To the editor:
[Re “Prospects bleak for oldest building on S. Main Street, April 21]: It took me several passes reading this to understand how the story of the precarious Hardwick Gazette building is unfolding. Admittedly, I haven’t been following along closely, so it took time to grasp the initial stakeholder portion of copy, before digesting the rest. With the pedestrian bridge project in full swing, I’ve had more time to ruminate while sitting at either traffic light. The vacant building largely strikes a chord with me more for the loss of a tangible newspaper, and less for its potential loss as a physical structure. Further gawking has me wondering: what would downtown look like without the Hardwick Gazette building? I understand it’s old and in a historic district. I am confounded because I am typically more compassionate about preservation and development, but it’s hard not to imagine an empty space void of its troubles with an unobstructed view. Perhaps a granite-filled space that honors the past with pedal power amenities. Maybe a fresh coat of paint would change my mind, but in the end, those in the know have the difficult realities to face while I’ll continue to “wait and see.” Some decisions will be beyond their control, too, much like a bobber and fishing line caught on a branch: just out of reach and too many knots to be useful again. Meanwhile, I’m more than a little excited to track down the pedestrian bridge construction timeline that Hardwick Downtown Partnership President Shari Cornish mentioned in “Business as usual as pedestrian bridge, wall projects underway, April 21.” Sure I can and do skirt the red lights, but it’s more fulfilling to see the daily progress, envision positive outcomes, support our local businesses, and, yes, see the Hardwick Gazette building in the middle of it all.
Tonya West
East Hardwick
Tonya West was a one-time editor of the now defunct Caledonia County weekly newspaper, The Lyndon Independent.
