HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/7/2020 Item 08, Krieger
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Daniel Krieger <
To:E-mail Council Website
Cc:sfinucane@thetribunenews.com; 'Tarica, Joe'; slinn@thetribunenews.com;
janhmarx@gmail.com; john@johnashbaugh.com; 'James Papp'; eva@historicities.com;
jimandre@aol.com; 'Daniel Krieger'; 'Izzy Nino de Rivera'
Subject:The issue of advisory independence and SLOCC Agenda Item #8: The consideration
of removal of James Papp from the Cultural Heritage Committee
Dear San Luis Obispo City Council,
As a cofounder of the movement that led to the Cultural Heritage Ordinance and member and past chair of
the Committee, I feel obliged to comment on the proposed removal of James Paap as both chair and member
of the CHC.
I cannot think of a more qualified member of the CHC, where expertise is vital. I have served on a committee
with James and know firsthand that he can be blunt. But he is invariably spot on in his judgments. Like most
scholars, he states his arguments forcefully. I’ve carefully reviewed the record of his comments and find
nothing stronger than what would be said or written in the proceedings of the more than a dozen professional
societies with which I’ve been affiliated in my more than fifty years as a university teacher.
I have spoken with him about the history, intent and focus of the original CHC and have been impressed with
the amount of homework he is mastered. Few have the mastery of both architectural history and the specific
histories of our region that he possesses. James has the humility to say when he is not certain and the desire
to seek out and research the best data available. Above all, he is a person of absolute integrity.
It is that latter quality that bears on the issue at hand. James strongly opposed a proposed development on
the site of the Johnson Block. Our original committee regarded the Johnson Block, which was at the time still
partially covered with 1950's plaster, as central to the commercial axis of San Luis Obispo since the time of its
construction. There is nothing in James' critique of the proposal that I can disagree with.
Removing him following his informed and honest critique and whatever earlier incidents that might be cited
would be ill advised. My mentor and friend since the mid-1970's, the late Peter Andre, who was once City
Attorney and a strong force in the creation of Mission Plaza, told me the key to political failure in our city was
“the appearance of malfeasance.” I hope you will take this advice in the spirit in which I offer it.
Very truly,
DanK
Dan Krieger
Professor Emeritus
Cal Poly State University
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
Past President, California Missions Foundation
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