Editor,
The recent brouhaha about the historic district is disturbing. Wilson said, “If you ride through, you’d ask, ‘What is historical about this, it’s nothing but a bunch of run down houses.’ There is no historic district in Seneca, South Carolina.â€
This statement clarifies Wilson’s view point of our town. Do we really want someone with such a narrow perspective and lack of vision to dictate what should go on here. To allow a builder to arbitrarily do as he pleases is ridiculous. I’m sure it warmed the hearts of the individuals who reside here that 80 percent of the homes, according to Wilson, are dilapidated or in need of repair. Many residents Wilson dismisses spent years lovingly restoring their homes to reflect the period, style and the ambience of the neighborhood. Why does Wilson feel he is doing us a favor by building here? Why is there any dialogue with a man that simply ignored a stop work order and did not follow the guidelines? There must be other areas in the county where he can build. Covenants, restrictions and guidelines are part of the process. To disband the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) because Wilson disagrees is akin to giving a lollipop to a child throwing a temper tantrum.
Since buying in this area 2 ½ years ago many homes have and are being restored. Each to my knowledge has followed the guidelines and the historical quality and integrity of the district remains intact as a result. The BAR has no control over the interior of a house and the existing guidelines should not be a deal breaker for any professional builder.
The district attracted over 200 people to tour historic homes this past December; many came from Greenville. Tourism needs to be encouraged, Ram Cat Alley is struggling, having a historic district is good for the economy. City Council created the BAR for a reason; let the district court do what it will with Wilson and let’s move on. Positive dialogue is what is needed to attract people to our city, not constant bickering.
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Readers are solely responsible for the content of the comments they post here. Comments are subject to the site's terms and conditions of use and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or approval of Eagle Media. Readers whose comments violate the terms of use may have their comments removed or all of their content blocked from viewing by other users without notification.Why stop there, Mrs. Zungoli? Maybe the city should demand that cars parked in front of those old houses be no newer than 1950....cars fully restored to BAR standards, of course. You want the area to look old, don't you? Repeat after me, as many times as it takes to register, "It's his home, not the city's! It's his home, not the city's! It's his home......"
Isn't it strange that someone who selects a part of the US Constitution, ie. Article 1, Section 8, a foundational document of our republic, as a username, apparently can't grasp the concept that we are a community, and nation, of laws.
It really isn't his home, as in a residence, it's just a house he acquired to flip. It's just a commodity to him.
He figured the rules and regulations didn't apply to him, so he defied them. He got caught. He'll have a trial. A verdict will be rendered.
And a suggestion to Article1Section8, shorten your username to Section 8. It describes you better.
PalmettoYankee? That is an oxy-moron.....so maybe you should shorten yours to just Yankee....seems to suit you better!
palmettoyankee, I chose article1section8 as a constant reminder that government should be limited to a defined list of essentials it is allowed to provide or control. Article 1, Section 8 in the Constitution lists 19 items Congress is allowed to deal with, and stops there. While that section limits our federal government, not city government, the concept is the same. Government at all levels should provide, regulate, etc as necessary, and not control roof lines, stone facades, or siding on private property, whether that private property is the owner's home or the "commodity" you mentioned. It's HIS. It's HIS!!!!
By the way, grown-ups discuss without name calling and insult. Point made?
article1section8....it's their attitude, it's their attitude. Note that palmettoyankee can't discuss anything without that attitude coming to the front.
Mrs. Zungoli & palmettoyankee... when your name is on the deed of Mr. Wilson's property and you pay the property taxes on it, then you have a right to some say-so. But until then, this is "HIS HOME". He clearly paid for this property and what he does or doesn't do to it is really none of your concern. Therefore he has the right to have a say-so...you have nooo idea how much money he has put back into this community. And if you are so concerned about the so-called "Historic District" then why haven't you purchased these ran down, crack houses and restored them yourselves?? Why kick someone for doing something good, when you are not willing to pay for the repairs out of your own pockets??? Atleast now it will make someone a very nice home, where before it was not suitable for rats to live in...So until you have walked a mile in his shoes, don't complain.
palmettoyankee, we are a nation of law, the law of the Constitution. Our Constitution is what has made this a great country, even with assaults against it by people like your self. Your kind of law is a first cousin to a law that allowed black people to be held as slaves. slavery was established in law, but it was not Constitutional. i suggest you read the Constitution and pay close attention to what it really says, had you done so before now, you may not of had to relocate to the south, away from the yankee hellholes that people of your kind have created. i just pray to God that you don't do the same thing here.
I agree that any additional people visiting the downtown area is a plus, but how many people will want to visit the downtown area if it continues to have a large number of rundown vacant properties?
Further, six other homes on the same block and within the boundries of the historic district have vinyl siding. Sounds like selective enforcement of unrealistic guidelines if you ask me.
People, give me a break! Society must have rules, it's how the world works. They are not going away, so embrace them. Learn to live with and by them.
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