HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/7/2020 Item 08, Baer
Clerk, Intern
From:Sandy Baer <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Dr. James Papp
City Council Members:
I am writing you in support of Dr. James Papp and his position as chair of the city’s Cultural Heritage
Committee (CHC). I find it appalling that any advisory committee/commission member can be removed from
their volunteer position as a result of political pressure. I realize that you cite as due cause James’ sometimes
off-putting demeanor but even though I have been affronted on occasion, I still hold his intelligence, due
diligence and passion for historical preservation in my highest regard. With a ten-year tenure on the CHC (as
well eight years on the PCC, two as chair), I believe that community input and transparency are paramount to
politics. Advisory body members should be able to act independently and base their decisions on facts. It is my
opinion that no one understands and communicates the facts of historical preservation (federal, state & local
guidelines/regulations) better than James. His removal from the CHC would be a severe loss for the CHC as
well as for our community. Advisory bodies are an essential mechanism in the decision-making process. The
city is finding it more and more difficult to recruit city residents to lend their expertise to the bodies so why
would you remove a member who has so tirelessly given his all. I recognize his “style of communication” may
not always be well received but his core contributions to historical preservation are to be commended not
commandeered.
Sandy Baer
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