The article entitled “Unapproved historic house repairs cause problems” published in the Feb. 18, 2010 issue of the Georgetown Times unfortunately may have given the impression that Prince George Winyah Episcopal Church had been engaged in improper, unapproved renovations of one of its buildings that lies in Georgetown’s Historic District.  This is most certainly not the case.

The Parish applied for and was issued a building permit by the city Interim Planning Director.

The application for the permit disclosed the full scope of the proposed work, which was limited to the replacement of rotten siding and trim with like kind material appropriate for the subject property.

 The house is not being renovated — rotten wood is being replaced with new wood which has been milled to match existing siding.  

We were told by city Planning that the scope of work did not fall under the purview of the Architectural Review Board.

 In addition, we were told that an application to, and approval by, the ARB for the scope of work as submitted and discussed was not required.

The work was begun per the terms of the permit, which we and our contractor were told was consistent with the city’s guidelines and procedures.

The Prince George campus encompasses almost an entire block within the Historic District.  

Its wardens, vestries, and parishioners have preserved, and will continue to preserve, at significant costs, the historic integrity of its buildings and grounds.

  We are supportive of the efforts of both the Planning Department and the ARB to maintain appropriate guidelines and of the effective and efficient implementations of those guidelines for properties within the Historic District, and we complied therewith.

Wm. D. Starnes

Senior Warden

Prince George Winyah

 Episcopal Church

Re: Brock’s column

Regarding John Brock's column of Feb. 18, 2010.  "Can we not pray openly or silently anywhere on public property?"

One has to wonder how quickly Mr. Brock and others who felt that this Christian group was discriminated against would have come to the defense of the "vilified" if it was Islam that was being taught at Georgetown High every morning.   

Would the high school staff have been let off so easily if it was discovered that they had allowed an unauthorized person to come on school property for the last 10 years and hand out  verses from the Koran?  Would the, "Alleluia Allah Club" still be allowed to exist, even if it now conforms to prescribed rules?   Please.

Berni Bader

  The movie theaters at the Murrells Inlet mall have closed.  There are eight separate theaters there.  They all have seats.

 The owners may be willing to sell some of the better ones at a reasonable price for use in the Winyah Auditorium once cleaned up or tastefully refurburished.  

While producing the same result (lots of places to put posteriors), the recycling of movies theater seats might prove less expensive, all while being environmentally sensitive.  

 Just a thought.

Tom Rubillo

Georgetown