Tag: Horry County Council District 7

Issues Divide Horry County Council District 7 Republican Candidates

The contest for the Republican nomination for Horry County Council District 7 is up for a vote Tuesday May 17th.

There are significant differences between the candidates, Mike Roberts and Robert Shelley.

Politicians routinely claim to want to serve the people and/or give back to them.

Roberts is one of the people who believes the people should be included in important decisions. Shelley appears to believe he is above the people.

One of the biggest issues to have erupted in the county over the last few days clearly separates the two candidates. That issue is whether the Horry County Sheriff’s Department and Horry County Police Department should be merged.

Businessman Mike Roberts says yes. Former HCPD officer Robert Shelley says no.

“This is an issue the people should decide,” Roberts said. “It isn’t something that should be left to the decision of a few council members.”

Shelley, a former HCPD officer, said in a media interview that he opposed combining the departments because he likes having a separate police department and sheriff’s department.

But, this isn’t about what Shelley likes. It is about what is best for the citizens of Horry County.

Shelley said the people have already spoken on this issue, referring to a referendum on the question in 1998.

However, there are more than 125,000 new residents in Horry County since 1998 who haven’t spoken on the issue at all.

In addition, the HCPD is a mess with SLED conducting several criminal investigations into the department at the current time.

“Something needs to be done about the police department and that goes way beyond just hiring a new chief,” said Roberts.

Shelley said he believes politics and law enforcement don’t go together. Yet, the HCPD is all about politics.

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Mike Roberts Campaign Kickoff Draws Over One Hundred

Over one hundred people attended the kick off Meet and Greet for Mike Roberts’ campaign for Horry County Council District 7.

The event was held at The Warehouse in Conway last week.

A number of county politicians and business people were on hand to help Roberts kick off his campaign.

Sheriff Philip Thompson was joined by local attorney and former state representative George Hearn in a picture with Roberts featured above.

Horry County Auditor Lois Eargle was in attendance as were Horry County council member Jody Prince, state representative Kevin Hardee, former council member and current Horry County Registrar of Deeds Marion Foxworth, former Horry County Treasurer Johnny Allen and longtime Horry County Planning Commission members Don Helms and Dan Gray.

Hearn said of Roberts, “I have known Mike for over 10 years. He is one of the most astute individuals I have encountered and is a man of his word, which, in today’s world is unusual.”

“Mike is a longtime friend and supporter,” said Prince. “His passion for Horry County will be an important addition to county council.”

“Mike is a fine man and will do a good job on council,” said Eargle.

Roberts lost the 2014 general election for Horry County District 7 to 36 year incumbent James Frazier, who resigned his seat March 1st due to declining health.

Roberts is running on a platform of keeping taxes low, supporting growth of small businesses and strong constituent service.

“Government is too quick to raise taxes when it faces some kind of problem,” Roberts said. “We must first look to cut needless spending so we can keep taxes low. “We need to treat all businesses equally, especially small businesses. There is no reason to give incentives to one business while forgetting all the others already operating in the county.”

The Republican and Democratic special primary elections for District 7 will be held May 17, 2016 with primary runoffs on May 31st, if needed. The special general election will be held July 5, 2016.

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James Frazier, Political Signs and the HCSWA

Horry County Council District 7 incumbent James Frazier is the longest consecutive serving member of that elected body.

As such, you would expect Frazier to know and abide by the laws regarding election campaigns. However, that does not seem to be the case.

Section 1005 of the Horry County Zoning Ordinance clearly states that “political or campaign signs may not be placed within a public right of way” and “are allowed no sooner than 45 days before an election.”

The November general election will be held on November 4, 2014. Forty-five days before that election is September 21, 2014.

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Mike Roberts for Horry County Council District 7

The Republican Primary for Horry County Council District 7 gives voters a distinct choice between candidates Mike Roberts and Liz Gilland.

Roberts is a relative unknown on the political scene while Gilland served on county council for District 8 from 1995-2003 and as council chairman from 2003-10.

Most politicians claim to want to serve the people or give back to the people. Mike Roberts is one of the people!

He is not tied to special interests and will vote according to what he believes is good for the majority of citizens not the few who are trying to take much more from the county than they will ever give.

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