Here's a follow up to my letter published last month regarding the Union City Historic Preservation Advisory Committee. The letter got the attention of the members, specifically those who hadn't shown up to form a quorum in order for the permanent officers to be appointed. I took the calculated risk of exposing their behavior and its consequences. We got the quorum and expect the officers will be elected. My next aim is to ensure that it does not take on the identity of a rubber-stamped board or its Officers merely show up to warm the seats.
I also want to publicly commend the Jane Jacobs of Union City, Ms. Kathie Pontus, for consistently showing up at every meeting as a member of the public and volunteering her expertise as local historian par excellence to the Board.
Finally readers should know that not one official in City Hall, Board of Ed, Building Department, Library, etc. came forward with any information- not even a tidbit - not even a word of support or encouragement - to see if they could help in the possible landmark status of Union City's very own City Hall. Could it be that our elected officials in Union City don't actually want to see any historic buildings preserved? But here I risk again, offending some people who would probably prefer me to be a meek and mild member of the Board rather than the preservationist activist that I am truly at heart. History will look back on our current development mania and wonder who among its residents spoke up and spoke out to challenge the status quo to pay attention to preserving what grand buildings we have left.
A fellow resident,
Tony Squire
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