EDITORIAL: Foreclosure does not have to be the end of CRC

When the Darlington County Humane Society approached Darlington County Council for more funds in recent months, only one member of council, Wesley Blackwell, even attempted to find money for the shelter’s operating costs with actual measures proposed. The motion failed for lack of a second. During that debate, Councilwoman Wilhelmina P. Johnson said the society was not a part of the county as a nonprofit group and was against the additional funds.

The shelter, which the Humane Society took over from the county, is a county responsibility. Its workers are officially contractors with the county but should be paid nonetheless as the county must provide funds for the shelter’s operations. It’s in the contract.

While some on council believe the funds being requested are just “for the animals,” they are truly for the people who staff the shelter seven days a week cleaning up the mess county residents create by not spaying or neutering their pets. That paycheck cycles through the local economy as the staff purchase groceries, fuel and other items.

On Monday, Johnson fought to get funds to keep the Darlington County Cultural Realism Complex (CRC) Inc., the organization of which she is executive director, pay off a loan and escape foreclosure proceedings.

She claims her request is no different than other nonprofits seeking county funding, but there is a big difference: Her direct economic interest in the survival of the CRC. She also wants council to change its long-standing policy against funding nonprofits only now that her nonprofit is in danger.

Rightly, Chairman Billy Baldwin ruled her request out of order because it is completely unethical for her to ask for those funds from her seat on council. Already, the complex will receive $2,714, from county’s Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee for its contributions to county coffers, which is fair and not a special request to a member of council.

Had she addressed council during the two-minute public speeches that begin each meeting, had another member of the CRC staff request the funds or had she not just used the county’s policy against the Humane Society three weeks ago, perhaps the discussion would be different.

Johnson not only has an economic interest in the survival of the CRC but an emotional attachment to it as well. Working on a project for 37 years, one becomes invested a way few get to do in today’s economy, and it is difficult to come to the reality that one’s dreams are no longer shining as brightly.

The CRC’s mission “to bridge the gap between school and home with educational, historical and cultural activities within our community” does not have to be extinguished by this bump in the road however. Handing over those keys may open new doors.

Perhaps Johnson can work with local churches to provide the same services the CRC provides now using a variety of locations to increase its reach into the community.

She may be able to show churches ways to initiate their own programs then move to the next church. Fostering the growth of educational afterschool programs at every church in Darlington, while a huge task, could be the lasting legacy the CRC was meant to fulfill.

Foreclosure of the buildings that CRC calls home does not have to be the end of your dream, Mrs. Johnson. It may be its new beginning, a path to reinvigorate the efforts to bring educational, historical and cultural activities to our community. A valiant cause that may have been hidden by the buildings you are so desperately hanging on to.

The money to stave off foreclosure for the time being cannot be justified given the economic conditions and a public weary of government bailouts. CRC may do admirable work, but it is not an essential function of government. Citizens won’t stand for spending county funds on a private enterprise when the executive director sits on council, especially when public budgets dwindle and endanger critical services such as teachers, police and fire protection.

While we admire your efforts and willingness to continue fighting, we cannot agree that county taxpayers should shoulder the burden of the CRC’s mortgage. No matter how great the cause.