LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Sometimes it's better to tear down
1/12/2012Why is The Blade so concerned about elected officials in Seneca County doing their jobs ("Seneca's shame," editorial, Dec. 29)? Does anyone think it was easy for these officials to tear down the courthouse?
In the late 1970s, Fremont was faced with a problem with its city hall. A number of folks thought it should be preserved. I, a Realtor, was on a committee to decide its fate.
I found in one of my appraisal books a term that fit the building: functional obsolescence. It had served its purpose.
We made the decision to raze it. The mayor had me address the city council. It took only a minute to vote for destruction.
Jim McGrady
Fremont
Officials' neglect hurt courthouse
The start of the Seneca County Courthouse mess was neglect by commissioners for the past 40 to 50 years. The courthouse could have been saved, but two of the three commissioners have their own agenda.
We voters have an agenda too, so watch out come election time.
I'd rather see the money spent on razing the courthouse go to county departments. The courthouse can be there for awhile longer.
It's a sad commentary on society that if something's old, it should be pitched. What does that tell our youth? What will be next?
Charlene Harmount
Bloomville, Ohio
Courthouse, Hayes home important
The front page of your Jan. 5 edition shows the Seneca County Courthouse being torn down. In the Second News section, you report that the President Rutherford B. Hayes home in Fremont is being preserved ("Hayes' home to close for final phase of $1.2M refurbishing").
Aren't the two buildings equally important?
Jerry Nailor
Bellevue, Ohio
Courthouse coverage too much
Your reporting on the Seneca County Courthouse demolition is too much ("Tears flow as history falls to wrecking ball," Jan. 10). To devote almost two pages to this is overkill.
I wonder how many readers you have in Tiffin, or how many readers in this area care about that courthouse.
Loren Streib
Swanton
Pursuit of details led to firings
Toledo Mayor Mike Bell has fired the top two people who ran the Department of Neighborhoods ("2 Toledo officials fired amid inquiries," Jan. 4). Without dogged investigative reporting by The Blade, none of the details of allegations of bid-rigging, favoritism, and poor supervision would have come to light.
Calvin Buckmaster
Kirk Street
FBI must probe city department
With this many people associated with the Neighborhoods Department accused of vague charges, why not add conspiracy to commit fraud?
It wasn't their money they were spreading around. It was the federal government's. Get the FBI in there.
Joyce Douglas
Ward Street