Energetic campaigns for mayor, council good for grassroots governance

Several area contests for municipal elective offices illustrate a greater interest in grassroots government than seen in prior elections.

Candidates’ roadside and yard signs abound in the city of North Myrtle Beach, for example, and the signs were up earlier than has been the case in the past.

The incumbent mayors of both North Myrtle Beach (Marilyn Hatley) and Myrtle Beach (Brenda Bethune) face challenges on Tuesday. Hatley has been mayor for 20 years and is opposed for re-election by Wayne Troutman.

Bethune, a first-term mayor, has four challengers, C.D. Rosza, Bill McClure, Gene Ho and Tammie Durant.

Both of Horry County’s largest municipalities also have contested races for city council seats with five candidates for three positions in Myrtle Beach and six seeking three seats in North Myrtle Beach.

Conway registered voters will elect three council members from a field of seven candidates. The mayoral term is not up this year, as is the case in Atlantic Beach, Loris, Surfside Beach and Briarcliffe Acres.

Surfside Beach voters also will choose three council members from seven candidates.

UNOPPOSED RACES

Aynor Mayor John Gardner is unopposed for re-election as are two members of the town council. Atlantic Beach, Briarcliffe Acres and Loris council candidates are unopposed.

The North Myrtle Beach City Council has two at-large seats and four from the wards of Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive, Crescent Beach and Windy Hill, the four towns which became North Myrtle Beach in 1968. This year, one at-large seat, and the Ocean Drive and Windy Hill seats are open.

The greater interest in local government perhaps is related to general frustration with the perception that Congress seems to be deadlocked on everything. The two major political parties seem to have lost the ability to compromise.

This is illustrated by the answer one candidate gave to the traditional question of why are you seeking election? The answer: “I’m not happy with the way things are going in Washington.”

Voters deserve a better answer, and they are hearing candidates’ thoughts about problems and potential solutions in cities and towns around Horry County, particularly where candidates in contested races speak at forums.

By the way, South Carolina law is essentially the same for cities and towns; the mechanics of government are the same, and the municipality chooses to call itself a city or town.

NEW MEDIA IMPACT

Frustration with the federal government, driven to some degree by misinformation – in some cases disinformation – on all manner of new media, is hardly the only factor in a bigger interest in local issues. Voters and candidates are in a coronavirus world.

More candidates seeking public offices is a good thing, an indication that grassroots government is healthy and functioning.

We urge registered voters to look at the qualifications and skill sets of candidates. Try to go beyond, or avoid, emotional appeals. What problems, or issues, does a candidate outline for a municipality ‑ and how to solve or address them.

Emotional appeals do not solve problems or address issues – those require an ability to see existing or potential problems as well as information, knowledge to find solutions.

Incumbents already know that sometimes odd, even nasty, phone calls come with these elective positions. Would-be mayors and council members should understand that as well.

This story was originally published October 30, 2021 at 10:00 AM.