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Redfish tournament returns to Georgetown July 20-21, open to local anglers
July 9, 2019

A top prize worth more than $25,000 will be on the line next Saturday at the Campbell Marine Complex in Georgetown, and that prize could very easily go home with a local resident. There are no pre-qualifying events to enter, so all you need is a boat, a partner, and some luck.

The IFA Redfish Tour launches from the Campbell landing at dawn on July 20. Weigh-in is at the complex that afternoon at 2:30 p.m. Both boat launch and weigh-in are open to spectators, and there is no cost to view the events.

The IFA Kayak Tour is scheduled for the following day, July 21, in Georgetown.

Redfish Tour registration and a Captain’s Dinner will take place at the Campbell complex July 19 from 5-7 p.m Pre-registration is available online at www.ifatours.com. A $30 membership to the Inshore Fishing Association is needed to sign up for the Redfish Tour and can be purchased at registration. Participants fish in two-person teams. Entry fee is $250.

For the Kayak Tour, a $10 membership fee and $50 entry fee are required. Anglers fish solo in one-man kayaks for this tournament. Registration is from 5-7 p.m. July 20 at the marine complex. Pre-registration is available at www.ifatours.com.

The IFA has made twice-yearly stops in Georgetown County for the last several years and have been very successful, attracting upward of 140 anglers — many of them from Georgetown and surrounding counties. County officials are hoping to increase local participation.

“We’re happy to welcome the IFA Redfish Tour back this year, and we’re looking for an even bigger success this time around, with more anglers and some new faces,” said Georgetown County Administrator Sel Hemingway. “We work hard during every visit to make sure all those who participated previously will want to come back and that’s something we plan to repeat.”

The Carroll Ashmore Campbell Marine Complex is located at 101 River Walk Drive, Georgetown, near the Sampit River bridge.

 

Georgetown County begins search for new Administrator
July 13, 2019

The search is on in Georgetown County for a new top executive.

The county’s Human Resources Department started advertising last week for a new County Administrator. The action comes six weeks after Sel Hemingway, who has held the position since 2008, announced his plans to retire at the end of this year. He discussed plans for beginning the search for a replacement with County Council during council’s last meeting on June 25.

The job has been posted on local, state and national sites typically utilized by government agencies. These sites include those belonging to the International County Managers Association, the SC Association of Counties and SC Works to name a few. The advertisement was also directly mailed to all members of the S.C. City/County Managers Association.

The job posting lists the salary as negotiable. Minimum training and experience required include a master’s degree in public administration and eight years of experience, or a bachelor’s degree plus 10 years of experience in public administration, management or related field. Proven skills in a wide range of fields the Administrator deals with on a daily basis are also required. The full job listing can be viewed on the Employment page of the county's website.

All applications must be sent to the county’s Human Resources office, where they will be delivered to the Human Resources Director for review. The director will eliminate any applicants who do not meet the qualifications standards. All remaining applications will be sent to County Council members for review. Human Resources Director Walt Ackerman says he hopes to have applications to Council members by mid-August. Applications that were removed due to lack of qualifications will also be available to Council upon request. Once Council is in receipt of all qualified applications, they will determine the process for reducing the number of applicants for interviews and public presentation.

 

County opens new fire station in Big Dam area, seeks volunteer firefighters
July 2, 2019

Georgetown County Fire/EMS opened its 16th station on July 2, with a ribbon cutting at the new Big Dam Community Fire Station, located at 15 Big Dam Swamp Drive.

Construction of the 5,012-square-foot facility cost just under $967,000, and was funded with monies from the Capital Project Sales Tax. The county also received a $290,000 community development block grant to provide a new fire engine to be housed at the station. The station will improve fire response service to the Big Dam Swamp area of Andrews and, as a result, will also decrease the property insurance rates for residents in that area.

“This has been a long time coming… but it’s here now, we’ve finally got it,” County Administrator Sel Hemingway told the crowd that gathered in the engine bay to celebrate the new station. He recognized the volunteers who serve the community as firefighters and issued a plea for others to step up to become volunteer firefighters.

“This is a can-do and a will-do community. I have seen that all my life and throughout my career serving you as a council member and now as administrator. It’s demonstrated when you look around this bay and see the folks who have already committed themselves to volunteering to support this facility, taking the necessary effort and training to serve this community as firefighters,” Hemingway said. “But we need more of them. It takes volunteers to be able to serve the outlying communities in a county as big as ours. We’re not only asking you, we’re begging you to consider volunteering.”

Hemingway also spoke about plans to present another Capital Project Sales Tax referendum to the public and future projects that could be funded for the Big Dam community with funds raised, such as a recycling center and improvement of the intersection of County Line Road and Big Dam Swamp Drive. The previous Capital Project Sales Tax expired on May 1.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter is asked to call (843) 543-3138 or (843) 833-2737. No prior experience is needed to become a volunteer firefighter.

 

Two to compete for vacant County Council seat

June 1, 2019

Thomas Alford, a Democrat, and Raymond Newton, a Republican, will compete for a vacant County Council seat this fall. The two are seeking to fill the District 5 seat that was left open in May, when Council Member Austin Beard resigned.

Voters will go to the polls to elect their new representative on Sept. 10.

A primary election was originally scheduled for July to decide between two Republican candidates, but one candidate, Mark Mercer, withdrew from the race on May 31. 

Voters in Georgetown County will also vote in the following elections this year:

• Nov. 5, Town of Andrews (mayor and 3 seats)

• Nov. 5, Town of Pawleys Island (mayor and 4 seats)

• Nov. 5, City of Georgetown General

Residents wishing to check or update their voter registration, or who need to register to vote, can do so at www.scvotes.org.

Residents may also contact the Georgetown County Office of Elections and Voter Registration at (843) 545-3339. The office is located at 303 N. Hazard St. in Georgetown.

 

James 'Kin' McKenzie Jr. sworn in as new Murrells Inlet magistrate

May 20, 2019

James Kinley “Kin” McKenzie Jr. was sworn in this morning as Georgetown County’s newest magistrate. Judge McKenzie will serve the Murrells Inlet community, replacing former Judge John Benso, who retired on April 30, after eight years.

McKenzie, an Inlet resident, worked in law enforcement for 34 years, including 27 years with the S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED). For the last 14 years with SLED, he was a captain over criminal investigations.

The oath of office was delivered to Judge McKenzie by Judge Tony Love, the associate chief magistrate and magistrate in charge of central traffic court. McKenzie’s wife Vicki stood by his side during the oath. McKenzie was also joined up front by Chief Magistrate Isaac L. Pyatt Sr. and Johnny Abraham, a friend and colleague, who is a current SLED captain for the Pee Dee region. McKenzie was appointed to the position by S.C. Sens. Stephen Goldfinch and Ronnie Sabb.

“I’m looking forward to this job and I can tell from the very beginning that the staff here is excellent,” McKenzie said. We’re going to work together wonderfully and carry out the duties of this office.”

Judge Pyatt encouraged him not to be afraid to lean on his fellow magistrates when necessary.

“I promise you we will be there for you at any time,” he said. “The worst question is the question that has never been asked. We work together as a team here, and we push forward for justice and justice alone. We don’t have any special friends to honor, nor any enemy to punish. We’re here to seek justice, and I know for sure that’s your aim as well, because if it wasn’t you would not be standing here today.”

McKenzie said he was very active in the Boy Scouts, both as a child and an adult. He and his son were Eagle Scouts.

“There is a part of the Scout oath that says ‘on my honor, I will do my best,’ and that is my promise to the citizens of Georgetown County,” McKenzie said.

McKenzie officially began his new job at 1 p.m. today.

 

New information regarding child support payments

April 16, 2019

The Georgetown County Clerk of Court has released new guidelines regarding child support payments. View them in full at the link below.

Guidelines regarding child support payments

 

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