County Leaders Treat Carolina Station Development Like Sub-Prime Mortgages
This was sent to the Sun News as a letter to the editor but unfortunately did not get pulished

Horry County leaders are treating the proposed giant development of Carolina Station like banks and homeowners treated sub-prime mortgages—with little thought to their ability to pay in the future.

Consider. The County’s development impact modeling software shows Carolina Station will produce an estimated operations deficit of $2M a year for the next twenty years (including the $15.6M developer contribution which we believe is inflated by approximately $7M). That’s $40M over the next twenty years for the existing taxpayers in Horry County to cover—in addition to our individual current taxes.
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Carolina Station will cost taxpayers an estimated $40M over 20 years if approved by the County Council as currently planned. The County has no place to go but to the taxpayers to make up this loss…AND…some of our Council members think this is a good deal.

A. The Development Agreement between the County and the developer is still being negotiated by staff, AND
B. Their plan to pay for the three new schools, new fire and police station, new sewage disposal plant, new parks and recreation areas, and maintenance of 97 acres of new roads…is US.
If you’ve ever thought or said that developers should PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE of infrastructure costs in Horry County, NEXT WEEK IS THE TIME FOR YOU TO ACT!

WHEN: Tuesday, June 17, 6 PM
WHERE: Government & Justice Center, 1301 Second Avenue, Conway, 2nd floor Council Chambers
WHAT: The County Council will vote on the 2nd (AND MOST IMPORTANT) of 3 readings to approve the Carolina Station development…despite the fact that negotiations on the Development Agreement have yet to be completed.

ACTION REQUESTED!
This is the time for taxpayers to make a strong statement. The vote is expected to be close. If hundreds of taxpayers attend the County Council meeting Tuesday evening, we can take a giant step toward changing the way development is approved in Horry County!
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PRESENTED TO HORRY COUNTY’S

STATE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES

in Columbia

March 18, 2008

PRIORITY #1: INCREASE STATE AND COUNTY LEGISLATIVE COOPERATION
Horry County P.R.I.D.E. taxpayers want to see state senators and representatives actively meeting, talking, and working with Horry County Council members to enact legislation to benefit Horry County as a whole.

PRIORITY #2: ENABLE HORRY COUNTY TO RAISE NEEDED REVENUE
Horry County taxpayers want to see innovative, effective solutions to infrastructure and natural resource problems. Currently, Council Members have their hands tied as to innovation and effectiveness, and we want to see that changed.

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Dear Friends:

Horry County P.R.I.D.E. was initiated to create the PUBLIC and POLITICAL will to find innovative, effective solutions to infrastructure and natural resource issues created by rapid growth. After working with many wonderful individuals and organizations throughout the County for the past six months, it is becoming obvious to us and to our elected officials that the PUBLIC will, the will of the Horry County taxpayers, is being expressed more often, more effectively, and by more of YOU.

Horry County taxpayers are standing up in greater numbers and and asking public officials to make decisions favorable to THEM…the ones who elect them and the ones who pay the taxes! And taxpayers are making a difference. (more…)