Regarding the unfortunate burning of our official Governor's Mansion and the subsequent controversy about rebuilding/repairing it, I took immediate exception to the remark made by Norma Matheson even before the smoke had cleared that, "Of course we will rebuild, there is no question about that."
Unless Mrs. Matheson plans to use private funds for said repair, then there certainly should be some question about a million-dollar-plus repair job when the paint, so to speak, is barely dry from the last refurbishing extravaganza.Granted it was once a beautiful building with historical significance for some who reside here, but there should be a reasonable limit to what will be spent in rebuilding antique firetraps.
After all is said and done, the wood, the glass, the workmanship cannot be replaced, only replicated. Is that sensible?
Many of us have stood impotently by as our pockets have been picked by the well-meaning Heritage Foundation as they tackle one expensive project after another.
A good example is our City/County Building. We were told that the astronomical cost of strengthening its foundation and refurbishing the interior would be minimized by rental fees over the years.
But few business firms care to rent there, for obvious reasons: poor heating and air-conditioning facilities, limited space for modern office equipment and limited parking space.
I am well aware that this letter opens a ghastly can of worms, that people who have money also have the power to do whatsoever they will, and that, in this instance, as in many others, they will use that power to bulldoze the desires of others into uneasy submission.
But might is not always right. It is my feeling that before a hasty decision is made by a few powerful people to go ahead with this rebuilding project, the consensus of others should be heard to determine if, in fact, this is the best course to follow.
I, too, care about history, but I care more about people who live and suffer today. I care about the hungry and homeless in our state whom the taxpayers could really help with $1 million plus. I don't care that much about a gutted ancient structure built by a millionaire who wished to impress the public with his financial success.
Joy S. Robinson
Salt Lake City