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Got pictures from along the Strand you want to share? Please send them to webmaster@ibiker.org and we will put them in an online album for all to see!
(NEW) We have posted a bunch of new designs to the iBiker Online Store. Feel free to check them out. If you see something you like, great! If it is just a bunch of crap, that's kewl too.
(NEW) Check out our latest musical dedication to the mayor and city council over at the top right.
We have posted a new album of pictures from the Troop Departure and ALR FLag Line at the Georgetown Armory on January 6th courtesy of Paula DeVaughn. Click here to view the pics...
Columbia Riders ABATE is sponsoring the Polar Bear Benefit Run on February 14th to benefit the Tucker Veteran's Home. See details on the iBiker Calendar.
Who says creativity is dead? Check out some fine examples of ingenuity on the part of today's students. Click here...
We have all heard the phrase "sly as a fox." The latest in POT LUCK may cause you to reconsider...
Click on a logo below to open link...
Now Playing:
Ghost Town -
Ode to Myrtle Beach
All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. --- Thomas Jefferson, Author, Declaration of Independence
Musical Dedication to Mayor & MB City Council
Join us every Wednesday at 7:30 pm for the regularly scheduled iBiker Chat Nite! Meet your fellow iBikers and discuss the issues of the day. Enter chat room here...
Somewhere along the way, Mayor Rhodes forgot who he serves, the constitution that protects our rights, and who we have to thank for it.
His brand of facist selectivism will not stand. DO IT AGAIN IN 2010.
Current MB Radar
(click to enlarge)
SC Supreme Court Hears Helmet Law Arguments
Bob Barker Donates 3 M$ to Brain Injury Center
The city's attempt to file for preliminary relief against TERC oversight of it's a-tax expenditures has been tossed by Admin Law Judge Carolyn Matthews. At issue is how the city spends the more than 4.3 M$ in tourism taxes. The city spends the bulk of these dollars on "public safety", noting that “The city does not have another source of funds to make up the funds needed for additional law enforcement, traffic control, public facilities and highway and street maintenance services." This would seem to stand in stark contrast with state law which provides that funds “must not be used as an additional source of revenue to provide services normally provided by the…municipality." While tourism certainly provides added burdens to the city, one would presume that elimination of the bike rallies by the city will provide a significant reduction in the need for such added services. After all, it has been the city's position all along that the bike rallies incurred unique stresses and added crime not seen during other parts of the tourist season. Since we know the city would not lie about such things, it is only logical to assume that their successful elimination of the rallies will result in a significant decrease in a-tax expenditures on "public safety." Regardless of how much (or if) the rallies actually contributed to added requirements for public safety relative to other toursists, state law would seem to be clear that spending a-tax monies to support public safety during the off season cannot be justified or supported. TERC has not yet reviewed the city's 2008-2009 expenditures and so this remains an open question for the moment. Read the full story here...
It is with great sadness and respect that we note the passing of George J. Aakjer Jr., a member of America's Greatest Generation. George, age 86, of Reta St. passed away Saturday January 16th at Conway Medical Center.
George was born in Roselle, NJ a son of the late George Jensen Aakjer Sr. and Margaret Morgan Aakjer. He was a retired WWII veteran and served during the European Theater among those who stormed the beaches at Normandy.
He Recieved a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Panzer College and later retired as Principal serving with Scotch Plains - Fanwood Board of Education. He was a member of Conway VFW , and Myrtle Beach Elks Lodge as well as a member of Westminster A.R.P. Church and the Scotch Plains Lions Club. After his retirement he moved to the Myrtle Beach area armed with a TV remote and a golf club. Later in life he was made a member of Rolling Thunder.
George is survived by his wife Carolyn; two sons, Steven Aakjer of Myrtle Beach and George Aakjer of Myrtle Beach; and two grandchildren, Christopher and Casey Aakjer.
Funeral Services were held at Westminster A.R.P. Church with Rev Marty Taylor officiating. Burial followed in Hillcrest Mausoleum. With his son's permission we have created a photo album from the services. Click Here to View...
We have long held (and continue to do so) that the answer to the MB helmet ordinance is a careful reading of that pesky Constitution. However, for those looking for a technological solution, our British cousins have come up with another alternative. After seeing the following, we can only note that the inventor may have imbibed one pint too many. Click here for details...
A group of animal rights protesters in Johnstown PA recently took exception with the gathering of a local MC. Inspired by the hateful attitudes of the citizens of MB, these activists showed up at the local weekend rally to express their outrage over what they perceived to be the groups excessive use of leather animal products. The club was unphased by the protests, however, and even invited the group to join in their festivities. At the end of the day, the two sides agreed to disagree on principals while engaging in a healthy exchange of viewpoints which is the core of our democracy. Click here for details...
The SC unemployment rate hit a record high of 12.6 percent in December, with a majority of the jobs lost in the leisure and hospitality industries shedding more than 5,000 jobs. Stephen Greene with the Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association said that a lot of the local businesses have either recently closed down or just don’t have enough jobs to offer to those without a job. Sow the wind, reap the whirlwind. Read the full story here...
In the mean time, we are hearing from many folks who are looking forward to a great time at the 12th Annual Thunder Beach Spring Rally in Panama City, FL scheduled for April 29th thru May 2nd. Those interested can check out their website here...
In a related story, businesses near the former Studebakers and Club Kryptonite are feeling a ripple effect following their permanent closing last month. Business is down 60 percent from this time last year according to owners at Knuckleheads, a bar next to Studebaker’s. The few vistors who are still visiting the ghost town have noticed. “I would like to go to a more livelier area like where there’s more going on. It seems like everything’s shut down,” said Justin Tyndall of Woodbridge, Virginia. How's that selective tourism working out for 'ya? Read the full story here...
(from Big E's Weekly Surge)...
In February there is a benefit ride for a local, Emmitt Jones, who is recovering from triple bypass surgery. Jones has always been involved in the local motorcycle community, especially where there have been opportunities to support our military. He's been active with both the local chapter of Rolling Thunder and the Patriot Guard Riders. He is also one of the first riders issued a helmet citation during the Freedom Ride mentioned above. Police actually pulled him over just before the city limit sign because he was dragging a helmet, bouncing up and down off the pavement behind his motorcycle, on a 20-foot-long rope. The benefit will be held on Valentine's Day (Feb. 14) beginning with a Biker Breakfast at the Beaver Bar at County Line, 3534 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and will be followed by a one-hour ride at noon that will end at Buffalo Wild Wing's Grill & Bar, Carolina Forest (1990 Oak Heart Rd., Myrtle Beach) for free wings, drawings, and prizes. A $10 per person donation is required.
ABATE of HC has released their February Newsletter and reminds all interested that they hold their regular meetings on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 12 noon. They are currently soliciting input on the Surfside Beach smoking ban and hope to see you all at the next meeting! Click here to read the newsletter...
61-year-old Donna Sheedy was sentenced to 18 years in prison in the vehicular homicide of biker Kenny Temple stemming from a DUI accident on SC 544 last May 15th. Sheedy, a fine resident of Myrtle Beach, showed a blood alcohol level of 0.27 at the hospital following the accident. Anti-Rally folks have long pointed to the death of a CCU student in the fall of 2008 as the impetus for the raft of selective tourism ordinances passed by the city, notwithstanding the fact that the death was completely unrelated to the rally. On the heels of this conviction, we wonder if we can now look forward to new ordinances designed to chase Myrtle Beach residents out of the city in order to protect the few remaining visiting tourists from THEM. Read the full story here...
It is the opening salvo in what many speculate will be significant property tax increases for Myrtle Beach and Horry County to make up for lost tourism revenues. Horry County reports they are dealing with over 11,000 property tax appeals this year, compared to a normal year level of 2,000. The result is contributing to a projected 11 M$ shortfall next year which is, coincidently, a reassessment year. Those of you who voted to chase tourists away better get your checkbooks ready because the bill for your folly is soon coming due. Read the full story here...
