New Georgetown County councilwoman on Waccamaw Neck, inland relations: 'We're one county'

By Mike Woodel
POST & COURIER
January 19, 2023

GEORGETOWN — One of two Waccamaw Neck freshmen on Georgetown County Council, Stella Mercado has the whole of the county in her sight.

Mercado, a founder and seller of multiple businesses, was sworn in on Jan. 10 to succeed Steve Goggans in District 6, representing the middle of the Neck with Pawleys Island to the south and Murrells Inlet to the north. The Neck's location along U.S. Highway 17 and the beach gives it a more concentrated population than the more rural, forested inland.

But despite conversation about the gap between development on the Neck and inland Georgetown County in the past year’s worth of county meetings, Mercado sees the county as a whole, never the Neck and the rest.

"I think we're one county, and I think that we need to work together and there needs to be an end to the perception of a separation between the Neck and the rest of the county,” Mercado said.

Mercado can quickly list off water, sewer, flooding, economic development, roads and traffic among the issues affecting both the Neck and inland.

Working with the Grand Strand Area Transportation Study and the Georgetown County Water and Sewer District, she said, will be necessary to prepare for growth as development spreads from Horry and Charleston counties.

In her own district, the county faces lawsuits surrounding development approved in Parkersville, a traditionally African American community near Pawleys Island. The council votes that touched off the lawsuits occurred before Mercado was sworn in.

Mercado said she couldn't comment on the lawsuits but did say it is crucial that the county finish its comprehensive plan update. Aligning the plan with county zoning ordinances is one of the biggest challenges the county faces, she said, but ties into her future goals.

"There's a myriad of issues that need to be addressed," Mercado said. "But you have to kind of start small. And I think the best thing that we can do is finish up the comprehensive plan and the look at the things in front of us, like the port, that I think will have a very significant impact to the future of our county."

Mercado also noted development when speaking on the reasons she decided to run for public office for the first time.

"Five to 10 years ago, there was a lack of vision for the county and there was quite a bit of development," Mercado said. "And it didn't seem like they were in sync, so at least with respect to the Litchfield, Pawleys Island, down to Debordieu area. So that's what motivated me. And I've got two young boys, and I want to make sure that the quality of life continues for their future."

Friends and confidants say they've seen the traits necessary for public office in Mercado for some time.

Kristin Bohan said she met Mercado at a women’s leadership conference years ago. She remarked on the sacrifice and grit required to become a Division I athlete — Mercado lettered twice as a University of Virginia softball player in the 1990s.

"What I really admired about her was that she appears — I don't know how she feels inside — but she appears unafraid," Bohan said.

Amy Miller served with Mercado on the Coastal Montessori Charter School's Parent-Teacher Organization and worked on her campaign committee. She called Mercado's decision to run as a parent of young children with an understanding of government and education "refreshing."

"Unfortunately, people that are as qualified as her oftentimes don't want to enter such an environment of such political extremism," Miller said of Mercado.

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