By Betsy Finklea
The Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority’s (PDRTA) Board of Directors met in Dillon at the Dillon County Council Office on Thursday, November 16th for a special occasion— to celebrate the 42 years of service of Nancy G. Finklea.
Finklea represented the City of Dillon on the board during her tenure and retired from the board earlier this year.
Chuck MacNeil, Executive Director of the PDRTA, called Finklea the “matriarch” of the PDRTA. He said that she was assigned the task by a state senator to address the transportation needs in the community. She was a charter member of the PDRTA board. “I can’t thank you enough for everything that you have done,” MacNeil said.
Judy Alexander, a member of the PDRTA Board, said it was a pleasure serving with Finklea on the board and thanked Finklea for all she had done for PDRTA.
Jackey Ellerbe-Shannon said Finklea was a good listener. She said Finklea knew how to offer advice and know how to speak up about issues of concern without alienating others. She thanked Finklea for being on the board and for helping to get PDRTA back in the right direction.
Rebecca Gamble, a newer board member, thanked Finklea for her help and the way she modeled being a board member.
MacNeil then made additional remarks. He said his first two years as executive director were “rather horrifying” He said he made extreme moves and that PDRTA almost did not survive due to financial issues. He said in his first year and a half, he reduced the agency by 70 percent eliminating service. He said painful, difficult decisions were made. He said it was the financial reality of doing business. He said if Finklea and the board had not followed up on his recommendations, PDRTA would likely have closed its doors.

MacNeil talked about a new grant with the Pee Dee Council of Governments where a bus comes to Harbor Freight. He said now that they are financially viable, they are hoping to reconnect with Dillon and other communities. He said people need to get to work, school, and other appointments. He said they are trying to improve the quality of life, and Finklea had been the “backbone” of that for a long time. “We couldn’t have done it without her and colleagues on the board,” MacNeil said.
MacNeil said that there have been lots of ups and downs, but things are moving in a positive direction now; they are solvent; and they will grow wisely.
MacNeil said there are many people in the community who are reaching out and need more services. MacNeil said they can leverage a great deal of funds and grants with come local money in the game.
Gerald Miller, a PDRTA board member, said he had known Finklea for a long time. He said she was a role model, and she was dedicated. He said she speaks the truth and lets you know it. He said she was a good board member.
Several people in attendance then spoke about Finklea. Senator Kent Williams thanked Finklea for her many years of service. He said serving and volunteering her time says a lot and to do it for 42 years demonstrates her commitment to mankind. He said her reputation precedes her. He said this was an honor well-deserved.
Paul Gasque, Finklea’s brother, said one of the most meaningful services is transportation. He said Finklea, who had a foot surgery and temporarily lost her ability to get around, never lost her desire to get people to work, school, doctor’s visits, etc.
Dillon County Council Chairman Archie Scott said a tree is known by the fruit it bears, and she had a good family who was carrying it to the next level.
Dillon County Councilman Jack Scott also offered comments.
After the comments, MacNeil presented Finklea with a PDRTA shirt, a bouquet of flowers, and a Pandora bracelet with the letters, P-D-R-T-A.
Finklea then made remarks. She said years ago when she was approached about being on the board, she wanted to help people be able to go where they need to go. She said that PDRTA had been up and down, but she felt they were headed in the right direction to get people where they need to go.
Finklea said that we can bring jobs to the area, but if we can’t get people to the jobs then we are defeated before we start.
She said she was glad they had gotten the transfer station in downtown Florence so people can have covered area to wait for the bus. She said it was a wonderful thing.
She thanked everyone for their kind words.
After her remarks, everyone enjoyed a meal.