CRUISE CORNER at 1-888-742-7245. Accommodations are currently being arranged in San Juan and airfare prices will be secured shortly.
SPACE IS "LIMITED" RESERVE YOUR CABIN EARLY!!!

IS HARLEY BIKE WEEK A THING OF THE PAST????

Since returning from the cruise, we have heard nothing but "negatives" as to how the City of Myrtle Beach has "shot themselves in the foot" pulling out the "welcome mat" from Harley Davidson Bike Week. On 5/26 I sent a letter to the editor of the Sun News that has yet to be published and goes as follows:

I keep seeing references made about crowds, noise, the bike week and people calling these events a disruption to their "retirement community". This is Myrtle Beach, a "RESORT COMMUNITY" where people come to for vacations, entertainment and yes, to retire. However, DO NOT confuse Myrtle Beach with places like "Sun City" or the 'Villages". Instead of creating new laws and losing our May business, why didn't our leaders adamantly point out that "ALL" bikers would be welcome, but our current laws would be "STRICTLY" enforced, as they should be year round. Instead, the MB City Council passed the "stupid" helmet law that will cost them and their constituents thousands more in legal fees. Maybe Mayor Rhodes can pay this year for use of the Convention Center for his "Beach Ball" classic to help cover some of those fees! Many of the bikers that come here for the rallies, return with their families in the summer. How many of those will come back now that the City Of Myrtle Beach has pulled out the "welcome" mat. We are first, and foremost a "RESORT" area where people come to vacation, let loose a little and be entertained. If you came here for the "peace and quiet" of a retirement community, you didn't research your move very well. If the beach is not quiet enough for you, there are alternatives and a great real estate market right now. Additionally, if the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce is so adamant about the penny sales tax for a "advertising blitz" for tourism; then I suggest the taxpayers also become adamant that the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce "open" their financial books to all citizens for more "accountability".

HOW EFFECTIVE WAS THIS NEW LAW???

It was effective enough that local businesses who lost a bundle have now formed a group to get rid of the politicians in Myrtle Beach that supported this action. It was so effective in Atlantic Beach that they are talking about INCLUDING a Fall Festival. The "repercussions" of this action will be felt for years here at the beach with the loss of this May revenue. HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL NOW HAVE TO COME TO THE BEACH TO REPLACE THE ESTIMATED 40 MILLION DOLLARS IN LOST REVENUE?? HOW WILL PEOPLE WHO COUNTED ON THIS ANNUAL REVENUE TO LIVE AND PAY THEIR BILLS GET BY??? IF DAYTONA AND OTHER AREAS CAN LIVE WITH HARLEY DAVIDSON FESTIVALS, WHY CAN'T WE??

SEXUAL PREDATORS "NEVER" STOP PREYING ON OUR YOUNG!

On Saturday February 28th, my good friend Buddy Sessions and I drove to Florida to take part in the 4th Annual "Jessie's Ride" to help raise funds for "Jessie's Place" a children advocacy center in Crystal River, Florida. Hundreds of bikers were on hand and thousands of dollars were raised for the fund. Also, we delivered to Mark some long overdue items he asked for following his visits to South Carolina to help pass "Jessie's Law" here. Thanks to Senators Ray Cleary and Jake Knotts for providing those items. I appreciate Mark taking the time on the run to stop by the cemetery so we could pay our respect to a little girl we never had the opportunity to meet.

Before, during the run and the "get together" afterward, Mark continued to ask everyone to continue to write, e-mail or phone your legislators and tell them to appropriate the money to help fight the lowly predators, especially those on the run and hiding the "absconders". Look at the SC SLED website, punch in your zip code or address and see who is living near you... Remember this is a young girl who was taken right from her home! Keep your doors and windows locked and be aware of who is around you and your children at all times.

Here is the SLED link:

http://services.sled.sc.gov/sor/

Please be thankful to Mark Lunsford for all that he has done for the children of South Carolina and all across the United States. His personal tragedy and perseverance has changed the laws for child sexual predators in almost 35 states. The only tragedy is "why" it is taking the other states so long, or why have they "balked" at increasing the penalties for these perverts? Like the t-shirt says "SAVE A CHILD - PROSECUTE A PEDOFILE"

SONS OF ITALY FESTIVAL JUNE 27th and 28th at Market Common

Don't forget to stop by for the Sons Of Italy Festival with great food and entertainment. I will be the host emcee for the entertainment stage for another segment of the Sun Fun Festival. For more information, click on the link below and then go to the bottom of the page for the Festival Flyer.
http://www.sonsofitalylodge.com/
On the radio front...no jobs for Lou...or many other announcers across the United States. To date, more than 4,000 DJ's have become unemployed as major radio corporations try to cut their losses. WHERE IS THE DJ's BAILOUT??????

God Bless

Lou

Fabulous 50's Festival On The Way

2009-05-04T04:49:00.000-07:00

Well, our Fabulous 50’s Festival is now officially on it’s way for the weekend of July 24th and 25th. All of the proceeds from the events held that weekend would benefit the work of the Horry County Arts and Cultural Council. These events and our weekend are also co-sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce and a part of the annual Sun Fun Festival. Our weekend will start with the “kick off” Golf Tournament at the 2007 Grand Strand Course of the Year and former host to the L.P.G.A., Wachesaw Plantation East. Our Tournament is Co-Sponsored by the Signature Golf Group, Martins Golf, and Legends in Concert, Grand Strand Golf Association, Krispy Kreme and Chick Fil A of Murrells Inlet, who will be doing lunch after the tournament. The tournament will begin at 7:15am, Friday July 24th with a cost of $59.00 per player, but you will receive a $10 gift card at registration. Coffee and Donuts will be provided for breakfast, with soda and water on the course (free) and a beverage cart girl (cash). Lunch will be provided after the tournament at Chick Fil A, just down the street. Thanks to Scott Taylor at Signature Golf, Chris Beattie at Legends In Concert and Ben Hunt from the Grand Strand Golf Association, we have lots and lots of prizes to give away. The winning team gets $200 cash; we have a prize for the 1st place ladies teams and probably the 2nd to 10th positions. This is going to be a lot of fun (especially if you purchase the Mulligan Package for $20) and fifties attire will be permitted on the course. I would also like to thank Wachesaw Plantation East General Manager Rob Mosser for his assistance in getting this tournament off the ground. Thanks also to Harry Marcus and the folks at Chick Fil A who came to our rescue to make this a very affordable tournament.

REGISTRATION BLANKS can be picked up in the lobby of Wachesaw Plantation East, or by e-mailing me at LOUK1065@AOL.COM. We are also accepting hole sponsors @ $100 each and is tax deductible. I can also provide you with a form if you wish to participate that way. Or, you can go to our Fabulous 50’s Web Site for all the information and registration at http://www.myrtlebeachfabulousfiftiesfestival.com/

FRIDAY NIGHT – Let’s get ready to rock and roll…….Fabulous Fifties Style…with our SOCK HOP at STUDEBAKERS from 7:30pm till ??? Diane DeVaughn Stokes will be your host that night with an evening of contests and surprises. Michael Sokolik of Socastee, last years winner of the “Ultimate Elvis Contest” at Legends In Concert will give a special performance, and maybe some other rock and roll stars may appear??? The cost is just $25 per person, which includes a year’s membership in the Horry County Arts and Cultural Council. Hors D’ Oeuvres will be available with a “cash bar”, silent and live auctions, Fabulous 50’s contests and more. I will also be joining the DJ’s in the Studebakers booth to perform a little show with my favorite songs of the 50’s. C’mon now, you all know I’m that old….and happy to be able to perform once again. Tickets are available at the Chamber of Commerce and Legends in Concert ticket booth with more locations coming.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON – Classic Car Cruise In – From 2-3pm Vintage Classic Cars will assemble at the Legends In Concert Parking Lot. Promptly at 3pm, all the cars, lead by the Blues Brothers in their Blues Mobile and the Surfside Beach Police Department will ride in a parade formation from Legends in Concert to the Chick Fil A in Murrells Inlet. The cars there will be on display and judged by the visitors to the event. We will give out trophies for the “People’s Choice” 1st, 2nd and 3rd place vehicles.
We will have up to 50 vehicles on display and my former morning partner Frank Barnhill will join me in playing the great hits of the 50’s from 3-7pm. We will also have contests and raffles during the event that will be “FREE” for everyone. I would like to thank Harry Marcus from Chick Fil A for their involvement with our event for the golf tournament and the car show. And, speaking of the car show, thanks to Jim Zimmerman from the Myrtle Beach Car Club for his help in getting the vehicles together for the event.

SATURDAY EVENING - The Ultimate Elvis Contest at 8pm at Legends in Concert
Legends in Concert presents The Second Annul Myrtle Beach Preliminary Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist™ Contest. Licensed by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. July 25, 8 p.m. Winner will receive $1,000 cash prize and be eligible to compete for the title of Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist™ of the Year August 2009 in Memphis. Legends in Concert, Surfside Beach. $30 regular seating and $35 VIP/preferred seating. 800-960-7469. For more information and to enter the contest call 843-477-5678 EXT 311.

I will be a judge once again at the competition and look forward to another great contest just like last year. Any Elvis fan would be thoroughly entertained and enjoy the excitement surrounding the competition and choosing the winner. This entire weekend of events was the idea of my good friend and General Manager of Legends in Concert, Chris Beattie….thanks to everyone who has volunteered and joined in to make this concept not only a reality, but part of the Sun Fun Festival and something we can look forward to each year….”Be there or be square…..dig?”

What's Up With Lou????

2009-02-22T06:55:00.000-08:00

It’s been a while since I have written and many of you have been asking what I have been up to. In addition to trying to find some form of employment, I have been very active in the community, out in the 17 by-pass with my volunteers, and have some great events coming up, so please mark them on your calendars.

Coming up first, I will be traveling south to New Port Richey at the end of the month for a Harley Davidson “Party and Poker Run”. This is not just “any” run, this is “Jessie’s Ride” for “Jessie’s Place”, the Citrus County Child Advocacy Center named and supported by the Jessica Lunsford Foundation headed up by her father Mark Lunsford. My good friend and by-pass helper Buddy Sessions will go along with me to participate in this ride. These Harley Davidson bikers we are trying to “run out of the beach” were instrumental “all across the country” raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to help enact consistent laws across the country for “child sexual predators”. Because of Mark’s appearance several times in our area and across the state, and because of the more than 17,000 petition signatures obtained here on the Grand Strand, and because of the hard work of our local legislators in the House and Senate, especially Alan Clemmons, we were able to enact the “toughest” Jessie’s’ Law in the United States in South Carolina.

Mark has been busy working with the “Surviving Parents Coalition” and will be in Washington, D.C. this week with John Walsh and others, continuing to urge our elected officials to continue to crack down on these perverts.

Thanks to Senator Ray Cleary, I have some special items to give to Mark from the South Carolina Legislature. If you feel that your child is safer because of our laws, and the laws Mark has help enact across the country, make a contribution to help at http://www.jessiesplacecitrus.org/ or if you want any information of the run on February 28th, log on to http://www.hdcrystalriver.com/ and click on the events section. Just so you know, the guy who is running all over the United States and has been for years, Mark Lunsford is a BIKER! When Mark asked me on the phone what was happening in Myrtle Beach, I told him they are “shooting themselves in the foot”, mainly due to the behavior surrounding the Atlantic Beach Bikefest Memorial Day Weekend Event. I will reiterate what I always said on the air, this is not a Black/White issue, but more one of demographics.

On March 28th, I will be attending a 1st time reunion with 5 other comrades I served with in the Central Highlands of Vietnam from January 1968 to September of 1969. This will be the first time we have seen each other in person since then. We will be meeting just outside of Columbia, and I’m sure there will be a lot of laughter and tears. We were all assigned to the 330th Radio Research Company, part of the Army Security Agency. Our mission, intercepting hostile communications, breaking them down, and informing our forces of movements by the enemy. Our base camp was on Engineer Hill; also know as Camp Holloway in Pleiku, South Vietnam.

From there, some of us traveled to different small detachments scattered all over the Central Highlands in support of operations against the enemy. It was one hell of a way to enter into manhood, in a combat zone. It was even funny, coming home from my first tour at 19 years old, and being refused a beer because I wasn’t 21. See if you can pick me out in the picture?

Coming up on May 10th – 17th, it the 7th Annual “Lou Krieger’s Cruisers” trip on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines to the Western Caribbean on the “Freedom Of The Seas”, the largest ship at sea. We will depart from Port Canaveral, Florida and have a lot of events associated with our group. Accommodations have been set up for people arriving early at the Radisson Resort At The Port and we already have 28 people signed up to go.

IF YOU DON’T WANT TO BE AT THE BEACH FOR HARLEY DAVIDSON WEEK, HERE IS YOUR CHANCE TO GET OUT OF TOWN. We will be sailing on the “Freedom Of The Seas” the Largest Cruise Ship Afloat !

Call Sam, our travel agent at the Cruise Corner at 1-888-742-7245 for more information. Our prices start at $949 and include all of your port fees, taxes and surcharges…no surprises! We have a pre-cruise meet and greet scheduled for April 26th, so call today to join us!

Next on the list is the upcoming Sons Of Italy Lodge 2662 Italian Festival to be held on June 27th and 28th from 11am until 6pm at the Market Common in Myrtle Beach. This is the first of two Italian Festivals; the second will be in the fall. On hand will be lots of food and vendors and also some fantastic entertainment. I will be the emcee on the Legends in Concert Entertainment Stage with a variety of “free” shows you won’t want to miss. “Margaret Curry”, a fantastic vocalist and guitarist will open the show for us each day, she will be followed by the “Dean Martin Variety Show featuring the Goldiggers”,

the fantastic “Blues Brothers” from Legends In Concert and closing the show each day, “Michael Sokolik the 2008 Ultimate Elvis Winner” at Legends in Concert sponsored by Elvis Presley Enterprises. We will also have lots of Italian Music, Food and some other local performers in between those acts.

Another event I’m working on with Diane DeVaughn Stokes, Chis Beattie from Legends in Concert and Sandi Kendrick from the Horry County Arts and Cultural Council is the “Fabulous 50’s Weekend” as a part of the Sun Fun Festival on July 24th and 25th. This two day event kicks off with the “Fabulous 50’s Golf Tournament” on Friday morning for $59.00 per person, on Friday evening a sock hop will be held at “Revolutions” where I will guest DJ and a national recording artist or group will appear also. Right now I believe the Tams are one of the groups we are trying to have perform with us. We will have lots of contests associated with the “sock hop” and also a “silent auction” and some other things. On Saturday July 25th, a “Fabulous 50’s” festival at the Market Common from 10am-3pm with music, displays and contests, including a “Kids Elvis” contest that should be a lot of fun.

At 4pm that day a “classic car cruise” will take place to “Ragtops and Roadsters” in Murrells Inlet, located on the 17 Bypass. At 8pm, the “Fabulous 50’s Weekend” concludes with the “Ultimate Elvis Contest” at Legends in Concert. The winner of the contest will head to Memphis, Tennessee and compete in the final with other winners from across the country. The event is sanctioned by “Elvis Presley Enterprises” in Memphis. Last year 15 impersonators from across the country and Canada performed to a “sellout” crowd at Legends in Concert. If you want to see this competition, you need to get your tickets early.

Another date to put down on your calendar would be Saturday November 7th for the Adopt A Tree Golf Tournament. This tournament is the ONLY way we have of getting funds to continue to beautify and maintain the Highway 17 By-pass from Glenn’s Bay Road south to the Garden City Connector. This is a “volunteer” project that began as a joke on the radio it 2002, and has added a lot of color and beauty to our highway. Although we have the date, we don’t have a location yet, but we will have a tournament since we wish to expand a bit south down past the entrance to Indigo Creek. Indigo Creek residents….if you want some Palm Trees, we need some cash…that is what the Lakes did. They are $250 apiece to plant, we need a minimum of 5 trees, that’s $1250.00

I hope this gets you up to speed with what is happening, I’m still positive that Horry County will not get funding for the expansion and improvement of our airport terminal. I have received no response on numerous requests to Horry County for information on the sale of land that was to produce $25 million for this project and the Governor’s Office is adamant that they will not be giving Horry County $15 million also. That is what Liz and the rest of the crew went to D.C., only to get a “chilly” reception by the FAA reminding them of their previous failure. Although some money was received from the Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority for the expansion of Harrelson Blvd., they still remain millions short. At least the Horry County Council had enough sense not to buy into all of these laws enacted by the City Of Myrtle Beach. I remain on the side that says Myrtle Beach and Horry County should just enact the laws that are on the books, for cars and trucks as well as motorcycles. If the Harley Davidson Spring Bike Week crowd is successful in “boycotting” businesses and hotels in the City Of Myrtle Beach, you will then hear the outcry from those folks as well. What are we a retirement community or a resort/vacation community? I came here because we were a resort and vacation community and like the action and events…it is going to be an INTERESTING summer season.

Many thanks goes out to Rolling Thunder Chapter 3 of South Carolina for the effort they put forth to honor the veterans of the “forgotten” Korean Conflict, not war as it is called. A conflict that cost over 54,000 lives with over 8,000 still “Missing In Action”. If you are ever at the Market Common, make it a point to stop by the Valor Memorial Garden and see the memorial. Just another “great thing” that bikers have done in our community and believe me this was no “simple” undertaking. I will always remember the members of Rolling Thunder who gave of their time to say “WELCOME HOME” to the veterans that were on the last two Washington, D.C. trips. It was something I never received coming back from Vietnam, except from my immediate family!

Speaking of “bikers”, when I approached some members of the Legislature concerning the building of a Casino or two in Myrtle Beach, I was told that the gambling laws were “statewide” and it would have to be placed on the ballot for the entire state to approve. If this is the case, then how come the City Of Myrtle Beach can override a state law concerning the wearing of helmets for motorcyclists???? If they can, then maybe they should just tell the state, “if you are cutting our funding in Horry County and the City Of Myrtle Beach, we will just take a vote, and if it passes, build a casino!” I don’t see any difference, only if the measure were not carried locally. But then again, I’m not a politician….and DON’T intend on becoming one.

Speaking of politicians, I cannot leave without getting my dig in on Liz Gilland and her remark about her Rally vote. The one I am referring to is the comment about hitting the yes and no buttons at the same time! It’s a wonder the woman can sit in that chair with all the splinters in her butt from riding the fence! By the way Liz, by you hitting both buttons at the same time, or so you say, wasn’t that “gambling?” It’s ILLEGAL!

More to come……

God Bless,
Lou

Horry County and Sun News Continue to Mislead Citizens

2008-12-09T04:02:00.000-08:00

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!

Childs Christmas Gifts Destroyed By Fire

2008-11-26T06:19:00.000-08:00

On November 18th, 2008, a fire at 454 St. Charles Circle destroyed the Christmas gifts for little Madison Pegram along with her home near Palmetto Point. The name "Pegram" my not ring a bell, but Madison's father's radio name will...Rick Roberts. I had the pleasure of working with Rick when he was on K-Country 103.1, watching daily as he gave "unselfishly" of himself to the community he loves so much. During my years at Sunny 106.5, I observed Rick raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the St. Jude Children's Hospital and many other charities along the Grand Strand. If you needed help in the community, all you needed do was call Rick, and if he was available, he would be there.

It is at a time like this, that the people who reached out for Rick's help over all those years, return that favor, if possible, with a donation to help re-purchase Madison's Christmas gifts. It doesn't matter how much you can send, just show Rick and his daughter the love he showed to the community and our residents. Rick is not aware of this post, it is something that was put together with Horry County Sheriff Jeff Benton (currently at Gator 107.9)and myself, in lieu of having some sort of fundraiser. I would hope that every member of the broadcast community along the Grand Strand take up a collection at your respective station to help a fellow broadcaster out!

Rick's address is:

Miss Madison Pegram
c/o Rick Pegram
415 Garden Dr.
Surfside Beach SC., 29575

May all of you that read this have a "blessed" Thanksgiving and a "Merry Christmas" and please don't forget to keep our troops in your thoughts and your prayers, serving us proudly in those far away places.

God Bless the United States Of America!
Lou

Bike Week Solution, Radio, Gaming and More

2008-11-17T05:39:00.000-08:00

While the municipalities try to iron out what needs to be done during the bike weeks and our local economy and businesses continue to crumble, it is time to speak out on what I perceive needs to be done in a realistic way. Since I spent many summers working as a teen in Ocean City, Maryland and visited there quite frequently, the roads there were, and continue to be "gridlocked" just about every weekend during the season. That is the price you pay for living in a resort area with a mix of retirees and vacationers. I have NEVER been to, or have seen any motorcycle rallies until I came to Myrtle Beach. Until this year, the lawmakers in our community seemed afraid to make any "drastic decisions" to alter these two events. But following a senseless shooting and our elected officials and ministers personally observing this "lewd" behavior, the City Of Myrtle Beach stepped up to the plate to "regain control".

I am in agreement with our constitution and laws stating that all people should be "treated equally", but this is not the case when it comes to both of these rallies. It is more a case of "Noise" from the Harley's and the "Lewd and Lawlessness" during the Black Bike Weekend. For 13 years now, I have been out in the streets and on the back of a motorcycle for both. Just like I don't like any loud exhaust systems on trucks and cars, I don't like them on any motorcycles either. We have laws on the books to cover all of these vehicles and they should be enforced on a year round basis, plain and simple. Make it known that all the motorcycles driven on our roads be street legal, and the problem would just be the traffic. The Harley's are an organized group with events all over the beach, they spend lots of money and are a "revenue generator" for the Grand Strand. So if the main problem is "noise" then address the issue County wide on a year round basis, but for cars and trucks as well.

Next comes the Atlantic Beach Bike Festival or the Black Bike Week or Weekend, however you wish to call it. Here are some of the big problems that distinguishes the two events observed during my 13 years of living here. First, the rally is sanctioned by a town that cannot even run itself, much less a rally of this size. Also, the rally is noted for it's public sex, nudity, urination and mischievous behavior and disregard for our traffic laws. The ABBF is also a slap in the face for one of our most "solemn" holidays to reflect and respect those who served and gave their lives for our country. Most of the Harley Davidson people come here for the week, the Atlantic Beach Bike Festival attendees come, for the most part, a long weekend, usually accompanied by as many or more cars than motorcycles. They trash the area wherever they go, walk out on meals and continuously show nudity and sex on TV screens in those vehicles, as well as what is observed in the street. That in itself, differentiates the two rallies as far as the income spent and the behaviour by both groups.

A solution that would be fair and equitable to all parties would be to allow both events to continue, but to warn all who come, that all the laws on the books, in our cities and our counties will be STRICTLY ENFORCED! Work with both groups and DO NOT allow these festivals to be held on back to back weeks and major holiday weekends. Also, move the Atlantic Beach Bike Festival to another weekend/week, and give Memorial Day Weekend back to all tourists and properly honor the Veterans.

Until our elected officials can join together on a plan such as this, you can also GET AWAY on a trip with LOU KRIEGER'S CRUISER'S from May 10th - 17th 2009 (Bike Week) from Port Canaveral, Florida on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines "Freedom of the Seas" one of the largest ships afloat. This is our 7th year in a row of cruising with our group, this time heading to the Western Caribbean with stops at Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman Islands, Labadee and Cozumel, Mexico. Our "all inclusive" price starts at $1019 per person (with fuel surcharge) and we also have a block of rooms at the Raisin Resort At The Port to arrive a day early, park and leave your car for "FREE" and be shuttled for "FREE" to and from the port. The rooms are $110 per night plus tax....the parking fee at Port Canaveral is almost $90, so it's a good deal to arrive early.
Reservations can be made at the Cruise Corner with Sam Stamps at 1-888-742-7245. In addition to the cruise we have a "pre-cruise meet and greet" "on board cocktail party" "disco dance party with Lou" "cash and trophy miniature golf tournament" and more. Entertainment also include an on board "ice rink" with shows from world class skaters, casino gambling, Vegas Shows and great food and service.

CALL AND BOOK TODAY WITH SAM AT

1-888-742-7245

One of the things we really enjoy on the cruises is a chance to sit down in a Casino and play the slots (as cheap as 5 cents) play some poker, spin the roulette wheel or throw some dice. This is one of the forms of entertainment missing here on the Grand Strand. We have literally hundred of Bingo Parlors and Ships that will take you offshore, but nothing on land except the State run lottery if you want to gamble. States across the nation and all around us continue to open up gaming parlors or casino's on a regular basis. My one friend in Pittsburgh said they voted to open a casino and set up a temporary gambling tent until the casino could be built. He further stated there and people standing outside in lines to get in and place their bets. My original home state of Maryland put it on the ballot to place 15,000 slots at 5 designated locations and it passed overwhelmingly. I don't see the problem of having gambling here in Myrtle Beach, as long as it is strictly regulated, unlike when the video poker machines where here in just about every closet space. I'm talking about one or two casinos, where the proceeds would go to benefit the citizens like in road and infrastructure maintenance and improvements and/or reduce the property tax. Too many residents are leaving our area for these "gaming" locations, and others not coming because they can vacation at places where they can. We need a vehicle to bring people to Myrtle Beach and a "casino" is that vehicle. Is a Casino here any worse than all the "gentleman's clubs" scattered all over the community? Put it on the ballot, the citizens will pass it! The tourists will come!

Looks like a return to radio is not in my future here on the Grand Strand, due to the decline of "live people" in radio all across the United States. I will more than likely be spending my last few years until retirement doing something else. I thank each and every one of you that took the time to call Will Isaacs at Movin 94.5. They will not be adding any additional staffing, if any, until the 1st of the year. I don't know right now what that something else will be, I have been looking since the day they blew our station up on April 2, 2008. As my former company's stock continues to drop to new lows (Cumulus Broadcasting CMLS) at .58 cents a share this morning 11-18-08, they continue to cut their bottom line with releasing more "live" air talent.

FINALLY, more than 7 months after being terminated, I was REIMBURSED with a check from Cumulus Broadcasting for the JUDGEMENT I won against former Market Manager Layne Ryan and Human Resources Head in Myrtle Beach, Nancy Zito. This JUDGEMENT was for personal property of mine that was not returned, along with some items paid for by contributions to the "Adopt A Tree Highway". I didn't really care about the couple of personal items of mine, but it ticked me off big time that they would not return the items that the people in the community paid for that we used in the by-pass beautification project.

Speaking of the by-pass project, I received a check from the Sons Of Italy on Monday 11/17 for $2,450 from the golf tournament held for the Adopt A Tree Program and the Sons Of Italy Lodge 2662. We also received a $1,000 donation from the Lakes POA and another $1,000 donation from a anonymous donor and another $250 donated by mail. That gives us $4,700 to work with for the upcoming year, money that was really needed for the project since we were in the "red" prior to the golf tournament. Many thanks to those who played and the people who donated golf and other prizes to help make the tournament a success. If I can ever find out how Pawleys Island/Litchfield gets $100,000 a year for their median project, we can work on improving our also. However, like we have been in the past, we must remain "fiscally responsible" and stretch the dollars as far as possible. Also, thanks to all the members of the Sons Of Italy Lodge 2662 and my other friends who donated their time as volunteers prior to and during the golf tournament.

Have a "happy" and "blessed" Thanksgiving...Keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers, defending our "freedom"....

Lou Is Trying To Return To Airwaves Of The Grand Strand

2008-10-10T06:14:00.000-07:00

I have asked for the help of the Grand Strand Community for many charitable causes over the years, and even help in the passage of Jessica's Law, the child sexual predators bill that the Grand Strand was instrumental in passing, with the residents signing over 17,000 petitions. I am now going to do something I have never done, that is to ask my former listeners and residents of the Grand Strand to "HELP ME GET A JOB BACK IN RADIO". I applied in the early part of September to work at the "New Movin 94.5" that is really a "jammin" station. I was told to call back in mid October, since no firm date had been set for "live" announcers to be placed on the station. About 2 weeks ago I produced and dropped off a public service announcement for the 'Adopt A Tree Highway" golf tournament on November 1st. Because I started off the announcement identifying myself, I have received over a dozen calls asking if I was working at Movin 94.5. In fact, I was stopped twice yesterday at COSTCO by their employees asking the same question.

I love the Grand Strand and want to continue to be a part of the Community and to help in any way I can. Some folks have asked me to run for "political office" but I am not, and have no desire to enter politics. What I am asking my former friends and listeners to do, is to just make a call to "Movin 94.5" at 9 0 3 - 9 9 6 2 and leave a message for Will Isaacs that you would like them to include Lou Krieger as a member of their "live" staffing. I made a promise to myself and to our Almighty Father when I took over the morning show at Sunny 7 years ago, it was to do good things and make a difference in the Community. I want to continue to carry that torch and need your help to do so.

Your calls, I believe can make a difference.
Thanks
God Bless
Lou

If I don't get this job at "Movin 94.5" I may never be heard on a Grand Strand station again, so I really need your help!

Reading Between The Lines On the Airport Study Committee Meeting

2008-10-02T06:05:00.000-07:00

After attending the first two hours of the State sponsored committee meeting, examining whether or not to overhaul the current management at Myrtle Beach International Airport, I quickly got bad vibes from the Horry County Council’s delegation over the first motion. A simple motion that the committee “would not present any sort of impediment to the current estimated 135 million dollar plan to expand and renovate the current facility”, brought forth at least and hour of back and forth conversation and amendments, then retraction of some of those proposed amendments before passage of the first motion. It was the words and phrases coming out of the Horry County Council members that had me concerned, because it was not what I expected to hear. The Horry County Council delegation to the committee consisted of Harold Worley, Carl Swartzakopf, Howard Barnard, Marion Foxworth, with Liz Gilland ready to lend a hand. To be fair to all because of my vantage point in the room, I’m not sure of who was making what comment, but that each County Council member expressed same concern. I will convey those comments and you can decide for yourself.

When we go behind the curtain in that ballot booth to vote, we go there with the intention of voting for the best available “leader” in the election. After Horry County Council voted to construct a new terminal costing hundreds of millions of dollars more on the West Side of the runway, those same Horry County Council Members now express concern over following through with the current proposal. That’s right, amid concerns over “one million a month in inflation cost” the “coming deadline in March for FAA funding for the upcoming year” the “loss of 17 million on the last project” (plus I think 9 million back to the FAA). Also mentioned was the “threat of an Airport Authority hanging over their heads” and (this is a good one) “because it’s an election year” they did not feel comfortable voting to spend 135 million dollars, with a chance of the project being “yanked out from under them”. Let’s see, so when it’s not an election year, you can vote to spend 350 million dollars plus. Now with an election coming up, they really are afraid of which way to go, even though according to Rick Ott, from MB Kahn calling Myrtle Beach International the fastest growing airport in our state. Of course, I have never heard back on information where Mr. Ott obtained those statistics. So I must ask what kind of leadership is that to you? Or could it be the realization with the historic rise in the price of oil, not only being detrimental to the airline industry, but also the everyday consumer and their increased cost across the board. The consumer will thereby decrease the amount of time and money they can spend for vacations or getaways, just like realignment and tightening up on flights that continues almost every day by the airline industry. With the loss of 2 carriers this year, that will be detrimental, in my and many others opinion, to incoming flights at Myrtle Beach International Airport.

Should we remodel and should we expand? By the airport management’s own admission, with the exception of the weekends when people are coming in and out for their stay, the airport is underutilized.
With this in mind, and considering the profit margin of business by MBI shown by the millions of dollars currently held in what is called their “Enterprise Fund”, the management of the airport should implement a plan that is maybe more “feasible” with the current economy and direction of the airport industry. I always hear that the current building does not meet with the current building codes and the seismic criteria and has to be brought up to code. I all my years in real estate and appraising, many commercial businesses and buildings that were sold or transferred were exempt from changes and “grand fathered” in because of their construction date. Could this also be the case with the current terminal building?? If the Horry County Council is so afraid now of moving on with this project, maybe we should do this expansion in stages, instead of all at once. First and foremost would be the renovation of the current terminal that has been allowed to “decay” by the current management team. The terminal has a leaking roof; a bad heating and A/C system and more, existing money in the “Enterprise Fund” could be utilized for that. The current building was allowed to fall into disrepair by the current management, so sure the new West Side terminal was going to be built. Hire the extra people and scanning equipment needed to keep people moving in and out during these busy weekend periods to speed up arrivals and departures and the handling of baggage. Keeping in mind the plans that are presently on the table, get a road into the airport from Business 17 as well as the current access off the Highway 17 By-Pass. Start work on a two or three tiered parking garage to accommodate the current and future traffic at the terminal. After these more “fiscally responsible” changes are implemented, we can then concentrate on adding more gates if the need exists.

County Administrator Danny Knight and his crew mentioned that 400 acres have been set aside to try and attract some “air freight” business and although there appears to be some interest, no contracts or proposals have been signed. Mr. Knight also talked about having some news from some airlines concerning Myrtle Beach coming in the next 2-3 weeks but did not expand on that either. Mr. Knight also talked about a 2006 Louis Berger Group study on the airports management and 16 items that were listed that could improve the operation of MBI. At the time of the meeting, Mr. Knight said that 14 of the 16 items presented by the study were addressed and they were working or the last two items. One of those items was to hire a “Marketing Director” for the airport, a position critical to attracting “new business” for the airport. That position has just recently been advertised, and would “beef up” the current marketing done by the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce and Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. It was the Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday that paid for the Boyd Group study concerning what needs to be done to attract and keep business here in Myrtle Beach. If you recently read in the news about the “FAILURE” of the Hard Rock Park, the lack of funds for marketing was also listed as a reason for their failure along with the sagging economy. Since Horry County knew 2 years ago that a Marketing Director was needed, and did not act until just recently, it makes me wonder if the State sponsored Airport Study Group was the reason this item, one of the 16 listed was finally acted upon. Since the media present were not provided with a copy of this Louis Berger Group Study, I don’t know what all of the 16 items were or I would have listed them.

The next meeting is scheduled for October 16, the public is welcome and should attend…

Anybody Want To Invest In The Hard Rock Park???
Horry County Should Not, But Liz Say They Will Listen
Build A Casino And They Will Come….In Droves!

Isaac Bailey Steps Up To Help Veterans Trip to D.C.

2008-09-21T05:24:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Isaac Bailey from the Sun News for giving us some much needed ink to help fill up our 2nd bus for the Veterans Trip to Washington, D.C. on November 8th and 9th on Coast To Coast Transportation.

Because of the addition of members from the VFW and American Legion in Florence, we have extended the cut-off date until SEPTEMBER 29TH....

Since Isaac Baileys column, we have generated 12 more passengers and received over $800 in donations for the trip.

We have veterans and their spouses from WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm going, wives of deceased veterans and supportive "non-military" citizens going along also.

This will be the FINAL CALL!

$200 person double occupancy $250 Single

Includes:
Round Trip Transportation from Coast to Coast
Donuts in the morning upon departure
Room accomodations at the Comfort Inn and Suites at the Pentagon
Dinner Saturday Evening
All American breakfast Sunday Morning
Ticket to Tram Tour at Arlington National Cemetery (3 hours)
Lunch following Tour
Service Caps for Everyone
Services at WWII Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Iwo Jima Memorial Saturday evening with candlelight procession from one to another. We will also have a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington

CALL PATRICK T O D A Y TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE 2 9 3 - 8 4 3 1

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA CHAPTER 925
C/O PATRICK BURKE
100 FREEDOM CIRCLE
MYRTLE BEACH, SC 29588

DONATIONS CAN BE MADE TO THE SAME ADDRESS, WE ARE A TAX EXEMPT ORGANIZATION......THIS TRIP IS "NOT FOR PROFIT" ANY LEFTOVER FUNDS WILL BE DONATED TO THE "PERPETUAL CARE FUND" FOR THE WASHINGTON, D.C. MEMORIALS AND MAYBE SOME FREE TRIPS RAFFLED OFF!

PLEASE READ ISAACS ARTICLE!

ISSAC J. BAILEY A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

Vets offered 2nd chance at closure!

L ou Krieger, formerly of WSYN-FM, 106.5, and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 925, Myrtle Beach, want to do it again.
Last year they spearheaded a fundraising effort that allowed 120 World War II veterans to fly to Washington, D.C., to visit the WWII war memorial.
This year, they want to take two bus loads of veterans, the spouses who didn't get to go last year and others interested on a similar trip.
The first bus is full. Krieger wants to fill up the second, too.
"I was just inspired by that trip last year," he said. "The memorials bring a lot of closure, and it brings a lot of camaraderie."
This time, Frank Dunlap, a Bataan Death March survivor, will lay a wreath at the WWII memorial.
Paul Thompkins, a prisoner of war during the Korean War - he lost fingers from frostbite while surviving that hell - is going to honor vets from that war. Jennifer Debock, who helped lead St. James High School students in raising thousands of dollars to pay for the first trip, will be going with her husband, a Vietnam vet.
A member of the underappreciated Merchant Marines, who were invaluable to the WWII effort, will also be there.
They will place a wreath at the "Tomb of the Unknowns" and visit the Iwo Jima memorial to celebrate the birth of the U.S. Marine Corps. They will run their fingers across the names emblazoned on the Vietnam Wall and pay homage to those resting in Arlington Cemetery.
They might cry, might reminiscence, might take heart that they survived even while vowing never to forget those who didn't.
"We are going to have some pretty solemn ceremonies. I'm going to try to give them something to remember for the rest of their lives," Krieger said. "Until you've been in combat ... when people are shooting at you and your life is on the line, everybody's your buddy. There's nothing like sharing a hole with each other."
Now he wants those veterans - and others who love or appreciate them - to share a bus, to never forget their sacrifice.
The trip is scheduled for Nov. 8 and 9 and costs $200 per double occupancy and $250 for a single room.
Reservations must be made by Sept. 29TH.
For more information on how to attend, call Patrick Burke at 293-8431. Or you can send donations to:
Care of Patrick Burke/100 Freedom Circle/Myrtle Beach, SC 29588. Make checks payable to The Myrtle Beach Vietnam Veterans Chapter 925.

ONLINE For past columns and to read Bailey's blog, go to MyrtleBeachOnline.com.
Contact ISSAC J. BAILEY at ibailey@thesunnews.com or 626-0357

Many thanks again Isaac!

Lou

Horry County States Airport Facts Distorted

2008-08-28T11:38:00.000-07:00

Many of you received an e-mail from me with the graphs attached to it.

These graphs, according to Horry County, are "alleged" to "distort" the the "actual" current state of affairs at Myrtle Beach International Aiport. We report, you decide...a more complete and detailed set of numbers will be forthcoming!

Read the response at the end by Mr. Donald Wizeman, the true Watchman!

This e-mail is very interesting and thank you Mr. Krieger for including the links at the bottom of your email. We agree that the information attached to this e-mail should be “looked at very closely”. There is a minor difference between our in–house numbers and some of the numbers shown in the USDOT-stats, but not a major difference so I would assume the USDOT-data for CHS and ILM would be about the same. When comparing the PowerPoint slides to the USDOT “RITA” data shown in the web site links provided by Mr. Krieger, we believe the distortion / misrepresentation of information in the PowerPoint slides becomes very evident.
A few examples:

- Information in the PowerPoint slide titled “Scheduled Airline Carriers 2007” indicates that Myrtle Beach was “Down 2” scheduled air carriers from 2007 and that Charleston was “Add 4”. The “Summary Data” chart on the RITA pages clearly shows that MYR had the same number of Scheduled Carriers- 18 - in both 2007 and 2008. Based on the RITA data, the information for Charleston on that same slide is also incorrect.

- By showing only the percentage change, the PowerPoint slides distort the actual level of activity at MYR and the various comparison airports. The RITA charts show that while Charleston is still the busiest airport in South Carolina, MYR had almost five times as many scheduled departures as Florence and over 37% more departures than Wilmington. The RITA statistics also show that in the twelve months ending May 2008, Myrtle Beach had almost double the number of passengers at Wilmington, and more than 17 times the number of passengers at Florence.

- Another twisting of the PowerPoint slides is a misrepresentation of the FAA passenger forecasts. The “FAA FORECAST” shown on the PowerPoint slide titled “MYR PASSENGER ENPLANEMENTS” is NOT the current FAA forecast. MYR’s actual passenger activity in 2007 was greater than the current FAA forecast. It is not accurate to use old FAA numbers that were generated before 9/11/01.

Frankly, the RITA statistics could be easily interpreted to indicate the current management of the County’s airports has been very successful. MYR’s passenger traffic grew to over 1.4 million during the RITA reporting period; 3 mainline air carriers are listed in the top five carriers by passenger share at MYR compared to 1 in Wilmington, 2 in Charleston and 0 in Florence; RITA lists more than 10,000 annual passengers to 10 different destinations for Myrtle Beach and Charleston but only 4 for Wilmington and 2 for Florence. These type performance achievements certainly don’t indicate a “need” for a new management structure. The opponents of airport progress are continually trying to portray the current short term slowdown in Myrtle Beach’s economy as a “distortion” of future growth forecasts.

Lisa Bourcier
Public Information Director
Horry County

Lisa:

Appreciate your comments concerning Mr. Krieger's e-mail. I find them interesting!

BUT it brings to mind the question if as your figures say the "airport" is doing so well, why did they just lower the fees so much within the last several weeks?

I would think it was done to generate more business since it is not doing as well as stated by you, otherwise why lower them!

Richard Deitz

Help Keep the "Adopt A Tree Highway" Alive and Beautiful

2008-08-27T05:01:00.000-07:00

In December 2002, I signed a proclamation with the Department of Transportation to beautify a large portion of the Highway 17 By-Pass from Glenns Bay Road south to the Garden City Connector. Since my termination from Sunny 106.5, my crew of Buddy Sessions, Patrick Burke and Gary Frank have signed on as the "Lou Krieger and Company Adopt A Tree Highway" crew. The fund for the project is "BROKE" since I was not able to do our annual fundraiser golf tournament. In fact, had it not been for the generosity of Linda and Larry Grosss at L & L Pools and Landscaping, we would have been "BROKE" a long time ago. Last year, Larry and Linda told me that "as long as I was affiliated with the highway, L & L would supply me with "free mulch".

And believe me folks, for those of you that don't see us, we use a lot of mulch. In the years that Billy Gardner helped us out with his dump truck, we used to do 2-3 tons of mulch at a time. I would estimate in that 2 mile beautified stretch we have laid over 500 tons of mulch in the last 6 years.

Here's the "GOOD NEWS" ....Up steps the Sons Of Italy Lodge 2662 and tells me they want to host a tournament for the "Adopt A Tree Highway" on November 1st at the International Club in Murrell's Inlet. With that "GOOD NEWS" in hand, I call my good friend Chris Beattie, General Manager at Legends in Concert to see if they could help with some prizes. Not only did Chris step up to the plate with lots of ticket for prizes, Legends In Concert will co-host and help advertise the tournament. Next, I remember Billy Huggins, General Manager from WPDE, Newschannel 15 telling me at the telethon for the WWII Veterans, if I ever needed any help with fundraising for the "Adopt A Tree Highway" to please let him know. Thanks to Billy Huggins and the crew at WPDE we will have a commercial with Ed Piatrowski for the tournament, and WPDE-TV will co-host and place a team in the tournament.

The Tournament is on Saturday November 1st at the International Club In Murrells Inlet. Breakfast and Registration start at 7:30am with a 9:30am Shotgun Start, Captains Choice.

Lunch and awards lots of contests and great food for just $75.00 per person. Entry DEADLINE is October 15th...space is limited, please reserve ASAP...Call Don Pagani at 843-232-0265 or 843-655-7307...

Or for and entry blank and infomation, go to http://www.wpde.com/

Click on the Entertainment Bar near the top of the page....

Then click on the Contest Corner Square....the add will tell you to "click here" for a contest form.

Thanks to Linda Revel at WPDE-TV, she worked real hard putting everything together for us!

PLEASE JOIN US ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1st... KEEP THE "ADOPT A TREE PROGRAM"

ALIVE!!!

THIS PROJECT IS "SOLELY" COMMUNITY FUNDED

THE LABOR IS ALL "VOLUNTEER"

COME AND PLAY SOME GOLF AND HELP KEEP A GREAT PROJECT GOING!

2nd Bus Added for Veterans Trip To D.C. Nov. 8th & 9th

2008-08-22T04:09:00.000-07:00

Because of the overwhelming response, we are now booking a 2nd bus for the trip to the Washington, D.C. Memorials on Veterans Day Weekend, November 8th and 9th. The cost for the trip is $200 per person, double occupancy and $250 per person single. Your cost will include:

Round trip transportation from Coast to Coast Of Conway
Motel Room
Saturday Dinner, Sunday Breakfast and Lunch
Service Campaign Hat
Ticket to Arlington National Cemetery

Services will be held on Saturday evening at:

WWII Memorial
Korean War Memorial
Vietnam War Memorial
Iwo Jima Memorial

Sunday

Tour Of Arlington National Cemetery
(application filed for wreath laying at Tomb Of the Unknowns)

Make Check Payable to:

Vietnam Veterans Of America Chapter 925

Mail to:

c/o Patrick Burke
Trip Coordinator
463 Freedom Circle
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588

Need More Information???
Call Patrick 843-293-8431 or Lou 843-215-3753

This trip is "open" to all Veterans or any Citizens who wish to join us, mail in your check today so you are not left out.

Please forward this to any Veterans you know that may be interested in seeing these magnificent Memorials to the men and women who served our country!

M.B. Kahn Executive Calls Airport Detractors "Chicken Littles"

2008-07-23T05:25:00.000-07:00

For a company that has made "hundreds of thousands of dollars" so far from Horry County on the airport debacles, M.B. Kahn has now taken to "name calling" of the citizens of Horry County who did not fall in line with the defunct "West Side Taj Mahal" as "chicken littles". Senior Executive Mr. Rick Ott chose the wrong example stating that our fathers had the insight to build all those interstates years ago, since most of those interstates missed South Carolina.

His comments show that he is $$$ driven stating that Myrtle Beach always loses some flights in the Fall and Winter and seems positive the Airline Industry will turn itself around. The projections of future passengers originally used in the push for the West Side Terminal by the FAA have been totally revised, the figures were based on crude oil at $35-$40 per barrel, not $130-$140 per barrel, and the "then" current state of the airline industry. Mr. Ott fails to mention the Billions of dollars in debt these airlines have returned to; the loss of the Spirit Hub at LaGuardia and the continued cancellation of flights at the smaller destinations like Myrtle Beach on a daily basis, adjusting to these fuel costs.

It seems like the "chicken littles" he speaks of is just more sour grapes because the original "Grand Strand Plan" was shut down by the Myrtle Beach Community Appearance Board, and justifiably so. The first project was "ramrodded" down the residents throats with no public input meetings as required by the FAA, and County Officials like Attorney John Weaver stating on my radio show that it would cost just as much to renovate the current terminal as it would to build a new one. Then, just before the last CAB Meeting, 4 comparison engineering plans surfaced showing expansions at the current site for 1/3 of the cost. If it were not for the "chicken littles" involved, the County would be "wasting" hundreds of millions of dollars.

Horry County and Airport Officials continue to say that the prices to fly from Myrtle Beach are in line with the rest of the similar terminals on the east coast which is also not true! These costs, coupled with fuel prices and planes not filled to capacity will result in further cancellations for the Grand Strand. Sure, there are deals from our airport, but if you are a family planning 6 months to a year ahead, those deals are almost non existent.

Our current airport is in a state of "disrepair" only because of the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" mentality of the leaders in control or the terminal. Their thought, that has been conveyed to me many times by airport employees was "we are building a new terminal on the West Side, so we are told to just fix what we have to". So much for "preventative maintenance".

These are just a few of the reasons that these "chicken littles" have gained the attention and support of Senator Luke Rankin and Representative Alan Clemmons to create an Airport Authority. It is time that the Politicians and the Puppet Airport Director Bob Kemp and this 20+ person chain of command in the current management structure be eliminated and an Airport Authority be created to eliminate the "riff" between the City and the County! An Airport Authority doesn't seem like a great solution to some, but it will sure be better than the current structure the County is operating under.

Elvis (15 of them) Is In The Building At Legend's In Concert

2008-07-14T04:17:00.000-07:00

It's going to be a "really big show" at Legends in Concert Saturday July 19th for the "Ultimate Elvis Tribute" sponsored by Legends in Concert in conjunction with Elvis Presley Enterprises. The competition begins at 8pm when yours truly, along with 2 other judges will pick the winner of the Myrtle Beach Competition to continue on and hopefully win a contract to perform at the fantastic "Legends In Concert". If you are an Elvis fan, call 238-STAR and get your tickets for this special contest with 15 Elvis impersonators looking to move forward. A very special "thank you" to Chris Beatty, the manager at Legends in Surfside for asking me to be a part of this very special show and contest. Chris Beatty and Legends was always a big supporter of the "Krieger and Company" morning show on Sunny 106.5 (now Sunny 103.1)not only with just free tickets to the show. When we started the "Jessie's Law" campaign for signatures on the petitions, Chris and Legends was there! When we did the homecoming for the Myrtle Beach National Guard, Chris and Legends was there. When I hooked up with Jack Platt to take the WWII Veterans to Washington, DC, Chris and Legends was there with a free show for them. Thanks to Elvis, Ryan Pelton for coming out to perform in something I have never seen at the show in Surfside, an Elvis in khaki's. I'm looking forward to seeing all of the Grand Strands Elvis fans and some of the old Krieger and Company listeners this Saturday night...Call 238-STAR today!

Speaking of today.....today, July 14, 2008 marks the day I head to the Magistrates Office to try and bring closure to my release, firing, separation or whatever you call it from Cumulus Broadcasting Of Myrtle Beach. Since April 4, 2008, I have been trying to get the remainder of my personal items and some items from the "Adopt A Tree Highway" paid for by the listeners and the community. After being marched out of the building like a "criminal" on April 2, 2008, I have been "stonewalled and blocked" from coming back to re-claim these items that include:

**Personal Computer and Printer
**Set Of Keys to By-Pass equipment and trailer locks
**Tarp, straps and bungee cords for trailer
**2 Almost new 6 foot pitchforks
**Personal calendar appointments were kept on

After being told several times these items were being collected for me to pick up, Cumulus then started a "trading" dialogue after I wore an "X'ed" out Sunny t-shirt to work in the bypass. The prerequisite to getting these items was for me to bring back all of my shirts with the Sunny 106.5 logo's on them along with the signs from the trailer. After asking for these items on more than 5 different occasions, in writing, I have just been informed by Human Resources Head Nancy Zito that none of these articles could be found! This was long after Cumulus Corporate Attorney Richard Denning wrote to my attorney telling him to arrange a time to pick these items up. The items in question were (computer and printer) hooked up in the Sunny studio with my name written on them with a magic marker. The remainder of the items were stored in the Sunny 106.5 PT Cruiser.

It seems that Ms. Zito has trouble keeping track of things. On February 24, 2008, I submitted bills totalling $997.00 for "Adopt A Tree" expenses. After repeatedly asking for payment for those bills, I find out from Mr. David Love from the South Carolina Department of Labor (who I had to work with for compensation owed) that Ms. Zito had also "lost" them. However, after signing with the SCDOT to take over the "Adopt A Tree" highway for the next two years, and refusing to bring any equipment related to that project back to the station, Cumulus finally backed off that demand and sent me the balance of the fund, $1697.00. So, I can now reimburse myself for the bills from February and the expenses incurred since that time, which will leave about $300 left in the fund.

Hats off to Sons Of Italy President Joe Crisalli and Sons Member Don Pagani who have set up a charity golf tournament to benefit the "Adopt A Tree" highway. I will be meeting with Joe and Don today, the tournament will be on Saturday, November 1st at the International Club in Murrells Inlet. Please mark that date on your calendar, I will have more information after our meeting today, July 14th.

Speaking of November, we still have the Veterans Bus Trip over the weekend of November 8th and 9th to Washington, D.C. to the Veterans Memorials and to Arlington National Cemetery. Your transportation, Saturday dinner, Sunday breakfast and lunch and room are all included in the price of $200.00 per person. Need some more info or to sign up, just e-mail me louk1065@aol.com and I will send you a flyer or call you back. Our bus is filling up fast for the trip, deadline to sign up is August 31st.

Lou Krieger and Company Adopt A Tree Highway

2008-07-10T04:02:00.000-07:00

In December of 2002, I signed with the Department of Transportation of South Carolina for the creation, expansion and maintenance of the 2 mile long 'Adopt A Tree" highway that runs from Glenns Bay Road south to the Garden City Connector. Since my termination from Sunny 106.5 and Cumulus Broadcasting of Myrtle Beach, I have been fighting for "reciprocation" of more than $1200 in expenses and the remainder of the equipment purchased to maintain the highway. At one point, Cumulus and their attorney Richard Denning were insistant that I return the equipment I have here at home since it is the "property" of Cumulus Broadcasting. In a return letter to Cumulus Attorney Richard Denning, I advised him that all funds were from donations from our listeners, the community and what was raised with charitable golf tournaments and not a penny came from Cumulus Broadcasting. After following order from the State Department of Labor and sending a certified "letter of demand" giving Cumulus 15 days to pay me or go before the "Master of the Court", I not only received my payment, but the balance of the "Adopt A Tree" fund. Since I did not have a chance to have a benefit golf tournament this year, after reimbursing of the current expenses, we have a little over $300 left and that will no last long. Mysteriously disappearing from the Sunny PT Cruiser were two pitchforks, a tarp, bungee cords, and ratchet tie downs that are nowhere to be found according to HR Manager Nancy Zito. I have sent Cumulus of Myrtle Beach a bill for not only that equipment, but my personal backup computer and printer that were in the Sunny studios that they also could not find. I have given Layne Ryan the Market Manager and HR Manager Nancy Zito to either replace these items or come up with the cash value by Friday July 11th or I will take them before the Magistrate to attempt to have them pay the replacement cost. The "Adopt A Tree" highway is now my personal highway for the next two years to maintain. I could not have signed an agreement to do that without the help of my volunteers, Buddy Sessions, Patrick Burke and Gary Frank who have been working and volunteering their time for the past 5 years. Additionally, a huge thank you goes out to Larry Gross from L & L Landscaping and Pools. Larry has been donating the mulch we use on the beds for the past two years and will continue to donate the mulch as long as I am involved with the project. The contribution of Larry and L & L to the by-pass is almost $3,000 retail cost this year alone. A huge thanks goes to Larry and Linda Gross, Buddy, Patrick and Gary, and to those of you who have contributed to the "Adopt A Tree" project

I believe the "Sons Of Italy" at the request of President Joe Crisali and member Don Pagani are trying to put together a Fall Golf Tournament to raise funds for their club and for the beautification project. This is a "very special" place we have in our community that we continuously try to trim and maintain and always add more color as money permits. This "adopt a tree" highway has been a labor of love and a beautiful portion of the Hwy 17 By-pass to drive by. It will only get prettier as things mature each year. God bless all of you who have donated to make this vision a reality and something people will admire for years to come.

Krieger and Company In The Morning

2008-07-09T18:12:00.000-07:00

Since I have been "discharged" from service at Sunny 106.5, I have kinda kept it quiet about my dealings with the company, (Cumulus) after I was walked out the door by HR Person Nancy Zito like a criminal. By now you have heard the stations transition for 106.5 to 103.1 with John Boy and Billy in the Morning and Album Rock....Don't you fans of Oldies just love the music? And how about all that information we used to give you in the morning? Or how about the opportunity for you to be a part of the show, on hear information on what events were happening around the area.

I'm sitting here 90 days since my release and I still cannot believe Market Manager Layne Ryan talked the Corporate Boys into such a "screw up". Hey how about that research on name the new Country station "The Wolf" with another "Wolf" coming into Georgetown and Southern Horry County from Charleston. So now Hooooooowwwwwwlllllll! they are the Coyote.

In a letter I have from Cumulus Corporate Attorney Richard Denning, Mr. Denning claims I was also cut to lower the overhead on talent and save money. So what do they do, run the John Boy and Billy Show costing twice as much as I was making "live" with ratings.

More to come: