School buildings with character can never be replaced

To the Editor:

I own a home in downtown Libby, and am new to the area, so I am not real versed on what has been happening in town too much. But, one thing I can say is, one of the first big things I noticed when I pulled into downtown was the old High School building.

I was so impressed with the fact that it was still there, and felt that it was a good thing to see. Now, in reading about how it is to be demolished, I am very saddened. I saw the exact same type of activity in northern Minnesota where I came from, and it is one of the reasons why I left my town.

The powers that be at the moment make decisions for everyone that are irreversible and permanent, and they aren't always the right ones. I am having a very hard time understanding how the school board can decide to tear down a building when there is such a group of dedicated people to take care of it. Don't they see how it will change the atmosphere of downtown by doing so? Once it is down, it is gone forever.

In Grand Rapids, Minn., the exact same scenario happened in the downtown area with the old Central School. That building was to be torn down by the powers that be, but it was fought for tooth and nail and saved. Now the building is one of the town's biggest assets for tourism, without it Grand Rapids would be just another highway/strip mall town with a lot less charm and history.

Another building there with as much character as the school was not saved from the wrecking ball, and now there is a big dirt lot of no use where a very historical beautiful building used to be that could have been a great asset to the town. The same scenario as this. I vote to keep the school, it can never be replaced, but it can be a big asset to Libby in the future.

Kathy Horn