黑料社入口

Age: 63

Occupation: Residential Design Building and Remodeling

Q: What prompted you to run for a council position for North Myrtle Beach in this election?

A: During my time on council I feel we have been able to accomplish a lot, but there is still work left to do. I am honored to serve the people of North Myrtle Beach and I look forward to continuing to do so in the years to come.

Q: What do you see as the biggest issues the city of North Myrtle Beach are facing?

A: Growth. Living in one of America's most desirable and fastest growing communities has its challenges, but with careful planning and by really listening to the needs of our current residents I am confident that we can preserve our quality of life while continuing to welcome new neighbors.

Q: What does a perfect day off in North Myrtle Beach consist of for you?

A: Getting up early to enjoy the sunrise at the beach. Then off to get some exercise and possibly some fishing or wakeboarding. Next is cooking out and entertaining with my family.

Q: Flooding is a persistent concern for property owners in the City of North Myrtle Beach. What can the city do to lessen the impacts of flooding during major rainfall?

A: Ongoing storm water outfall projects in the City are helping to reduce flooding and better move water back out to sea. Going forward it's imperative we follow a comprehensive growth plan that includes green space and wetland preservation to help keep our homes safe.

Q: More land is being annexed into North Myrtle Beach and zoned for residential development on the outskirts of the city while residents have expressed concern about services and infrastructure for the added population. What would you do as a councilperson to anticipate and plan for growth in these areas as well as the city as a whole?

A: North Myrtle Beach has much tougher restrictions on development than Horry County. Undertaking limited annexations has allowed the City to actually restrict the amount of development and try to lessen the impact of growth as much as possible on our residents. Increased impact fees and a focus on ensuring the infrastructure needed for added residents is completed BEFORE new developments are allowed will go a long way toward protecting our quality of life.

Q: Cigarette butts are by far the most present litter on the beautiful North Myrtle Beach coastline. There has been previous discussion about banning or restricting smoking on the beach, but concerns were raised about how the measure would be enforced. Would you support a smoking ban on North Myrtle Beach beaches? If so, what would that look like?

A: I am in favor of looking at any measure that helps protect our environment and improve our beach-going experiences. Ultimately, I want to follow the wishes of our residents and I hope we can discuss this issue further in the months ahead.

Q: Taxes were last raised in North Myrtle Beach in 2020 to 45 mills in response to a loss in revenue due to the pandemic and to pay for improvements of the NMB Park and sports complex. The city has, in the past, lowered taxes after a temporary increase to pay for large projects. As councilperson, would you be in favor of lowering, increasing or keeping the mill rate the same during your term?

A: I am a fiscal conservative and I am always looking for ways to increase efficiency and keep taxes low and reduce them whenever possible.

Deborah (Debbie) Lombardino

Age: 67

Occupation: Retired from United States Department of Agriculture. Part-time United Parcel Service

Q: What prompted you to run for a council position for North Myrtle Beach in this election?

A: I was drawn to North Myrtle Beach for its relaxed pace of life, welcoming environment and options for entertainment and activities. People are friendly and, being a small community, you see them everywhere, especially on Main Street. Everyone brings their golf carts and chairs to Main Street to enjoy concerts and festivals with family and friends. Over the past several years, the North Myrtle Beach environment has been on a path of being a victim of our own success with rapid growth and development creating a more unaffordable and less equitable city. Change and growth are necessary to evolve; however, it must be done responsibly.

Q: What do you see as the biggest issues the city of North Myrtle Beach are facing?

A: Rapid growth, flooding, especially in Cherry Grove, small business support, and prioritize residents鈥� concerns.

Q: What does a perfect day off in North Myrtle Beach consist of for you?

A: My perfect day starts with a cup of coffee on my back deck, playing Mahjong with my best friends, playing pool in the American Poolplayers Association (APA) with my teammates, and ending my day with a relaxing evening at home.

Q: Flooding is a persistent concern for property owners in the City of North Myrtle Beach. What can the city do to lessen the impacts of flooding during major rainfall?

A: The City of North Myrtle Beach floods regardless of the amount of rain. For example, my neighborhood, Cherry Grove, flooded every day the week of September 24, 2023, with a rainfall total of .01". The existing drainage system is inadequate and rapid growth, especially of the wetlands, has exacerbated the flooding. An adaptive designed flood-defense network of levees, canals, floodwalls, and pumps are needed to reduce the risk of flooding. The city must prioritize and appropriate sufficient funding to address these needs and work together with our Senators and Representatives in Congress to obtain Federal funding for these projects.

Q: More land is being annexed into North Myrtle Beach and zoned for residential development on the outskirts of the city while residents have expressed concern about services and infrastructure for the added population. What would you do as a councilperson to anticipate and plan for growth in these areas as well as the city as a whole?

A: I believe, focusing mostly on the short-term benefits while ignoring the long-term impacts 鈥渁nnexation鈥� has on current residents and their properties and businesses, is not a successful use of the 鈥渁nnexation process.鈥� Currently, annexation and approved new developments are made one project at a time which focuses on short term results, i.e., property and other tax revenues that will benefit the community in the short run without examining the long-term costs to current residents. Long term costs include current and future infrastructure construction and maintenance, expansion of special transit services for elderly and disabled persons, the expansion of emergency services, increases in school costs and other civic facilities, and increases in services for employees and residents of new development (e.g., affordable housing for resort workers.) Failure to consider such costs before infrastructure funds have been committed can have fiscal and other impacts on residents for years to come through increased taxes and fewer services. Annexation proposals should be accompanied by a site plan with enough specificity to allow the city to conduct a thorough and complete fiscal impact analysis.

Q: Cigarette butts are by far the most present litter on the beautiful North Myrtle Beach coastline. There has been previous discussion about banning or restricting smoking on the beach, but concerns were raised about how the measure would be enforced. Would you support a smoking ban on North Myrtle Beach beaches? If so, what would that look like?

A: I would support a no smoking ban on the beach because cigarette butts contain non-biodegradable filters and dangerous chemicals, but realistically enforcement would almost be impossible. Our police department is stretched as it is. The department has been tasked with additional enforcement responsibilities such as motor vehicles on the beach, selling or leasing of goods on the beach, commercial recreational activity on the beach, and the mooring of boats or vessels. Yet sufficient personnel have not been obtained to handle these additional responsibilities. Additionally, annexation has the practical effect of expanding the departments' physical area of enforcement responsibility.

Q: Taxes were last raised in North Myrtle Beach in 2020 to 45 mils in response to a loss in revenue due to the pandemic and to pay for improvements of the NMB Park and sports complex. The city has, in the past, lowered taxes after a temporary increase to pay for large projects. As councilperson, would you be in favor of lowering, increasing or keeping the mil rate the same during your term?

A: I would support the lowering of the 45 mil rate because improvements to the NMB Park and Sports complex should not be the number one priority placed on residents.