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New Neighbor of Loretto Rest Wants Action on Rehabilitation Work
Dear Brian
I praise Mr. Valentine, Chairman of the Grove Committee, for his report to the Village Board regarding the Loretto Rest building and am delighted that something is finally proceeding ahead in the restoration of the property.
However, I disagree with his anticipated time frame to bring back the Rest. That building is deteriorating rapidly. There are holes in the roof, the floors are unsafe, the windows are missing, and the building is not secure. I know, I live next door.
It seems to me that "we the people" have three options regarding the building.
1) Sell the property and building to a private homeowner (500-750 thousand is estimated).
2) Tear down the building and duplicate it with new construction (probably cheaper in the long run.)
3) Repair the building using grants and donations. This option seems the most easily attainable.
A public hearing is needed to determine which option to take. However, time is of the essence.
Now that we have $250,000 in the bank for repairs (donated by a very generous citizen), I believe we should use that money to stabilize the building, which means start working on the building immediately so that it does not deteriorate further, not five years down the road.
Somehow, I tend to believe that the "five year" statement was politically motivated. Mr. Valentine’s committee feels that they are "walking on eggshells" not to offend those letter writing loud mouths who think that only "they" know what is best for Cold Spring.
Bob Ingram, former owner and editor of this paper, once told me that a newspaper needs an "editor." This paper does not list anyone as "editor" in the masthead.
Brian, as Publisher in lieu of editor, you do not need to print every letter you receive. Heaven knows the New York Times certainly "edits" and discards many of their letters.
In last week’s paper it seems, you printed a letter from Melanie Teagle, who was writing in "anticipation" of letters that "might" be written this week. Wow, this paper will now publish "preemptive letters to the editor."
Perhaps you print these letters week after week to be provocative and mistakenly think the controversy will sell newspapers. I believe these letters divide our community. These vitriolic obstructionists love to read their ramblings without regard to property ownership or business needs.
You don’t have to live here several generations to love this community. And likewise many who have lived here several generations are as turned off by some of these letters as I.
Perhaps in the future this newspaper should be a little more selective and diverse in choosing letters to the editor. And likewise government should be more responsive to the community.
If everyone will calm down a notch then we can work together allowing Loretto Rest to be remodeled without controversy and in a reasonable amount of time.
Tom Rolston
Cold Spring
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