Watercooler: Evansville Mayoral Race: Mike Anderson calls for change in Historic Preservation Policy and Procedure

(Ed note. I have a short summary of the meeting on Monday night at Mike Anderson's home. No newspaper was present although the blogger community was well represented. My summary can be added to on the comment line from those who attended. Mr. Anderson does not know The Observer. The ideas he presented are his.)


The Open House at the home of Mike Anderson lasted about an hour and a half. Almost an hour of this was a long and detailed listing of what is wrong with the Historic Preservation Policy and procedure in Evansville. The ordinance.....flawed. The enforcement inconsistent. The rich lawyered folks can beat the system and do anything, and the regular folks who want to repair and restore their homes are driven nuts by the procedures.

Over the last three days of pondering this meeting, I have had to admit that unless one lives in the historic district and has attempted to do some repairs, it is hard to fathom everything he discussed. He went over minute detail on windows, walls, porches..etc...and why in the end the effort for Historic Preservation has been poorly done here in Evansville and can be done better. He has specific ideas about what could change for the better.

What he did NOT do: Mike did NOT blame any specific city official and DID NOT blame the building inspector. He made that clear. He said the ordinance is confusing and it is not their fault.

One of the mayoral candidates has served on the historic preservation committee. Mike clearly does not view that service as effective. In short, there is an issue here. I hope the meeting at the Bauer Haus is an opportunity for Mike Anderson to talk about the issue further.

So....The WATERCOOLER....Any mayoral candidates that want to weigh in on this....Is the historical preservation policy and procedure flawed as Mike Anderson described in his meeting? How would you approach improving it in your term as mayor.

If you are a citizen and have had experience with renovation, your voice would be appreciated.

As a city official---Mr. Anderson did not blame you. At Ease.

The comment line is open. You make the call.