Three Myrtle Beach City Council candidates prepare for run-off

By: Aisha Khan | News13
Published: November 06, 2009

In Myrtle Beach the three men vying for the two open council seats aren't just sitting around.

All three candidates said that they have been busier than ever with trying to prepare for the run-off that is less than two weeks away.

Incumbent Randal Wallace said he's working to get as many votes as possible in order to retain his seat for a third term.

He said he's going to keep talking to the public personally by knocking on doors and get their support.

The other incumbent, Councilman Chuck Martino said he will continue to help balance the budget which he said is his strong suit as a financial strategist.

Their challenger, Mike Lowder said he is surprised to be in the run-off but honored to be in the same race with Wallace and Martino.

The one thing that all three candidates shared in common was their idea on how to grow the city's tourism industry.

"If businesses are able to sustain themselves and we're able to bring more tourists in here twelve months of the year then we're going to keep more people employed and we're going to keep this economy going, “ said Martino.

Martino said that he is particularly concerned about the city’s one cent sales tax.

"Of everybody on city council I was the only candidate that had asked that it'd be on there as a referendum this fall to try to get the input of the citizens,” said Martino, “but at the same I felt that something needed to be done right away to keep us from sliding away any further into the recession."

“Anytime you can advertise for our city that means that we're going to be able to bring tourism to Myrtle Beach and that's what Myrtle Beach lives and dies on and we are a tourist area,” said Lowder.

“We're working with advertising to get tourists here because we are in one the worst economies in the nation's history,” said Wallace, “we should be building our shoulder seasons so that we are not dependent on one group or one sponsor like the Harley Davidson group were doing where they can say if you don't like it then go on vacation and we can say hey we're not that dependent on you.”

According to City Manager Mark Kruea, who ever gets elected into office will be sworn in on January 12th.