Hundreds of bike rally supporters attend meeting

People stood in long lines outside Revolutions club at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach Wednesday. The owner of Revolutions said there were close to 700 people who showed up.

They signed petitions in an effort to figure out what can be done to change city council’s and county council’s minds.

Lee Wimmer is the owner of several bike businesses in Myrtle Beach and said, "We're getting a bad wrap out of this that it's already getting out over the internet. The bikers aren't wanted...but they are. This is one of the few areas where the hotels and the restaurants have more then enough accommodations. They don't get greed and raise the prices. It's a beautiful place to be."

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Wimmer and other biker business owners want to know what could replace the current “month of May” business coming to the Grand Strand from bike rallies.

"This is the month of May. Kids are still in school. I have rental properties too. I know how the rentals go. You're not going to make all this up if you displace the bikers,” said Wimmer.

Myrtle Beach city councilman Randal Wallace attended the nights meeting. He said he realizes finding another strong money maker will need to be figured out.

"They have a compelling argument. I would love to see Mother's Day...I would love to see that become a family event. But the kids are in school. Maybe golfers. But that's going to have to be for people who are smarter then me to figure out,” said Wallace.

Pam Hampton is a long time biker and has lived in Myrtle Beach for 16 years.

"Look at the economy right now. Gas prices are up, foods up. Everything's gone up. Why take away something’s been working all these years when it's been going right for everybody,” said Hampton.

Wallace said in response to the concern by many people about where the money will come from, "That bothers me. That always will bother me. I don't want to put anybody out of business.”

After the bike rally meeting was over, Wallace said, “Have I reversed my stand, we got to do something to bring bike weeks under control, no. There is issues with noise and issues with crime that are gonna have to be addressed.”

Wallace told me he realizes no vote by council can completely ban bikers from Myrtle Beach.

He said what they can do is enforce the laws.

He said no matter what happens from this, he hopes people will take them more seriously that they've had enough crime.

Organizers of the meeting encouraged everyone who showed up to attend next Tuesdays Horry County council meeting at 6:00 p.m. at the court house in Conway.

They also encouraged all bikers to call, e-mail, and write county council members and let them know how they’ll be impacted by the city’s decisions.

Count on News13 to be at the next county council meeting.