Shawn Pinkston to take DINA helm

Shawn Pinkston will take over the reins as president of the Daniel Island Neighborhood Association (DINA) next month, after the departure of the organization’s current leader, Clyde Rush.

In a letter to DINA members last week, Rush announced that he would be resigning from the post as of Sept. 15, due to a pending move to a community outside of the Daniel Island area. Pinkston has served as DINA vice president since January, when he and Rush were elected as executive officers. Prior to taking on his presidential duties for DINA, Rush served as chair of the DINA Land Use and Zoning Committee.

He said it has been “a pleasure to serve the Daniel Island community” and that he believes the organization has made great strides in two areas during his tenure: keeping residents informed about issues impacting the community; and making residents aware of the role that DINA plays and the authority it does and does not have when it comes to land use issues.

Moving forward, the biggest challenge DINA faces is residential involvement in leadership positions, explained Rush.

“While we don’t have a ‘vote’ on what happens in the community, collectively our voices matter,” he continued. “I hear residents say ‘I don’t like this or that,’ but when you discuss getting involved with the organization by assuming a leadership role, the request falls on deaf ears. Currently, DINA has a number of unfilled leadership roles. We need residents to step forward who are willing to walk the walk.”

Pinkston, a local attorney who is also a member of the Daniel Island Community Association Board of Directors, offered words of praise and thanks to Rush for his service.

“On behalf of all the members of DINA, we’re grateful to Clyde for stepping in as president in January,” said Pinkston. “He has done a tremendous job. His effort has been tireless and he has truly gone above and beyond….He truly took it upon himself to go out and be informed. He deserves our thanks for serving in what is frequently a very tough job. He’ll be missed and we wish him the best as he moves off the island.”

As to what his hopes are for his new role with DINA, Pinkston said he is appreciative of the chance to lead an organization that is continuing to make a difference in the community it serves.

“It’s always a wonderful opportunity to represent Daniel Island and our neighbors,” he said. “And to have the opportunity to make the island a better community for all of us. That is the goal for DINA, to be that voice so we can communicate with the mayor, so we can communicate with our city departments, so we can communicate with the Daniel Island Company, and the POA. It’s being an effective voice for every resident of Daniel Island.”

The next DINA meeting will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 5 and will feature several speakers connected with local schools, including Daniel Island School Principal Kori Brown, Philip Simmons High School Principal Dr. James Spencer and Mac McQuillin, a member of the Berkeley County School Board representing District 2.

“It’s an exciting time,” said Pinkston. “It’s hard to believe school starts on Thursday. For every parent who has a school-aged kid, this meeting is for them.”

For additional information on DINA and the upcoming meeting, visit www.dineighborhoodassociation.org.