Copyright Charleston Post and Courier
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH — Along with picking their first new mayor in more than two decades, North Myrtle Beach voters will also decide two contested city council races next month. Incumbent Trey Skidmore is running for an at-large seat along with challengers Tony Warren Jr and David Weitzman. Meanwhile, Jeri McCumbee and Jolene Puffer are running for the Windy Hill seat that Councilwoman Nikki Fontana has held since 2013. Fontana opted not to seek another term. Bubba Collins, who holds the Ocean Drive seat, will also be on the ballot but is running unopposed. Here is a snapshot of the candidates: At-large seat Trey Skidmore Skidmore, 43, is the owner of Barefoot RV Resort and Foxfire Communities. Skidmore has been on city council for four years and also served on the city's board of zoning appeals. He said growth is the city’s most pressing issue, and it's the reason he ran for council four years ago. He is trying to limit the impact of the development boom on residents. Skidmore said much of the growth is taking place outside the city limits, so North Myrtle Beach needs to work closely with Horry County Government. Diversifying the economy is also important to Skidmore, who said he wants his daughters to stay in the area. He said there has been progress with companies like UPS coming to the area and hiring workers, but recruitment efforts are a balancing act because he never wants to damage the fabric of the family beach community. If reelected, Skidmore said he will continue his open-door leadership style and keep his personal number published for anyone to reach him. Tony Warren Warren, 60, owns Realty Rock, a real estate company. He said North Myrtle Beach needs help from a regular guy, not career politicians. Warren wants the city to hit the brakes on allowing large neighborhoods and developments. He said the city should focus on fixing roads and addressing flooding. "I will listen to our residents and try with all my heart to help our town grow but not outgrow," Warren said. He said the city needs more grocery stores, fire departments and hospitals. He intends to work with industry recruiters to attract different companies, such as technology and manufacturing businesses. Warren also said the city needs to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop a long-term plan to keep the beach town beautiful and inviting. David Weitzman Weitzman, who declined to provide his age, is a primary care physician who is new to politics. If elected, Weitzman’s top priorities for North Myrtle Beach would be strengthening communication and trust, developing a clean industry and AI technology corridor, and building a stronger economy. Weitzman wants leaders, residents and business owners to listen to and understand one another. He intends to institute a community involvement plan if elected. Weitzman said North Myrtle Beach has the potential to become a regional hub for AI. Through faster permitting and attractive zoning, he wants to recruit innovative startups that will provide quality jobs and long-term growth. As for growth, he said the city should bring in experts who have successfully managed growth in other communities. Windy Hill seat Jeri McCumbee McCumbee, 58, is the director of operations for MEDcare Urgent Care. She has served as chairperson of the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce and was appointed to the S.C. Education Oversight Committee. Her top priorities are managing growth, infrastructure and short-term rentals. McCumbee said she wants to slow city growth and stop annexing land so North Myrtle can catch up with its infrastructure needs. She said the city should work with the S.C. Department of Transportation on road improvements, lobby for funding for beach renourishment and continue stormwater drainage repairs. To boost tourism, McCumbee said the city needs better infrastructure and should focus on attracting commercial businesses. She wants to keep taxes low and provide incentives to businesses that move to the area. Jolene Puffer Puffer, 55, is a real estate agent who ran for the Windy Hill seat four years ago and lost by 267 votes. Over the past four years, Puffer said she has focused on learning how the city works so she can serve effectively from day one. If elected, she said her top priorities would be addressing overdevelopment and overspending. Puffer wants to focus on infrastructure needs before allowing more development. "My goal is to ensure we grow in a way that protects our quality of life while still welcoming opportunity," Puffer said. "I do feel it's time for more serious measures to deal with the growth that is plaguing our infrastructure." Puffer also wants the city to partner with local colleges and business groups to help bring sustainable, well-paid jobs to the area.
