Race plays role in talks with officials  March 11, 2007   You
don't have to be motivated by the same concerns to improve race
relations.  Case in point is what's quietly going on between the
city of Myrtle Beach and a faith-based community organization
led by area black ministers.  The group and the city have been
meeting in recent weeks on various topics, including discussing
the city's bidding process, mentorship programs, cleaning up
neighborhoods and a potential rhythm and blues festival.
There's nothing unusual going on, no special treatment for one
group of city residents. When I sat down with Bennie Swans, a
leader in the faith-based organization, city spokesman Mark
Kruea and assistant city manager John Pedersen at City Hall a
few weeks ago, Kruea wanted that clearly understood.  "We have a
couple of neighborhoods that need a little extra assistance,"
Kruea said. "This is not a black or white or racial issue in any
sense."  But it is. And that's OK.  A sizable percentage of
black residents don't trus