Old & new together
John Maxfield, Admire
Monday, October 18, 2010
Fellow Lyon Countians, are we so wealthy that we should destroy four sound and functional buildings for appearance sake alone?
If a wealthy benefactor offered to build you a new home, would you tear down your good and needed barns? If he bought you a limousine, would you cut for scrap your old but operable hay, grain and cattle trucks?
I suggest that no good farmer, stockman or businessman would be so foolish. If appearance is the real issue, over-skin the round tops with color steel; maybe in the color of light stone or green. Run the metal horizontal in the style of the fair ground entrances. One could even sandwich insulation between the two roof systems for a modest cost with big gains.
A Cadillac building of 6,000 square feet cannot replace 16,000 square feet of sound utilitarian structures that merely need a face lift.
I doubt that Mr. Bowyer has stipulated that his generous gift in this century must displace and destroy Mr. Anderson’s still useful and generous gift from the last century. With moderate effort and expense their gifts can coexist, even complement one another with good benefit to all Lyon Countians.
How about it, Clint?
John Maxfield, Admire
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
Thanks to people like John, this town has never left 1986, and furthermore I feel that if the decision was up to him, the new proposed building wouldn't even get built, because that would add something new to our "historic" fairgrounds.
No John, you can't polish a turd, I'm sorry to say. Just tear them down.
October 18, 2010 at 2:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tosie (anonymous) says...
ditto Matt - there may never be another generous opportunity as Clint is giving - the people that are stuck in the dark ages just need to get over the fact that they are coming down - all E.T. did was stir the pot and give people something to complain about.
October 18, 2010 at 2:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
In actuality I am one of 19,900 that Matt spoke of. If they come down that's fine with me....if they stay up then spruce them up and try to make them look like they have a purpose other than hay storage or some such thing....and that will be fine with me also. In a few more years I will be gone....and that will be fine with me too.
As far as Mr Anderson is concerned, he has as much right to express his opinion on the buildings as anybody else does.....but no more. A gift is just that...a gift. I have given many gifts in my life. I neither expected everlasting gratitude, nor did I expect to be able to dictate how that gift was used in perpetuity. Some times I felt the gifts were misused or abused and that would go along way towards deciding any further generosity on my part. But once it was given I relinquished any further claim on its use or treatment. The Anderson family should be able to do the same with their generous gift given so many years ago. JMO
October 18, 2010 at 3:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
honey3854 (anonymous) says...
I think if Mr. Anderson is willing to pay for improvements, we would be foolish to tear the Quonsets down. Some landscaping would also greatly help to blend in with the other elements at the Fairground. (Could the landscaping crew be people who are doing Diversion for Court Ordered community service?)
The community has had access to these buildings at little or no cost to the taxpayer. Are we prospering so well in this economy that we can throw away "paid for" facilities? Is that really progress?
And as I recall, in all fairness, there are several businesses west of Prairie that reflect some owner neglect and could use some TLC.
October 18, 2010 at 4:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LAZER (anonymous) says...
Well...
For "starters"...I believe the Quansetts should go. But, they should be dismantled, sold to somebody. Maybe, given...to someone, stipulating they be reconstructed.
The buildings are not attractive. If not removed, they should be repainted...and landscaping put in.
The entire Fairgrounds area is an eyesore. Even the statues. Yes, they are Great, but, there is no "warmth". Landscaping should be added. The around around should be beautified. Perhaps, some kind of sinage. A couple of picnic tables put in...allowing for travelers a place to stop; or, for locals to go for a "picnic",
Let's get rid of the white crushed rock in the Fairgrounds. Put in small crushed rock or pea gravel.
Also...dump that noise...loud noise that was blaring from speakers the evening I was there---and, I don't plan going again, unless I am assured that noise won't be playing.
It was NOT Music. It was noise...louder than hell!
The Grandstand...needs upgrading.
The Fairgrounds are Grim. The new building is a start.
Perhaps, the buildings could be moved to elsewhere on the grounds...with maybe a couple of them in the livestock area.
But, as they are...they are grim.
Now, with all that I have said, I will probably be gone from Emporia in a couple of years, and likely never return---especially, if the Quansetts "win out"!
October 18, 2010 at 11:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
My dogs do like the stones. We have actually walked around them on a few occasion. They like to flush the numerous rabbits that call stonehenge home......and to make sure the stones are well watered. In fact, about the only people I have ever seen up close to the stones are others with dogs doing much the same thing as mine do.
And this despite numerous signs posted on the fairgrounds telling me that domestic animals are not allowed on fairgrounds property? Imagine that....I thought that was one of the primary reasons for a fair. I guess they don't want the Quonset huts to be well watered either.
October 19, 2010 at 4:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )