Brian Palmer has deep roots in Horry County and a strong background in team leadership. A Retired Navy veteran, he proudly served our great nation, with 24 years of active military service.
Brian joined the U.S. Navy in 1998, just two weeks after graduating from high school. Over the years, he has earned an Associate of Arts in Food Service and Hotel Management and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
He is a dedicated family man. His wife is a Registered Nurse. He is also a proud father of a 17-year-old son and a 14-year-old daughter.
I had the privilege of interviewing the candidate recently.
Here are his responses:
Q: Mr. Palmer, what are the major issues in your district?
A: Growth and Development are of great importance to me. The rapid population growth in our county has led to increased demand for housing and infrastructure. This poses challenges for the county and district 10 in maintaining sustainable development.
Rising housing prices are also a deep concern. Affordable housing is a fundamental right and everyone deserves to call a place home.
Traffic and Infrastructure are a major issue. With growth comes congestion, so Improving roads and transportation infrastructure is critical to support the expanding population.
Flooding must be addressed by immediate action. The effects of climate change and urbanization makes flooding a constant threat to District 10 and many other areas of our county.
We also have to reform antiquated ordinances and zoning plans. This is crucial for building responsive and adaptive communities.
Our communities, especially the underserved rural areas need faster, more reliable emergency response times.
Q: Why did you decide to run?
A: It’s a combination of personal and community-driven motivations. I served 24 years of active duty in the US Navy, as well as volunteering personal time to every community in which my family and I lived. So, since retirement I’ve decided to continue serving, but now I do it for my forever community. I want to be an active part of the solutions to our challenges and make Horry County better than I found it.
Q: What do you intend to accomplish in office?
A: I intend to propose a SMART Infrastructure initiative that revises the current development plans to include incentives for developers to build affordable housing. I’ll work to implement stricter regulations to combat the practices of Wall Street type investors buying up houses and multi family units that drive up home prices and renting costs. Ill initiate thorough traffic studies to enhance road systems, reduce congestion, and improve traffic flow.
I will work toward expanding public transportation into rural areas to make all of our region more accessible, inclusive, and to reduce traffic. I’ll address school overcrowding, which is imperative. As we allocate funding for new schools we must also expand existing facilities to ensure every child has access to quality learning environments. HCSD and the School Board must be in the room during the planning phase.
I’ll work to create comprehensive flood management and mitigation plans that commit to investing in resilient infrastructure, improving, modernizing, and expanding drainage systems to safeguard our homes and businesses. I will enforce zoning that restricts development in high risk flood zones.
I will require a thorough assessment review of current planning and zoning ordinances. We must revise planning and zoning ordinances and encourage development plans that evolve with county growth, respect our environment, and enhance livability. Regular revisions to zoning codes will ensure that they evolve with changing needs and conditions.
I’ll address the need for faster, more reliable emergency response times, especially in our underserved and rural communities. We need to allocate funds to build or upgrade emergency facilities in these areas. We must invest in modern and reliable emergency vehicles and equipment. Every community, regardless of their ZIP code, deserves swift and effective emergency services.
Q: Why are you the better candidate?
A: I’m the better candidate because I have the understanding of Horry County’s unique challenges. With my career leadership experience and proven track record, I’m able to listen attentively and communicate effectively. I will work collaboratively with diverse groups to reach common goals.
My platform displays a clear, attainable, and inspiring vision for the future of Horry County. I’m committed to ethical behavior, transparency, and accountability as an Horry County Councilman.
Conclusion
As can be seen from these cogent and well-thought-out responses, Brian Palmer is clearly an excellent candidate for Horry County Council, District 10. He is clearly deserving of all of our votes.
You can learn more about Brian Palmer for Horry County Council (District 10) here.
