To the editor:

In response to Eric Meyer’s caustic commentary about the County Commission’s handling of the Bowron Building I would like to offer the following comments:

The budget money has not been removed that could be used to repair the building. There was money in the Health Department’s budget under Capital Outlay for building repair. However, the money in this line item is also used for such things as computers, vehicles, furniture etc. Some of this money was transferred to another Capital Outlay line item for a building. The money is still there and additional funds have been budgeted for 2012.

In 2012 there will be over $250,000 in this line item. Your contention that this money was removed to spend elsewhere is wrong.

I never did the math to determine how many people could stand in the allotted floor space because we have no intention of using the building to park people. The County has a severe shortage of office space, meeting rooms, as well as storage space. If you would care to contact me I would be glad to walk you through County spaces and demonstrate our need to you. Your contention we do not need the space is wrong.

You seem to have an issue with hiring a consultant. The Commission thought it prudent to explore both options (repair Bowron Building or build a new building). The Bowron building has structural issues — it’s not a matter of just installing drywall, floor covering, and painting. We are using the consultant to give us the potential cost of each solution to facilitate making a decision. If you think this is a waste of money so be it, everyone is entitled to an opinion. However, in my view your opinion is uninformed and wrong.

Just to set the record straight, the County had nothing to do with the demise of the old creamery.

A Thomas Jefferson quote came to mind after reading your commentary:

“A person who reads nothing at all is better educated than one who reads nothing but newspapers”

Daniel Holub

Marion County Commissioner