Horry County will keep fighting for International Drive

As we move through the process of defending the design of International Drive due to the suit brought by the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League and the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, I’ve been asked by many citizens of Horry County why we’ve taken a stand against these special interest groups.

After the two-year delay of the S.C. 707 widening and S.C. 31 extension projects brought about by the SCCCL, costing the county more than $20 million, those of us responsible for the taxpayer’s money as well as their safety recognized these groups for what they are and decided enough is enough.

Several weeks ago, through depositions of representatives of the SCCCL and the Wildlife Federation, our suspicions were confirmed. Their representatives, Nancy Cave and Steve Gilbert, testified under oath that human safety is not their priority. Protecting bears is their priority.

Ms. Cave testified that a person or persons dying because of their actions to delay the project would not matter – her position would not change.

Mr. Gilbert was less resolute, stating that he was unsure if the safety of bears or people is more important. He was even less resolute during the trial before the Administrative Law Court.

Horry County’s position is not at all unclear. I believe Horry County Council is very clear on this point, the lives of the citizens of Horry County are our most important consideration.

The mission of Horry County government is first and foremost public health and safety. Our emergency services experts have concluded that International Drive is needed to provide efficient and timely EMS and firefighting services to a significant part of our county’s population.

We are committed to doing all we can to provide those vital services to the people of the county, but the suggestion that we should simply give in to the demands of these special interest groups so they would drop their court challenge ignores an important fact – if you give in to these groups they will simply ask for more, if not now, almost certainly later.

Our position is that Horry County will not pay any special interest group, but will instead stand up for the best interests of its citizens.

We believe the path chosen by Horry County on International Drive has been and continues to be, without question, the best way forward for our citizens. We trust that the courts will endorse our position and that these groups will get the clear message that Horry County will not be bullied by threats.

With RIDE III, the Southern Evacuation Lifeline (SEL), I-73 and the northern expansion of S.C. 31 in our immediate future, we cannot afford to roll over and acquiesce to the demands of these or any other special interest groups. The line is drawn and, unless the courts rule otherwise, we will not retreat from it.

The writer lives in Conway and represents Horry County Council District 8.

This story was originally published March 5, 2016 at 10:22 PM with the headline "Horry County will keep fighting for International Drive."