Leadership Changes in Surfside Beach Planning Commission

News Summary

Surfside Beach’s Planning Commission faces major changes following the sudden resignations of chairman Sammy Truett and vice-chairman Michael Pesce. Truett resigns after 26 years, voicing frustrations over feeling unappreciated. The commission swiftly appointed Scott Von Buseck as temporary chairman, with Dusty McCracken eventually elected as the new chairman. The commission is now tasked with addressing community concerns about vape shops, amidst frustrations regarding legal guidance from the town attorney.

Leadership Shake-Up at Surfside Beach Planning Commission Following Sudden Resignations

In the charming town of Surfside Beach, big changes are on the horizon for the Planning Commission after a surprising turn of events during a recent meeting held at the Dick M. Johnson Civic Center. Residents and officials alike were left scratching their heads when they found out that both the chairman, Sammy Truett, and the vice-chairman, Michael Pesce, decided to resign just hours before the gathering.

This quick decision has stirred quite a buzz in town. It turns out, Truett has plans to move to a property he purchased near Conway and felt that he simply couldn’t devote enough time to his responsibilities as chairman. After serving the community for an impressive 26 years, he expressed a sense of frustration over feeling unappreciated, which ultimately played a significant role in his decision to step down.

Temporary Changes and New Appointments

With the sudden shifts in leadership, the meeting kicked off with a mix of confusion and curiosity. In a swift move, Scott Von Buseck was appointed as the temporary chairman to steer the meeting. To streamline the process and address the situation promptly, elections for new planning commission officers were pushed to the forefront of the agenda.

After a lively discussion, Dusty McCracken was elected as the new permanent chairman of the commission, while Scott Von Buseck took on the role of vice-chairman. McCracken isn’t new to leadership roles in Surfside Beach; he is also the chairman of the town’s pier committee and brings a wealth of experience to his new position.

Addressing Community Concerns

As the planning commission gears up for its next steps, a notable issue requires their immediate attention—vape shops. During a previous town council meeting, community members voiced their concerns regarding the commission’s handling of this matter. The council seems particularly keen to see action on controlling the number of vape shops in town, especially given the six-month moratorium that was enacted to give the commission time to craft a fitting ordinance.

The planning commission is not without its struggles, however. Officials have expressed frustration over the difficulties they face in getting legal information from town attorney Jarrett Bouchette. As pointed out by Commissioner Alex Stamsel, the attorney has been absent for the third consecutive month of the moratorium. This lack of legal guidance has created a slow crawl in their efforts to fine-tune the upcoming ordinance on vape shops.

In light of the challenges, the commission has decided to enlist Director Heather Davis to reach out to Bouchette and obtain the legal insights necessary to move forward. Mayor Robert Krouse shared his eagerness to finalize an ordinance on the matter, but he also indicated his willingness to extend the moratorium further if it meant ensuring a thorough and well-crafted regulation for vape shops.

What Lies Ahead for Surfside Beach

The shifting dynamics within the Surfside Beach Planning Commission come as a time of questions and considerations for the community. With new leadership under Dusty McCracken, residents are hopeful for a clear direction in addressing the pressing concerns surrounding land use and regulations in their cherished town.

As the commission rolls up its sleeves to tackle issues like the vape shop moratorium, residents will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how their town leaders navigate these changing tides. There’s a palpable sense of anticipation for what the future holds for Surfside Beach, and one thing is for sure—the community will be rooting for a fresh start and renewed focus on the needs of its residents.