Mayor’s Plan Thoughtful

To the Editor:

Being a local who loves this area and its history, I am very supportive of the thoughtfulness that Mayor Judith Vincent has given to the restoration of our beloved Courthouse building.

Having attended City Council meetings, I have heard nothing but the utmost care and study being given to the renovation plans which she and the council are looking into.

Mayor Judith Vincent has said numerous times, that if and when they move forward, they plan to choose an architect to oversee the job who is an expert, and who has a history of restoring historic buildings. Mayor Vincent has also stated that they plan to do the repairs very carefully, in order to maintain the historic building in the very best way possible, as well as in accordance with law, architectural rules, and regulations.

A gentleman at the meeting pointed out that “in order for a structure to be designated as a historic building, a date must be chosen, and all renovations must adhere to that date and time period”.

For example, if you pick a date before there was electricity, then the renovated building cannot have electricity in the restoration. Therefore, choosing this date needs to be carefully thought through, especially if they still wish to use the building for City Council meetings and other town events.

Mayor Vincent only became mayor this past year. No other mayor before her ever registered the building as a historic building, so Mayor Vincent has to research everything.

Parts of the building have been in disrepair, and repairs have had to be made along the way to prevent water damage from harming the structure any further. All of this and previous restorations will have to be addressed if the historic designation is to be applied for.

I truly cannot think of a more generous, wise, smart, caring, or thoughtful mayor for this town. I feel we are all so fortunate that she graciously took this volunteer position.

She is also the non-paid City Manager, which is usually a town’s largest job and the highest paid position. She has worked very hard and extremely long hours, and she has even paid for some necessary items out of her own pocket, because she knew the town needed them. She loves this town and the people here.

I respect the fact that Mayor Judith Vincent truly cares for this town and wants to keep its special quality and history. In my opinion, she has done an incredibly wonderful job so far as the mayor and the alarmist articles that have been saying extreme and hurtful things about her are unfair and uncalled for. Mayor Vincent deserves our respect, and we should try to help her in every way possible to preserve this rare and beautiful town and its history.

Nancy Addison Round Top