Editorial

Ed. Note: This editorial ran online last week, but this week I made a few modifications to it, and since the issue bears repeating, it is running again, revised.

Problem solved

Everyone likes playing Monopoly. The thrill of land ownership, property transfers, and deals is something to get the blood up. Maybe that's why the fascination with the public paroxysm disguised as a discussion of what to do with Pennell.

The Town of Gray owns too many buildings, some of which are needed, some of which are not, and all of which need expensive upkeep, but goodness, it does not need another one. Add to that the same historical problems that most New England villages face when attempting to pick and choose between beloved and nationally registered historic edifices, while having to face a strapped electorate, and you have a pretty pickle. And everyone's got their pet idea.

Here's mine: The SAD should keep Pennell. The entire Administration should occupy the Pennell building and remove the current Central Office to solve already identified space needs issues at Russell School, now that the SAD has committed to keeping it as a community school. Renovations to Pennell can be accomplished with either state money or be absorbed in the SAD's upcoming facilities bond. Central Office can be removed and according to state law the SAD does not have to offer it to Gray because the SAD still needs the land under it for educational purposes.

It solves the Russell space needs problem and daily bus traffic problem too, something recommended in the SAD's 2000 space needs assessment report. The SAD divests itself of a building, just not the one under discussion, and it even can be sold as is and trucked away. It brings all Administrators under one roof, something the SAD has said it would like to do.

This idea restores the building and the trust is maintained because the building is used for educational purposes. It solves what Gray officials have claimed is their main concern: Pennell preservation and constant maintenance. Last but not least it gets Gray off the SAD's back.

This two-year gridlock of discussions between Gray and SAD officials about what to do with Pennell, exacerbated by an aggressive Gray Council and Manager slinging lawsuits and legal stays and calling for meeting after meeting has got to stop. It's becoming embarrassing.

What do you think?