Posted on Sun, Jan. 28, 2007

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Terminal plan needs guidance

ISSAC J. BAILEY

A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

Horry County Chairwoman Liz Gilland was standing outside the auditorium of the Ted C. Collins Law Enforcement Center Thursday night after a five-hour meeting that saw her dreams of a new terminal at Myrtle Beach International Airport almost evaporate. She was angry.

"I just wanted to shake them," she said, "to tell them to look at the big picture," that the size of trees and the placement of awnings pale in comparison to what the project could bring.

She was talking about the Myrtle Beach Community Appearance Board, the most unlikely roadblock in Gilland's four-year journey to make the terminal a reality. Now we'll see if Gilland still sees the big picture she insists exists.

She said it would be hard to move forward, especially because the county had already spent $20 million and still didn't have a guarantee from the board.

She said we'd be foolish not to build the terminal because it would tell federal and state officials to take back the money they pledged to help us.

How seriously will they take us the next time?

She said we could see tremendous benefits.

She said this was a rare opportunity for a government entity to get out ahead of growth.

She was emotional, pointed. She was convincing.

I'm always skeptical any time a government official tells me that if we spend $228 million, we will get that back tenfold.

But that's where strong leadership comes in, because if Gilland is right and an expanded airport will do what she says it would, she should continue the push even if we have to spend $300 million and another $20 million of airport funds.

That's why we'll find out now if supporters of the new terminal are as certain the project as is vital to our growth as they claim.

This is supposed to be tough.

The burden of proof rests with those wanting the terminal, not the opposition.

Maybe the Community Appearance Board had too much power over such a major decision and board members clung too tightly to that tired argument about not having enough time to study the plans - even though they set the deadline.

Maybe there are too many cooks in the kitchen, and the county and city have to come to an understanding that assures one or the other will have complete control over the airport and not this awkward shared responsibility.

But if Gilland is truly convinced this project is vital to our long-term interests, it would be a dereliction of duty to stop now.

ONLINE | For past columns and to read Bailey's blog, go to MyrtleBeachOnline.com.