Update, December 8, 2011: According the CFCA on Facebook, the meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. in the HTC Building.
Update, December 7, 2011: The CFCA has postponed tonight's meeting due to a venue conflict. They have not yet announced details of the new time or location.
November Meeting Notes
Elections were held to fill four seats on the board of directors at the November 16th meeting. Congratulations to incumbent Diana Lawler, legislative committee chair Bo Ives, newcomers Karen Young and Brian Mills. The Civic Association wishes to thank outgoing directors Tony McDonald, Dennis DiSabato and Chet Crockett for their years of hard work and dedicated service. Dennis made a last minute decision to step down so he can focus on his run for the S.C. House of Representatives District 56 seat. Congratulations also to Chuck Rhome, who is taking the reins as the newly appointed board president.
We were treated to an amazing performance by 7 members of the Carolina Forest High School Show Choir. The cast of Glee has nothing on this group. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to come and sing a few songs. Thanks also to Principal Gaye Driggers for donating “Cyrano de Bergerac” tickets, which we gave away in a prize drawing.
The Families in the Forest committee has received a $2,000 grant for litter clean up next year. Committee member Curt Johnson told me that in addition to cleaning up litter, they plan to beautify the intersections of CFB/501 and CFB/River Oaks. Curt said they will be approaching the individual HOA’s to ask for volunteers to help with these projects.
I want to thank everyone in attendance who generously bought Founder’s Day tickets for Carolina Forest Elementary School, and who donated to Toys for Tots. The Toys for Tots stocking will be at the December meeting as well. If you are able, please bring a new, unwrapped toy in the original packaging to put in the stocking. I will then take the toys to the Marine Corps to be distributed to children who might not otherwise receive Christmas gifts this year.
News & Information
The Civic Association board spoke at the Nov. 14 Conway City Council meeting about over-charging water customers in Carolina Forest. For several weeks now, the CFCA has been calling attention to the fact that Conway charges approximately double the rate for water service in The Forest over what Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority customers pay. We believe this is an unfair practice which results in higher school taxes and higher prices at Carolina Forest area businesses. In response, Conway City Administrator Bill Graham and Mayor Alys Lawson have requested to meet with the CFCA to discuss the matter further. The Sun News has a write-up here.
The Horry County Fall Budget Retreat was held on Nov. 17. Included on the agenda under “Goals and Objectives” was library staffing. Director of Libraries Clif Boyer told Horry County Council that $806,000 is needed to open the Carolina Forest Library - $300,000 in one time opening expenses and $500,000 in annual operating expenses. We also learned that $10 million in unassigned money was discovered. Read more here.
This was the first time Boyer has been invited to speak at the fall retreat. “I personally believe the new CF library will eclipse both Conway and Socastee in volume of service…in regards to circulation, traffic and computer use,” he told me. If the needed funding is included in the 2012-2013 budget, our library could be open in July.
Public Warning
Over the last couple of weeks, over 70 manhole covers were reported stolen in the county. Not only is this theft, but it creates a major public safety hazard for motorists and pedestrians. You are encouraged to call the police if you see suspicious activity in The Forest and report any missing manhole covers to the Horry County Road & Drainage Hotline at 381-8000. If the discovery is made at night or on the weekend, call E911 Communications’ non-emergency number at 248-1300. Lisa Bourcier has a write-up about the problem in the latest issue of Myrtle Beach Alternatives Magazine. Read that here.
HOA Happenings
The Walkers Woods board of directors met with Horry County Deputy Engineer Andy Markunas on Nov. 30 to discuss the option of installing speed humps in the neighborhood. The board then invited Mr. Markunas to the next open POA meeting, which will be held in February, at which he can answer questions and address concerns from neighborhood residents, so that an informed decision can be made as to whether or not speed humps are a good option for Walkers Woods. As the result of a recent traffic study, the neighborhood-wide speed limit was reduced to 15mph, and eligibility for speed humps was confirmed. Mr. Markunas and his dept have always been very responsive to neighborhoods with speed concerns. Neighborhoods which have opted for speed humps following county traffic studies include Waterford Plantation and The Farm.
December Meeting
The CFCA December meeting will be 6pm Wednesday, December 7th, in the HTC building. Please note that this meeting will NOT be held on the third Wednesday, due to Christmas.
Our guest speaker will be Brad Lofton, President and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation. The Forest has been hit hard by the current economy, and we have a lot of empty store fronts as a result. Most notable is the site of the former Piggly Wiggly. Mr. Lofton will talk to us about what plans and programs are being explored to bring in more businesses. We hope to see you there.
