Preserve, restore, respect

I was happy to read that the beautiful and historic 1841 Courthouse in Goshen is being reopened to alleviate overcrowding and that administrative judge Alan Scheinkman would like to see it remain open as a permanent part of the region’s judicial system.

I recall hearing that County Executive Diana was anxious to have it torn down at one point.

Fortunately, cooler heads prevented that from happening. Perhaps those cooler heads would convince him and the legislators that the Paul Rudolph building is also an historic treasure that warrants restoration and preservation.

Although the legislators had already voted to restore the Rudolf Building, they now seem to have changed their minds and are planning still another review at tax payers’ expense.

How many other reviews have been paid for over the years, and still no decision has been made?

How many thousands of dollars have been spent to put off a decision, thanks to Mr. Diana’s persistence and obstinacy?

Why don’t the legislators recognize that the Rudolph building is as much an historic gem today as the 1841 Courthouse was in its day and in fact still is?

It makes far more sense to preserve what is there and restore it without any structural changes and with respect to the architect’s intent unless alterations are required to bring the building up to current building code.

It should also have an ongoing maintenance program.

Jean Beattie May
Warwick Village Historian