Fredonia board ignores public

Editor, OBSERVER:

Several years ago a member of the Fredonia school board resigned her position as a member. The board quickly and rightfully so filled the position with the next highest vote getter in the election – Cristina Gegenschatz. The board did this to show respect for those who voted for her.

This May there was a school board election. Gegenschatz was the highest vote getter with close to 400 votes. The next highest vote getter was Andrew Ludwig with more than 200 votes. A vacancy has recently occurred on the board. The board chose not to appoint Ludwig. Where is the respect for those more than 200 voters who voted for him?

This Board of Education repeatedly ignored the wishes of the community when large numbers of people showed their support for Ludwig. Parents and other residents have repeatedly come to board meetings to show support for a school resource officer. Again, it appears as if the board is ignoring the desire of the community by continually coming up with reasons to not hire one.

The Board of Education was elected to represent the community – time and time again they have ignored the community. It’s time for a change on the school board. It’s time to appoint someone who will listen to the people of this community.

That person is Andrew Ludwig.

SHIRLENE MILLER,

Fredonia

One more Fenner option

Editor, OBSERVER:

A third alternative to the sale or demolition of the Fenner House is enshrinement as a ruin. This would involve placing an approximately 10-foott-high iron fence around the property to deter graffiti artists while permitting views of the increasingly vine-shrouded property over coming centuries.

Such arrangements are familiar to those who have travelled throughout the Europe. The 2,000-year-old Roman Forum is perhaps the most prominent example.

When encountered, the European ruins have fascinated me. My memory of them is prominent.

An introduction of this practice in North America at the Fenner House would permit passersby to continue to appreciate the unique chimneys, frequently remarked about in architectural surveys, as well as the unusual outdoor framing of the street-facing windows and front door.

The cost to the university would be the construction of the fence and a long-term commitment to maintaining the lawn. This would assuage the village preservationists while avoiding the projected $300,000 cost of demolition.

MICHAEL C. BARRIS, Ph.D.,

Fredonia