August 9, 2011 Hon. Gene Robinson, Mayor Members of City Council City of Anniston 1128 Gurnee Avenue Anniston, Alabama 36201 Gentlemen, It has come to my attention that some members of City Council have expressed concern over remarks, which I made, during a presentation to the Anniston Rotary on July 26. First, let me clarify what I actually said, as it was (at least in my mind and intent) quite different in tone and content than was reported in the Anniston Star. Much of the presentation was centered on observations and experiences gathered during my thirty years in the preservation field regarding the use of historic preservation as an economic development tool. Toward the end of the presentation, these observations were related to observations about historic preservation in Anniston, such as the many assets the city possesses on which to base a successful revitalization program. The following points were made. Anniston was founded by visionary leaders who brought the best planners and architects available at the time to help them build the Model City of the New South. They succeeded. They accomplished what Joe Riley would do many years later – they set a high standard and made sure that folks met it and the results were financially successful. Unfortunately, we seem to be stuck in a vacuum of vision and leadership that has failed to build a broad community consensus on a plan for moving forward. My planner friends like to say “those who fail to plan, plan to fail.” The last statement was not meant to lay blame in any direction, but rather to challenge us all to envision what the future could be. In my experience, vision and leadership can originate from local government, from the local business community, or even a nonprofit, but ultimately, it is the responsibility of the entire community to tie the preservation of its historic resources to economic development. My remarks were not intended to single out city council’s or any one else’s efforts. Instead, they were intended to challenges us all to take on what might seem to be an herculean task, but one, that if successful, will bring economic growth to our community. Perhaps I missed it, but I know of no broad community consensus on a plan for moving Anniston forward, yet I remain hopeful that such a consensus can be found. In my professional career, I have many opportunities to provide pro bono services or to serve as a volunteer. Within the past twelve years, I freely donated time to promote the interests of this city, such as serving as the chair of Spirit of Anniston’s façade grant committee. Much, if not all of this volunteer work, has been personally and professionally satisfying including pro bono hours donated for the in-kind match for a grant expanding the
Hon. Gene Robinson, Mayor Members of City Council August 9, 2011 Page 2 Downtown Anniston Historic District, completing a reconnaissance level historic resource survey of much of the city to assist with the CDBG process, and reviewing many CDBG requests for demolition and/or rehabilitation. I have served as the vice chair of the City of Anniston Historic Preservation Commission during most of my tenure on that commission, which began in 2002. It has always been my intent to work within the system to try to accomplish the important work of the historic preservation commission because it is vital to the city’s long-term vitality. Given, however, the controversy that has arisen from my reported remarks in the Anniston Star, my role with the Historic Preservation Commission has become controversial when, in fact, the work of the commission needs critical public support. I am, therefore, tendering my resignation to the City of Anniston Historic Preservation Commission effective immediately. I do so after careful thought and in the belief that I can better serve the preservation effort in our community as a private citizen and advocate within the community as a whole. Sincerely,
David Schneider cc:
Joan McKinney David Christian Anniston Star