You can find The Examiner at most stores in Beaumont. We have racks at MArket Basket, Wal Mart and just about every other place in town. I think you will like the article when it comes out on Friday. Be sure that you read my editorial also. I will continue to monitor BISD as I have for the past 15 years. If there is anything that I can do for you please let me know.

 

Jerry Jordan

 

---------- original message -----------

From: "Sherry" <lumoto1@gmail.com>

Jerry, as you can see, I just got this request forwarded to me today.  Lou 
Buxton called me yesterday, leaving a message.  I got in about 6:30 and was 
able to return her call last evening at which time she told me you had 
contacted her yesterday.  I say "you," she said the "Examiner."  I hope she 
gave you enough response to help you with what you were needing.
Beth Gallaspy at the Enterprise had called me for my response to the report 
by 3DI and the other company who 3DI commissioned for the 2nd opinion.  Here are a few of the points I made to her.  I found it interesting -- i.e., 
disappointing yet revealing -- when the article was published that the only 
comment she quoted me on was a benign remark about other landmark buildings in other parts of the country have survived and the lack of sturdiness of cheaper building materials.

These are not in order of importance but what I remember of the 
conversation.  You are welcome to my responses, as well, though I suppose 
not timely for you.

My website for South Park is http://lumoto.com/southpark if you want to 
take a look.  I'm certainly no web designer, but I do have letters to 
officials from myself, as well as some others, along with pictures I've 
taken both inside and outside and some historical info and a few other 
things.

Thanks for your interest.  Can you tell me WHERE I can get an Examiner???
 Sherry Moyer Sharp
 409/842-1323
 
At the time Beth called me, I had not seen the report or heard the results. 
She only told me that the bottom line was that it would cost "significantly" 
more to renovate rather than to rebuild.  Here is a thumbnail of a few 
comments I made, and certainly not the extent of my opinions about this 
whole situation:

1. what is "significant".  "Significant" is relative.  With half a billion 
dollar bond, maybe we can deal with "significant."   And also, made the 
point that no doubt it would be cheaper because they would use poor quality 
materials to build new, cheap tin can, compared to strong concrete structure 
that is there now.  Structure now will withstand storms and would serve a 
shelter if needed.

 2. accountability -- roof was redone, why hasn't it been maintained? We 
entrusted them with our tax dollars to maintain our buildings.  It lasted 80 
however many years and now this generation it needs to be town down???

 3.  Have letter of eligibility for National Registry with Historical, which 
if so designated will make the structure eligible for grants, loans, 
whatever.  Waiting for forms from Austin for Landmark designation that would 
create more grants, loans, etc.

 4.  Most, of many many people in the community say they want the building as 
it is and their kids not bussed.  Cannot count 10 people who said they 
wanted a new structure instead.

 5.  Don't know about who gave the report. First report was quoting windows 
being torn out of walls that didn't exist and tons of other "errors."  Maybe 
somebody else would see it differently.  (postscript  Who wrote the report, 
as it turns out, was commissioned by 3DI.  Isn't that convenient??? We 
definitely need independent engineering opinions!

 6.  Said she can get history of Lamar on the Internet, I have pictures, from 
20s, 30s - the school was here during the war, during the Depression. 
Nobody probably alive today who can remember when it wasn't here.

 7.  Also I mentioned the ill-will between the old SPISD and BISD and the 
anger and resentment still alive today and that this will only intensify if 
BISD forges ahead with destruction of the school, whether literally or 
esthetically by not maintaining historical integrity.
 
-------- original message --------
>      From: MiriamDnls@aol.com
>      Date: 07/04/07 07:34:26
>      To: lumoto1@gmail.com
>      Subject: Fwd: Comments for article on South Park

 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jerry Jordan" <jerry@theexaminer.com>
> To: <NannaDDD@aol.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2007 2:50 PM
> Subject: Comments for article on South Park
>
>
>>I am on deadline for today, WEDNESDAY, July 3, and need comments about the
>> 3DI study that states it would be cheaper to demolish South Park than it
>> would to refurbish the campus. Please call or have someone call me ASAP.
>>
>>
>> Thank you,
>>
>> Jerry Jordan
>> News Editor
>> The Examiner Newspaper
>> 409-498-1074 cell
>> 409-832-1400 office