"I Said It My Way"--It's time to foreclose on Oneota Historic Future Alliance

decorahnews.com file photo

(decorahnews.com's Paul Scott is resurrecting his "I Said It My Way" comments for just this week).

This isn't my idea.  But I think it's an idea that deserves public discussion. 

The time has come for the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors to bring foreclosure proceedings against the Oneota Historic Future Alliance in an attempt to get the organization to turn over ownership of the remaining materials from the East Side School as full payment for the money the organization owes to county taxpayers.

To refresh your memory, OHFA was active in the effort to save the Caretaker's House on county-owned land at Wellington Place.  County supervisors gave OHFA more than three years to get the building on the National Register of Historic Places and to preserve the building by finding someone who wanted to rent it.  OHFA failed on both counts.  That meant the penalty clause of the agreement with Winneshiek County went into effect: that OHFA needed to pay the slightly more than $12,000 cost of demolishing the building.  OHFA told the county board it had just $2,000 in its checking account--and has owed around $10,000 ever since.  When county supervisors recently pressured the group to pay off the remaining $10,000, OHFA said it would continue to sell bricks from the East Side School as a way to raise money.

Quick now—how long ago was East Side School demolished?  The correct answer is "75 months ago—or 6.25 years ago."  During that time, as decorahnews.com previously reported, OHFA has said it has lost money on the sale of East Side bricks and material.  So if the first 6 years of selling materials hasn't produced any money (and even lost money), why should the next six years produce any money?

It's not that Winneshiek County could expect to raise $10,000 from the sale of East Side bricks and materials.  But it could raise something—which is better than what it's getting paid now.  By holding one gigantic one-day auction, Winneshiek County could take whatever money people are willing to pay for the materials—and close the book on the Caretaker's House demolition.

Here's the interesting thing about this idea—I could argue that selling off all the remaining East Side materials in a one day auction would be BETTER for historic preservation, too.  What is being accomplished by continuing to store such materials?  Certainly the materials will continue to deteriorate in quality if they remain left outside.  By holding a one-day auction, these materials will find new homes all across Winneshiek County—and maybe further.  Even if someone doesn't immediately use the materials, it would be their responsibility to store them—not OHFA's.  Just how long will these materials sit around?  Wouldn't it be far better to make sure they all got new homes—immediately?

Finally, it's important to emphasize that the $10,000 still owed to Winneshiek County by OHFA represents taxpayer money.  Are you willing to continue to wait while more promises are made about repayment—but no repayment is made?  Or would 20 cents on the dollar—or whatever figure—still be better than not getting repaid?

If the Oneota Historic Future Alliance has the interests of county taxpayers at heart, it will agree to transfer ownership of the remaining East Side School materials to Winneshiek County.  If it won't, it's time to start foreclosure proceedings against the organization to force it to turn over the materials.

(Paul Scott has been wrong before, so this wouldn't be the first time.  But he's always willing to hear you comments.  E-mail news@decorahnews.com)