Aynor business license violators need to pay up

Aynor business owners whose business licenses aren’t up-to-date may soon be hit with hefty fines.

At Monday’s monthly Aynor Town Council meeting, Mayor Keb Johnson said the town is going to start enforcing its business license laws.

“We have a select few businesses that we are close to threatening to take to the magistrate. Our town code states the town cannot shut down a business, but we can fine them up to $500 per day. We don’t want to do that. The last thing we want to do is hinder a business from making money for their families,” Johnson said. “At the same time, it’s not fair to the businesses that do pay for their licenses.”

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Johnson did not name the businesses that are operating on expired licenses, but said they know who they are because “we contacted them personally.”

Council member Tony Godsey Sr. said he agrees with the decision to begin the enforcement.

“If you do not renew your driver’s license on time, you pay a penalty for that,” Godsey said.

Council member Stan Woodle said the reason the businesses have not paid their business license fees is because they know the ordinance is not being enforced.

“It’s not because they don’t have the money. It’s not because they don’t have the business,” Johnson added.

The enforcement of the law will send a message that “I cannot shut you down, but I can write you a citation for up to $500 per day. I want to get the point across that it is not going to be tolerated anymore,” Johnson added.

Supporting the champions

Also during Monday’s meeting, council agreed to make a financial contribution to help cover some of the expenses for the town’s three girls teams that have earned spots in the Dixie Youth Softball World Series games.

The Sweeties, the Angels and the Ponytails will travel to different cities to play in the prestigious tournament. Players will leave today to play in Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee.

With 12 players and four coaches for each team, the cost is about $15,000 per team.

The cost could even be higher if any of the teams make it through all six days of the tournament.

“I would like to see if y’all would be willing to agree to make a donation to try to help these three teams with their travel expenses,” Johnson asked council.

Johnson said Horry County Council has pledged $1,000 per team to help with the costs.

“I have done some checking and we can do it out of our hospitality (tax) funds. I would like to see if you would be in agreement to do the same as the county has done,” Johnson said.

Council unanimously passed the motion.

“I will take them a check tomorrow,” Johnson said.