‘Be that voice’: Myrtle Beach mayoral candidate Bill McClure wants to fight for residents

A U.S. Army veteran and former analyst with the federal government’s Department of Commerce is a mayoral candidate in Myrtle Beach.

Bill McClure is one of five people challenging Mayor Brenda Bethune for her seat on council. The 73-year-old moved to the city in 2014 and has been eager to improve the quality of life for all residents. Originally from Washington, D.C., McClure spent time as a consultant to numerous firms over the years and eventually started a Top 50 National car dealership group’s first-ever internet sales department.

From talking to voters all over the city, McClure said he has learned that many people don’t feel they have a voice in city hall.

“I want to be that voice,” he said. “I want to represent the people. I don’t want to represent builders from out of state. I don’t want to be part of any special interest groups.”

His campaign focuses on three basic things: the city’s residents, neighborhoods and small businesses.

MClure said he is the best person to lead the city because he has management experience, does not have an agenda, and is determined to stick up for the residents.

“I think I’ve got the ability to work with the council, so that we can find reasonable compromise that makes sense for our citizens and our visitors.”

I-73, Development, COVID-19

Like many other supporters of I-73, which is the interstate project that would connect the Grand Strand to I-95 near Latta and Dillon, McClure said it would diversify the economy.

“I-73 will not only allow for us to attract more investment and create more jobs, but it’s also going to create jobs that are very, very well paying.”

But one aspect of the city’s development he is not happy with is the way growth is being handled. He said it is scary to see all the new development happening all over knowing that Myrtle Beach does not have the infrastructure to support it.

“I’m not against growth, but the uncontrolled growth that we’re seeing in this city is frightening,” he said. “We’re clear cutting land without any regard to what the environmental impact is going to be.”

McClure also expressed his support of the vaccine, saying he would encourage everyone to get it if elected into office. Despite this, he said it’s up to employers to decide if they want to require masks in their businesses because it is ultimately a personal choice.

“I think they have a right to make the decision on how they’re going to protect themselves,” McClure said. I don’t think it’s reasonable to mandate every man, woman and child in every given situation.”

He said for those that rather go without a mask, he would only ask they take the appropriate measures to protect themselves and their family members.

Community Oriented Policing

McClure said crime is an issue he wants to tackle through community oriented policing. It starts with determining what the crime is, where it’s happening and why, and then assigning officers to certain areas in the city, he added.

“When you do a collaborative effort between law enforcement and communities, you start to come up with ways to solve those problems,” McClure said.

But a one size fits all approach won’t work, he said, because crime in one part of the city is different from crime in another part of the city.

He said training would be a critical component of ensuring this sort of policing is successful.

“What you want to do is prepare them, so that they understand how you work with the community, and they understand communities are different, ‘‘ he said. “And so, different approaches need to be taken.”