Consider offer by Craftsmen Group

Editor:

Almost two years ago, the Craftsmen Group (which does high quality woodwork and restorations for historic buildings) made a written offer to buy the Criglersville Elementary School property. Unfortunately, its offer was completely ignored. No public hearing was conducted. For some hard-to-understand reason, the public continues to be told (even as recently as the latest Eagle story) that the only offer the county ever received was a $100,000 one from a church.

I’m not sure why the Craftsmen Group’s offer was ignored in the past, but it sure shouldn’t be ignored any longer, especially now that the county has had a Realtor list the property for sale and no one else showed any interest in purchasing it at any price.

The good news is that the Craftsmen Group is still willing and able to buy the Criglersville property. It has again sent the county’s Lisa Robertson and every supervisor a formal, written offer.

Once again, it is offering to pay $167,000 for the property. And once again, its offer includes letting the public continue to use the property for voting and letting Madison families use the playground equipment, the soccer fields and the parking areas.

Its offer makes clear that it is willing to be a good neighbor and supportive of the community.

Now that the property has been actively marketed with zero response, it’s clear that the Craftsmen Group is willing to pay far more for the property than anyone else. If its offer is accepted, it will pay $167,000 of money we wouldn’t otherwise have — and it will renovate the deteriorating school building and other structures at its own cost. Equally important, it will pay property taxes to Madison for years to come, offer the community some very desirable use of the property and even look for opportunities to hire some local people. Its quality restoration work is certainly in line with Madison values.

We can pay tax dollars to maintain the deteriorating school building and other structures for years to come — and have a property that generates no property tax, only costs. Or, we can pay tax dollars to knock the school building down (a significant cost because of its asbestos) and then pay tax dollars to haul it away. And then pay tax dollars every year to maintain the other structures and the 4.7 acres. And wee’ll still have a property that generates no property tax, only costs.

It’s time to seriously consider the Craftsmen Group’s offer and schedule a public hearing.

Jeanna Beker
Haywood