Fate of Augdon House is in hands of developer

Fate of Augdon House isin hands of developer
EDITOR:
The recent rejection by Poland Village Council to accept movement of the historic home known as the Augdon House deserves explanation to the general public. This controversy is an example of many people working at odds, but with the best interest of their community in mind, as they see it.
I think I can safely say that no one on council wants to see this historic building destroyed. But council's decision is not the catalyst that will cause its loss. That decision is still to be made by the developer who plans to put a condominium on the property. For the past two months the developer has been campaigning to have the Poland Preservation Society take the responsibility to move the structure, and they unselfishly did so. The easiest and least expensive property to move the structure to was village property next door. Village council voted to consider the proposal, but it was made clear early on by the council that the project must be totally cost free to the village and that it must be fully supported financially by the Preservation Society, forever.
Neighborhood negative reaction as well as deed restrictions made this original site unfeasible.
The next proposal by the Preservation Society was to place the house in the front of village hall property in the southern corner. An intriguing idea to me at first, until I personally received overwhelming negative feedback about the idea. The typical response I received questioned the reasoning why the beauty of village hall and its grounds should be compromised by sticking another building in front of it, albeit of in a corner.
And unfortunately, questions regarding specifics about long-term maintenance, utilities, insurance, etc. were not addressed prior to the time the question was brought before council for vote at a special meeting Oct. 26.
At that meeting there was much heated discussion, which got quite emotional at times. Council was accused of not providing good leadership if it did not accept the building. Council could not vote to allow the building to be moved to village hall property with incomplete planning and unknown financial information, but I guess some will still accuse council of poor leadership. I am betting that our residents prefer council's decisions to be based on logic and fiscal soundness, and not on emotional desires by the few.
Personally I despise the thought of losing another historic building in our town. Any businessman worth his salt with dealings in historic Poland Village should feel the same. Regardless, the developer who will raze the building has campaigned hard at creating the illusion that the loss of the structure is everybody's responsibility but his.
This letter is ultimately my plea that the Augdon House stay where it is. I am certain that if the Preservation Society were given the opportunity to purchase the house where it is, they would do so. The talent and competence of this wonderful group of Poland residents would no doubt return the structure to its original beauty, and beyond. Paraphrasing Ronald Reagan: Please, Mr. Developer, do not tear down this house!
BILL DUNNAVANT
Poland village councilman
Attack the cause of crime
EDITOR:
In the article about the sales tax in the Nov. 4 Vindicator, Auditor George Tablack is quoted as saying, "the sheriff's department and the courts -- account for about 70 percent of the county's general-fund expenditures. That's because the county has one of the highest crime rates in the nation."
If crime is taking up 70 percent of the general fund resources, we should allocate more resources to treating the "cause" rather than the "symptoms." If the courthouse roof leaks, you fix the roof, not place buckets on the floor to catch the water.
By successfully treating the symptoms, the cost of law enforcement and operation of the courts should decrease.
STAN MASSARELLI
Poland