Re: Old High School

[Phil Smith <smit9570@uidaho.edu>]

Two thoughts that I would like to contribute...

On Tue, 9 Jun 1998, Don Roskovich wrote:

> Preserving the history of a community should be important to all.  How good
> it is we saved the Old Post Office and what a shame if we loose the high
> school.  There are generations yet unborn that one day will feel a
> connection with that old building. 

1.  What is the value of this building to our community?  I think of it as
a sentimental old building in need of repair.  If we choose to preserve it
than how can we use it to best serve the community.  No, it is not much of
an elegant mansion, but it is a community gathering place that has served
this place in the past and could well into the future as well.  It could
be a pretty expensive undertaking so would it provide us with a unique
community resource despite the high costs of effective renovation?


> Perhaps those who are so eager to start
> wielding pick and shovel don't have a history in this area.  This is ELLEN
> ROSKOVICH (the other half of "donell").....and my Idaho roots go back to 1918.
> 

2.  This type of rhetoric bothers me.  I feel that it only serves to
divide a community that is trying to mediate its future.  I respect the
fact that you take pride in your family's roots to this region and this
community.  However, that does not invalidate the feelings of newcomers to
the community.  My Idaho roots only go back to 1995, I am a student and I
may not stay long.  But I am here now and I still value this community's
sense of place and I also wish to contribute to it with integrity and
vision. 

Phil Smith