Posted on Thu, Sep. 07, 2006

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MB mayor calls for insurance solutions

Coastal Alliance eyes seeking grant

By Jenny Burns and Lisa Fleisher

The Sun News

Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes said Wednesday the state's coastal towns should come together to find a way to bring relief to property owners throttled by spiking insurance rates.

Rhodes and City Manager Tom Leath asked representatives of three other towns at the first meeting of the newly formed Grand Strand Coastal Alliance to help figure out a solution, possibly through state grants to offset the costs of rising premiums or by setting up a pool of shared money.

"I'm afraid it's going to bankrupt some small people," Rhodes said. "It's a lot [more] serious than people realize, and they [won't] see it until the bill has hit them."

The Coastal Alliance includes Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Briarcliffe Acres and Atlantic Beach. Atlantic Beach did not attend the meeting.

Homeowners, especially those who own condos, have seen their insurance rates rise up to 700 percent in some cases, hurting seniors and those on fixed incomes.

Some condo owners are now paying more for their homeowners association fees - which includes the insurance - than they are for their mortgages, homeowners say.

Sammy DeRemigio, homeowners association president at Waterway Village, one of the condo complexes where premiums increased from $126,000 to $879,000, applauded the Myrtle Beach mayor for taking a lead to help homeowners.

"I think it's the right thing to do. If they can get a grant to help these people, I think this is the first step in the right direction," DeRemigio said.

Sen. Tommy Moore of Clearwater - Gov. Mark Sanford's Democratic opponent in the Nov. 7 election - will stop in at Waterway Village today at 2 p.m. to talk with residents struggling to cover costs. DeRemigio said Strand homeowners who'd like to talk with Moore are welcome to attend.

DeRemigio contacted Moore after he didn't get a response from Sanford's office, he said.

Horry County Councilwoman Liz Gilland said she is open to listening to ideas from local governments on how to help those with rising insurance.

"I think it's as unfair as they do," she said.

Rhodes also said that the Grand Strand's communities could raise their profile throughout the state by taking the lead on this issue, rising above their "sin city" reputation.

Georgetown City Administrator Steve Thomas said he anticipates the Georgetown mayor and council would be interested in joining with Myrtle Beach to find solutions.

"I think it's always a little bit better to put forth a concerted effort with a number of municipalities," he said.