DHSF Responds
To Letter Writer
Dear Editor:
(This is a response to Dan E. Gruzska’s letter to the editor published on Tuesday, February 15.)
Mr. Gruzska:
Your letter to The Dillon Herald’s editor published on Tuesday, February 15, contained glaring errors resulting from either misinformation or no information at all. First of all, Dillon Historic School Foundation (DHSF) is NOT the Dillon County Historical Society. Both of these organizations exist primarily to preserve Dillon County’s history and to actively promote tourism, attracting visitors to our county and to the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. Contrary to your biased opinion, neither of these community organizations can be denounced as “self-serving,” and neither promotes “self interests.” Both serve the community’s interests.
Regarding the J. V. Martin site, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014, DHSF has recently been contacted by individuals and organizations from both North and South Carolina who have expressed interest in leasing or renting portions of the property for genuine, transparent purposes—each serving a specific need, all providing positive and beneficial changes for the Dillon community. Reclaim the past. Proclaim the future!
To answer your extended question posed in the fourth paragraph: Dillon Historic School Foundation was organized in 2010, long after downtown revitalization was completed over twenty years ago. Needless to say, DHSF could NOT have been involved in those developments and actions that you now consider detrimental to downtown businesses and property owners. The redesigning of our Main Street was a project of the Dillon Downtown Revitalization Committee, chaired by John Braddy and funded by Department of Transportation grants.
Finally, DHSF has NO reason to “do something,” or anything for that matter, with the beautifully restored Dillon County Courthouse. Why would it?! The courthouse is a true treasure! DHSF focuses solely on the preservation of Dillon’s neglected schools and any historically significant attached properties.
Mr. Gruzska, I am mailing you a DHSF brochure which will fully explain DHSF’s history, philosophy, mission, accomplishments, and goals. Please expect delivery sometime very soon. DHSF invites you and all interested citizens to attend its regularly scheduled meetings on the first Tuesday of every month.
Respectfully,
Gerald M. Berry,
DHSF Chairman
P.O. Box 173
Dillon, SC. 29536
