Bailey working on district improvements

Rep. William Bailey (SC House District 104) has been very busy since taking office earlier this year.

One of the big things keeping Bailey busy right now is his work with the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) in regards to making travel through Little River much safer.

Due to the frequency of accidents resulting in injury, Bailey is lobbying for changes between Baldwin Avenue and Magnolia Avenue.

“In between Baldwin and Magnolia, people have a tendency to get into the median and use it as a travel lane,” said Bailey. “This has resulted in numerous sideswipe and rear-end accidents with injury and we need to do something to curb this.”

Bailey says he’s working to secure a public meeting within the next 30 days so the community can weigh in with their thoughts on the traffic issue. From there, he will work with SCDOT to formulate a feasible fix and work with other legislators to secure funding to make the changes which should help with safer travel.

In addition to this, Bailey has several other things on his plate right now in regards to the welfare of District 104 and the surrounding areas.

“We’re working to try and secure a Veterans’ Administration nursing home here in Horry County, which would be wonderful for the Veterans in our county,” said Bailey.

He also says that finding a solution to past and possible future flooding of the Waccamaw River is also a priority right now.

“Whether it’s dredging, cleaning or creating some sort of back channel, we’ve got to find a solution and implement it to prevent future flooding of the Waccamaw,” said Bailey.

Another topic currently at the forefront is the future of Waites Island.

Located across Hog Inlet past the Point in Cherry Grove, Waites Island is the first in a series of barrier islands that runs north toward Wilmington, N.C.

But there is a possibility on the table that it could be South Carolina’s 48th state park, as currently the city of North Myrtle Beach and Open Space, a conservation group which is part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, are negotiating to purchase parts of the island.

“The city is taking the lead in the effort on this potential project and I am here to lend support from the state level,” said Bailey. “A new park would be a great asset for not only our area, but the entire state.”

But not only are there many things happening right now, Bailey has also been able, with help from fellow legislators, to secure some wins for District 104 thus far in 2019.

“It’s unusual to get bills passed as a freshman representative,” said Bailey. “But the issues of duplication of efforts when it comes to the permitting for docks and seawalls I brought to the General Assembly were able to get fast-tracked. One bill was passed and the other vetoed by Gov. Henry McMaster, but it is being reworked and will go back to vote.”

Bailey, again working with his fellow legislators, was also able to secure $1 million in recurring funding to help with outfall construction for North Myrtle Beach. In addition, $1 million was also secured for Myrtle Beach, resulting in $2 million until all projects are completed, tentatively.

According to Bailey, all the things happening wouldn’t be possible without input from the citizens of District 104 and his fellow legislators.

“It’s such an amazing opportunity to be able to represent the area of which I was born and raised,” said Bailey. “The community has been a huge factor, along with other state representatives and members of the General Assembly, to get things done. It’s a true honor to represent the people of District 104.”