(EDITOR’S NOTE: The following letter was sent to Cherokee County Council and a copy provided to us for publication.)

Gentlemen:

I was surprised to hear about your recent vote to pay the utility bills of the Cherokee County History and Arts Museum for the next six months.

I sympathize with the difficulties that are being experienced by the History and Arts Museum. With the present bad economy and high unemployment, all nonprofits are struggling to continue operations.

Peach Center Ministries, for example, has experienced a decrease in donations coupled with an increase in the need for the assistance provided. This situation has caused us to postpone several purchases and to reduce the services provided to our clients. In other words, we have had to make some difficult decisions about our operation.

This brings me to my point. It is difficult for many of us in the nonprofit arena to understand why a museum was provided assistance and agencies like Peach Center Ministries, Iron City Ministries and others that help the needy of Cherokee County were not given this financial help. We are not looking for special treatment, just equal treatment.

I look forward to hearing from you. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Donald W. Ross
Board President
Peach Center Ministries
Gaffney, S.C.