Murrells Inlet: Changing board signals group’s changing priorities

By Jason Lesley

Coastal Observer

Last week’s changing of the guard on the Murrells Inlet 2020 board of directors was set in motion 16 years ago when the group was formed with the dual mission of promoting economic growth and protecting the inlet’s water quality.

Eventually, directors would have to choose one over the other.

When owners of the six restaurants along the Marsh Walk decided to stage a series of weekly fireworks displays to promote tourism last summer, a majority of Murrells Inlet 2020 directors objected on the grounds that the fireworks residue polluted the water. That vote exposed a rift between the economic growth and water quality factions. Al Hitchcock, an owner of Drunken Jack’s Restaurant and Inlet Affairs, and Charlie Campbell, owner of Dead Dog Salloon, were asked to leave a board meeting during fireworks discussions after new conflict of interest guidelines were established. Without the restaurateurs’ input the board voted to condemn the weekly fireworks exhibits.

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http://www.coastalobserver.com/articles/2013/111413/4.html