Why do the powers that be insist that this eyesore — the Footer Dye Works — should be a landmark?
Believe me, when passing motorists on Interstate 68 see that hulking slum right next to the Interstate, their first thoughts are not “How quaint” or “I bet that place is historic.”
It looks exactly like what it is: a boarded up abandoned building that doesn’t look to be structurally sound. Cumberland is a railroad town. Transients have hopped trains and rode the rails pretty much since the beginning of the railroad era.
So a big broken-down building right beside the interstate and near the tracks probably seems pretty appealing to them.
People wonder why the shops at Canal Place are failing. Seems pretty obvious. Tear down the eyesore and perhaps some revitalization might actually occur. People wonder why Perkins restaurant pulled out.
Although I certainly don’t have all the facts, I do know I wouldn’t locate a business next to an abandoned, boarded-up building that might contain any multitude of unknown dangers.
If the building is removed, I severely doubt it will leave a gaping hole in Cumberland’s illustrious history. There’s tons of American history right here in our town. Believe me, the town will survive without the esteemed Footer Dye Works.
If the real issue is demolition I propose this: Let the citizens tear it down. Nothing relieves stress better than the simple act of dismantling something. I doubt you would have too much trouble finding people willing to come in and tear it down. Even if that location only ever becomes a dirt parking lot it will still be serving more of a purpose than it does now.
Our town has plenty of landmarks and places of historical significance. What we need is to revitalize what we have now. We don’t need to put a fresh coat of paint on old reminders of what used to be.
Jeff Purbaugh
Cumberland
Letters
Cumberland has lots of history; it doesn’t need an eyesore
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Stop buying licenses; let them find the money somewhere else
A few months ago, I received two cards from the National Rifle Association. These were dealing with a legislative alert.
They asked that I should contact Sen. George Edwards and Delegate Kevin Kelly concerning the anti-gun legislation. -
Strength of gun laws is not reflected in grisly statistics
According to the FBI’s uniform crime reports, California had the highest number of gun murders in 2011 with 1,220, which makes up 68 percent of all murders in the state that year and equates to 3.25 murders per 100,000 people.
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‘Forgotten warrior’ not forgotten
The Korean War is often called “The Forgotten War.” My generation remembers the Battle for LZ X-Ray at Ia Drang, The Tet Offensive, and Khe Sahn of the Vietnam War.
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Organization needed to help utilize the Potomac River
I am a committee remember on the Tamiami Trail Scenic Highway which stretches from Palmetto to Venice, Fla.
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Reducing meat consumption can help ease climate change
A review of 12,000 papers on climate change, in the May 15 issue of “Environmental Research Letters,” found that 97 percent of scientists attribute climate change to human activities.
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Maryland has stopped being “The Free State”
I am a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and, last but not least, the National Rifle Association. I am a yearly member of the American Legion.
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Save the Bridge Program
Please do not close the Frostburg United Methodist Church Bridge Program. The community and many families need this program. Let me enlighten you about a few things.
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Town of Westernport needs a police force and a curfew
Since the consolidation of Bruce and Valley high schools the town of Westernport rapidly deteriorated from what was once a quite respectable community to a community in a decline in residents, and along with that came a collapse in local government due to lack of knowledge and bad decisions that set the town of Westernport back 60 years.
One bad decision was to give up their police force, and with no constant visual law enforcement it has created an open range for drug dealerss, addicts, thieves, drunks and speeding vehicles that choose to ignore our city laws and speed limits and have totally disregard for the safety of the citizens who are on the streets, especially the children who are like deer, you don’t see them until their in front of you. -
Financial gutting will damage school system
I am writing in response to the Allegany County Commissioners’ efforts to cut local education spending to the lowest possible level allowed under state law.
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Cemetery organization plans events to mark Memorial Day
This upcoming Memorial Day marks the 30th anniversary of the Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization (CHCO).
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Stop buying licenses; let them find the money somewhere else
