MB man found qualified for DOT commission

Posted on March 3, 2008 
Filed Under News

Myrtle Beach businessman Danny Isaac was cleared as a candidate for a seat on the state Department of Transportation Thursday, along with three others.

A fifth candidate dropped out.

Isaac is seeking the 1st Congressional District seat on the DOT commission. The unpaid positions are influential because they set policy and priorities for road projects and transportation spending.

The screening panel, composed of House and Senate members, must approve everyone it finds qualified.

Isaac is a partner in A&I Fire and Water Restoration and has long been active in community affairs. He has served on the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce board and was its chairman.

He was not available for comment.

Isaac faces three challengers from the Charleston area who are all in the trucking industry.

They are David Bunch of Awendaw, Thomas Byrd of Moncks Corner and Ken Willingham of Mount Pleasant. Homemaker Tara Walsh went through the screening but dropped out.

The candidates can start campaigning after noon March 4.

The commissioner will be elected by members of the legislative delegation from the 1st Congressional District, which is heavily weighted with Charleston-area residents.

State Rep. Thad Viers, R-Myrtle Beach, has said he hopes the Charleston delegation will split their vote, giving the Horry County candidate a majority.

Legislators can’t commit their votes to any of the candidates until after noon March 4, but Horry County’s delegation tried to get Isaac elected to the commission last year before the rules changed and they have said they will fight for a member from Horry County.

A meeting to elect a commissioner has not been set. The rules require public notice of the election meeting, which will be open to anyone.

 

The Sun News
By Zane Wilson
2/22/2008