Jay Myers Sets The Record Straight

With hopes that the A. N. Myers Home would be restored on its original location as a contributing structure in Ashland's only National Registered Historic District and as an asset to the Ashland County Historical Society's existing campus, the Center Street Historic District Association filed for an injunction last week to prevent the home's demolition.

Saturday, November 04, 2006, Rodney Mohr, president of the Association received a letter from Jay Myers of Simonson Construction. The letter states he walked through the A.N. Myers home at 408 Center Street on March 7, 2006. Afterward, Tina Carpenter, Director of Operations of the Society, and John Sidle, Associate of the Society, spoke to Mr. Myers about the cost involved in restoring the home. Mr. Myers asked Ms. Carpenter and Mr. Sidle if they were willing to spend $500,000 to $700,000.

In the demolition application prepared by Tina Carpenter and the Ashland County Historical Society for the A.N. Myers home, Ms. Carpenter clearly states that restoration would cost "in excess of a million dollars". The only construction firm mentioned in the application is Simonson Construction. While the Society plans to be "fiscally responsible", the cost of restoration in their application is not consistent with Mr. Myers' verbal estimate as stated in his letter.

The following article was in the Ashland Times Gazette a week and a half ago

Historic District files new complaint --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With the voluntary dismissal of a complaint filed on behalf of the Center Street Historic District Association against the Ashland County Historical Society last month, the city was added as a defendant and six Center Street residents as plaintiffs in a new complaint filed in Common Pleas Court Wednesday.

Common Pleas Judge Deborah Woodward Wednesday also withdrew from the case stating she was a paying member of the historical society, according to court records.

The society in July had applied for and was denied by the city's Historic Preservation Board demolition of the A.N. Myers home with plans to build new. According to the preservation board's ordinance, at the end of a 60-day period following such a decision, an extension agreed upon by the city and the society could be made, any public or private body could make a bona fide purchase or lease offer for the structure, "or the application for the demolition or moving shall be approved by the board."

The association made an $85,000 bid to the society before the 60 days were up, and a counteroffer was made by the society to sell the home to the association for $1, with the condition it would then be moved.

The association then filed the original complaint asking for a permanent injunction barring the society from demolishing its A.N. Myers home and that a demolition permit granted by the city to the society be declared void. The association's attorney, John Good, then said the city's permit was not valid, alleging it could only be lawfully granted by the preservation board.

In late November, the society then filed a motion to dismiss the complaint, alleging the association was not recognized as a legal entity with the state and therefore could not enter into contracts. It also said that the city, which granted the demolition permit, should be included.

The complaint filed Wednesday also asked that the demolition permit issued by the city be declared void and for a permanent injunction.

"We're just trying to clean it up, which is a common thing to do, so we get a hearing on the merit," Good said.

The complaint alleges points including that the association made a bona fide offer on the home, the society failed to respond to it in good faith and that the city "illegally and in violation of its own ordinances" issued a permit for the home despite the bona fide offer and preservation board denial.

City Council President Glen Stewart acknowledged he received a copy of the complaint Thursday. City Law Director Rick Wolfe, who will represent the city, could not be reached for comment. Attorney Ronald Forsthoefel, representing the historical society, also could not be reached for comment Thursday.

This article was in the Ashland Times Gazette last week and speaks for itself.

Siding removal sparks more controversy/County Historical Society attorney says covering was coming off anyway By DARCIE LORENOT-G Staff Writer --------------------------------------------------------------------------------After workers began tearing down aluminum siding on the A.N. Myers home Tuesday, the Ashland County Historical Society was served a temporary restraining order.Attorney John Good, representing Center Street Historic District Association members and who requested the order, was worried the society was beginning demolition. The society's attorney said Wednesday it all came down to the price of aluminum, and the fact the siding will have to come down one way or another. "The siding is going to have to come off whether the building is renovated or demolished," said the society's attorney, Ronald Forsthoefel. "Prices (for aluminum) are high so (the society) thought they'd take advantage of that."But Good said the work shows an obvious intent."It should show the whole community the historical society never had any intention of saving that house," Good said. "If they cared about that house, they wouldn't be stripping the siding off in December."The restraining order is the latest volley in a controversy among the society, the association and Center Street residents after the society in July applied for and was denied by the Historic Preservation Board permission to demolish the home and build a new one.Since, the association and its members have filed a complaint requesting a demolition permit issued by the city be declared void and for a permanent injunction barring the home's demolition. According to Good, a crew began tearing siding off the 408 Center St. home - which revealed windows and older siding underneath - and disconnected power lines Tuesday morning. He then filed an emergency request for a temporary restraining order, which was granted by Wayne County Judge Mark Wiest, who will likely hear the case. Common Pleas Judge Deborah Woodward previously recused herself due to society membership.The restraining order instructs the society not to further damage, materially alter or destroy the home. The society Oct. 3 was granted by the city its demolition permit. Permits expire after 90 days. The association's complaint was filed last week after an original complaint was voluntarily dismissed. Six association members were added as plaintiffs: Rodney Mohr, association president; Anne and Severn Green; Beth Anne Buchanan and her husband and former preservation board member, James; and Kyle Von Kamp, association secretary.The complaint names both the society and the city and alleges the only entity that could approve the demolition permit is the preservation board.As far as whether the siding removal was the beginning of demolition, Forsthoefel repeated it would have been removed eventually."They were taking the aluminum siding off because prices were high for recycling the material," he said. "Either way, it needed to come off."n Darcie Loreno can be reached at 419-281-0581 ext. 237 or at dloreno@times-gazette.com.

A public hearing has been set for January 16, 2007 on the second floor of the Ashland County Courthouse.

Congratulations to the Ashland County Historical Society for their perseverance. Though it may have seemed like an eternity, you got through it. It's funny how the historic district can get all worked up into a tizzy, but when offered the opportunity to buy the A.N. Myers home for $1.00 and give them the freedom of restoring it to their specifications, they don't want it. I guess it's easier to tell "you" how you're going to spend "your" money. I don't understand what all the moaning and groaning was all about. Maybe the price should have been lowered to $0.50? Yes, this would have been a horrible pity, had this house truly been as grand as it has been made out to be. Unfortunately, that was not the case. As far as "Save Old Ashland" goes, I think the museum is doing a fine job at saving old Ashland everyday; all you have to do is walk through the doors and witness Ashland's history room-to-room, wall-to-wall. Once again...congratulations!

Isn't it sad that the Ashland County Historical Society doesn't recognize the significance of a house listed as a contributing structure to a district on the National Register of Historic Places. Yes, they got what they asked for...they tore it down! Should this society be trusted with historical artifacts???

You missed the whole point. You can't move a house and save a district. The price was not the issue. The Historical Society should have sold it with the land if they really cared about saving history. By the way, it wasn't their money they were spending... it was our money given to them. They won't get anymore money.