About 30 people showed up Friday afternoon at a local Wal-Mart for an opportunity to speak one-on-one with Gov. Mark Sanford.

The governor fielded questions on topics ranging from property taxes to health care insurance during what he calls Neighborhood Office Hours.

Myrtle Beach is the third site for the program since Sanford became governor this year. He also has been to Florence and Anderson.

"A lot of people in politics are disconnected from what real people think and feel," Sanford said. "[This] is a great way to hear what's on people's minds."

He said people come with particular cases and need specific help.

Myrtle Beach resident Velva Jean Hampton, who talked with Sanford about being denied health insurance when she moved here three years ago, said it was good to have someone listen to her concerns.

"He's in touch with people. That means a lot," she said.

Neighborhood Office Hours is a continuation of a program Sanford started during his six years in Congress. From 1995 to 2001, then-U.S. Rep. Sanford held dozens of such visits in the 1st Congressional District.

Sanford said he will continue the practice so people can have direct access to him.