NMB mayor showing real leadership on offshore drilling

To the dismay of local communities, a recent presidential executive order reopened the Atlantic Coast to the possibility of seismic testing and drilling for oil and gas. I’m writing to thank Marilyn Hatley, Mayor of North Myrtle Beach, for her strong public stance opposing drilling off our beaches.

Her remarks at a press conference with local city officials hosted by SODA - Stop Offshore Drilling in the Atlantic – exhibited her passion and depth of understanding the threat drilling poses to our area. We can only hope that having such strong opposition to drilling from the coastal communities will have an effect in Washington.

I, like may residents, moved here for the beaches, waterways, and marshes. I can’t imagine taking the chance of destroying our coastline and the dependent economy by drilling in our ocean. It is a forever decision. As Mayor Hatley said, “Accidents happen. It’s not the question of if it’s going to happen; it’s the question of when it’s going to happen.”

Thank you, Mayor Hatley, for representing us well and standing solidly against the forces that want to risk our beaches and our economy. We who live and vacation here are grateful for your passion.

(SODA is an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots group formed because of our desire to protect and preserve the health and beauty of the Atlantic coast. Our mission is to prevent offshore seismic testing and drilling for oil and gas along our coast.)

This story was originally published June 3, 2017 at 10:42 AM with the headline "NMB mayor showing real leadership on offshore drilling."