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Coming Attractions & Housekeeping: What’s Ahead in Season Two of Grand Strand Politics

In this special “housekeeping” episode, we roll out the roadmap for Season Two and preview the major stories and tributes you won’t want to miss.

First, we look ahead to the Mark Kruea Era as he steps into office as Mayor of Myrtle Beach—what it means for the city, the council, and the direction of local leadership. We’ll also announce an upcoming show honoring former North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley, who retired in 2025 after an extraordinary 24 years of service.

This season will also revisit our roots with two important rebroadcasts. We’re bringing back our tribute to Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes, who passed away five years ago this month, and re-airing our acclaimed seven-part documentary series on former Myrtle Beach Mayor and WWII war hero Robert J. Hirsch—a deep dive into the life of one of the Greatest Generation’s most remarkable leaders.

That Hirsch series, built from interviews conducted by today’s Mayor Mark Kruea when he served as Myrtle Beach’s Public Information Officer, uniquely features two Myrtle Beach mayors—past and present—telling the story together. We’re reintroducing you to Hirsch and sending you to his new book, The Blonde Bombshell: Robert Joseph Hirsch—One of the Greatest of the Greatest Generation by Colonel David Hunter Wilson, available now on Amazon.

Finally, we tease a major sit-down: an extended interview series with John Bonsignor, former host of Big Talk—the grandfather of this style of episodic political conversation back when these shows lived on public-access television.

It’s a season built on leadership, legacy, and the people who shaped the Grand Strand. Welcome to what’s next.

Here is a link to "The Blonde Bombshell" available at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Blonde-Bombshell-greatest-Greatest-Generation-ebook/dp/B0FKD9YHDP

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Season Two Premiere: The Mark Kruea Era Begins

A new chapter in Myrtle Beach politics is officially underway.

In the Season Two premiere of Grand Strand Politics, we break down the first City Council meeting of the Mark Kruea era and take an early look at what kind of leadership style the new mayor and council are bringing to City Hall.

This episode dives into:
• The tone and priorities of the first meeting
• Who emerged as power players and who didn’t
• What changed — and what didn’t
• How the new council approached transparency, development, and public trust

From body language to ballot lines, from procedure to politics, we analyze what Tuesday’s meeting revealed about where Myrtle Beach may be headed next.

Is this a reset moment for the city — or just a reshuffling of the same old debates?

The Mark Kruea era has begun. Now it’s time to see what it really looks like.

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This episode is a simple thank you for tuning in and joining our Grand Strand Politics Group.

Congratulations to Mayor Elect Mark Kruea, Councilman Mike Lowder, Councilwoman Jackie Hatley, and returning councilman Phil Render, and also Congratulations to the new Mayor of North Myrtle Beach J Baldwin on their victories. Plus a congratulations to Marilyn Hatley for an extraordinary job well done as she retires as North Myrtle Beach Mayor after 24 years.

We look forward to keeping you up to date with the Grand Strand :Politics coming up in your area in the near future and to quote, the late great Bob Caudle, "Until next time, So long for now!!"

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In this episode we look back at the election of Mayor Elect Mark Kruea and Councilman Mike Lowder and then review the Myrtle Beach City Council Race. We share our own thoughts for the race and the recommendation of Mayor Elect Mark Kruea.

The 2025 Myrtle Beach City Council Run off will be held on November 18, this week, and it is between candidates Jackie Hatley, Phil Render and Nick Vaugh.

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Our podcast wishes to thank J Black Out and About for the use of his interviews with the various City Council and Mayoral candidates. This episode is with 6 of the council candidates that he interviewed. We earlier used the interview with Mark Kruea, a candidate for Mayor.

So, sit back and listen in as candidates Nick Vaugh, Kenya Hennigan, Terrance Butler, Myra Starnes, Johnnie Bellamy, and Mike Lowder talk with J. Black Out and About, about the future they foresee for the city of Myrtle Beach.

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The 2025 Market Commons - Grand Dunes Debate at the Robert Reed Recreation Center featuring all five Mayoral Candidates:

Mayor Brenda Bethune

Former Mayor Mark McBride

Mark Kruea

Daniel Aumen

Eva Rigney

Hosted by Bob Jubak former anchorman with WBTW in Myrtle Beach/Florence

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This episode is the debate from the Robert Reed Center put together by the Market Commons Home Owners Association group and the Grand Dunes Sub Associations. All of the City Council Candidates appeared.

Former WBTW-13 News Anchor Bob Juback was the host of the event.

This is a very good and informative forum.

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The Forest Dunes Homeowner Association every election cycle invites all the Myrtle Beach City Council and Mayoral candidates to come speak at their Association meeting. It is always a very interesting event. This one was no different. It was a chance to hear all of the candidates speak and tell about their plans for the future of the city of Myrtle Beach.

This episode you will hear from Mayor Brenda Bethune, Former Mayor Mark McBride, Mark Kruea, Eva Rigney all running for Mayor.

Council candidates Councilman Mike Lowder, Councilwoman Jackie Hatley, former Councilman Phil render, Johnnie Bellamy, Terrence Butler, Kenya Hennigan, Myra Starnes, and Nick Vaugh.

We will tell you that we had some sound quality issues with this event. But we hope you enjoy our effort to bring it to you.