Saturday, January 3, 2009

Dead... Is It Really?


Let's venture out my front door and take a walk out my front door and saunter down the street. There used to be a large planter that tried to have flowers that blocked the end of the street near the creek bridge. It has since been removed. That happened when the owners of the larger subdivision up the block purchased several buildings in the lower half of my street as well as the subdivision that I live in. Here progress forgets. The Dead End sign that signaled to motorists that there was no outlet remains. Recently, someone changed the face of it. Maybe to make a statement? I believe so. Over the past couple of years, Myrtle Beach has allowed massive amounts of "improvement" building. Apparently they opened a window of time for building to occur and it has changed the composition of the city. Myrtle Square Mall is gone as well as the Pavilion, several waterfront bungalows, and many businesses that have been pillars in the community. Yes, progress has rid the city of some of the eyesores but it also has created eyesores that have never been seen. Never before has the plight of the homeless been as prevalent as it is now. Homeless camps in the woods are becoming more visible as they are getting larger and more and more you see prostitution and other illegal activities going on. You read the paper everyday and look at stores getting robbed, people getting murdered and other sad, sad news.

Is it Dead yet? Maybe not, but it is dying. Myrtle Beach was once a destination for the middle class with a little extra money to burn. The bike rallies are gone, the Pavilion, Myrtle Square, and of late, Hard Rock Park. Yesterday, Hard Rock Park's bankruptcy has been converted to a chapter 7 which indicates it will remain closed indefinitely. Unemployment is rampant and is in danger of being sucked dry. Job seekers turn to the paper only to find 4 classifieds in the employment section. I have never seen the job pool this dry. I am thankful daily to be able to have a job to go to. However that company is hurting just like the rest of upper lower America.

Maybe this absent artist is making a loud statement that should be heard. It is a statement of power in itself and should not be ignored. It is not speaking of a person or an entity, it is speaking of what is left in the wake of rampant Progress. Progress that is poorly planned and does not take into account all of the economic, environmental and social devastation it leaves behind. Dead...Is It Really? Maybe So.

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