With a mission to promote tourism and protect the inlet waterway, the board members of Murrells Inlet 2020 have several events planned for the coming months.
During their regular meeting Wednesday, the board members discussed these events, along with issues that affect the area such as fishing and crabbing on the Veterans’ Pier and finding funding for mowing grass on the Highway 17 Bypass median.
This Saturday, from 4 to 8 p.m., Marshwalk restaurants are hosting Marshwalk Masters, an event where people have fun putting balls at the different locations.
The first place prize is $500 cash.
On Sunday, April 22, the group will hold the 21st Annual Spring Tide clean-up of Murrells Inlet.
The day begins with an invocation at 9:45 a.m. at Morse Park Landing (next to the Hot Fish Club) in Murrells Inlet. Workers head out at 10 a.m. to start picking up the trash.
Everyone is invited back to the Hot Fish Club at 1 p.m. for the "Best Damn Chowder Cook-off" and light-hearted festivities to celebrate our hard work.
Over 20 restaurant chowders will be available and the chowder is free to all our workers. Bring your boats, boots, bug spray, glove and your love of the Inlet.
Their next fundraiser will be the Murrells Inlet 2020 14th Annual Golf Tournament on June 23, at Blackmoor Golf Club in Murrells Inlet.
Veterans’ Pier
Murrells Inlet 2020 board member Sean Bond told the board that people have been fishing and crabbing from the Veterans’ Pier.
Lately, there have been several people who have multiple fishing poles and crab pots in the water at one time, Bond said.
“Boats come though there and they could catch lines or pots in their props,” he said. “If they try to steer clear, they could run aground. Boats should not have to worry about that.”
Sue Sledz, executive director of the group, said there should be no fishing from the Veterans’ Pier.
Bond said he has contacted the S.C. Department of Natural Resources about the issue.
Bypass mowing
Advisory board member David Taylor told the board that he is still trying to figure out a good estimate for paying for mowing the median on the Highway 17 Bypass up to 12 times per year.
“We are not trying to plant any plants, just cut the grass,” Taylor said.
Georgetown County now mows the median in the area three times per year.
Sledz said the group might be able to go after Georgetown County Accommodations Tax money for a portion of the cost.
She said Murrells Inlet is the only area along the Waccamaw Neck that does not receive Accommodations Tax funds for that purpose.
“Any more mowing would be better than what we’ve got now,” Sledz said.
Board member Tom Swatzel said that Murrells Inlet 2020 might want to consider other requests for Accommodations Tax money.
“I don’t think we should pursue A-Tax money for this,” Swatzel said. “Are we willing to tell the county that this is the best use of funding for this organization?”
Taylor said he should have five solid estimates for the project’s cost soon, but bids would have to go through the county.
By Clayton Stairs
cstairs@gtowntimes.com