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H6rORic PRtse mAnoN the talk, it's clear that this is no job. Everyone seems to use mi jargon. They talk about "early -warn- ing systems," about being "in the trenches" or on "the firing line." And no wonder. Commission mem- bers, rarely enjoy the luxury of dab- bling in preservation as a matter of theory. They deal in face-to-face nego- tiation, telling an irate developer why he can't raze a building, helping homeowners to find a paint color more suitable than the Tahiti sunset cerise they have their hearts set on. And to make matters worse, their du- ties frequently bring them into con- frontations with their neighbors. Gilbert and the other speakers can- didly list the problems and pitfalls. There is talk about lawsuits and liabil- ity. There is worry over the issue of regulation of religious property. ("It's history vs. God," says one speaker, "and who wants to choose sides?") And there's discussion of the trend to- ward designation of significant interi• ors as well as facades. Commission members are giver lots of advice. Keep good records, M are admonished. Avoid even the MW of conflict of interest. ("Don't just abstain from voting. Get up and leave the room.") Take the mayor to lunch once in a while. Reach decisions that meet the needs of the property owner. ("Don't offer Cadillac solutions to a property owner who has (Chevrolet resources.") And above all, f remember the Supreme Court says that preservation commissions are h gal and beneficial. Why would someone agree to take on such responsibilities? "I just like old buildings," they say, or "It's my duty to the community." Bernie Cal- lan says: "If we don't do a good job of conveying the values of preservation to the movers and shakers in town, it's ° 's our old buildings that wind up being moved and shaken." Bernie knows how to measure the <t;; success of a commission. "At first, you ..`y see a lot of ex -friends crossing t�le ` street to avoid you. But then one c v somebody crosses over to your side a thank you for what you're doing for the community. That's when know you've arrived." Thanks to the work of people like Frank Gilbert and Bernie Callan, there's more and more jaywalking go- ing on out there. —Dwight Young �A1l�n��!�n�lGn_2- T1A1��n�I In, t-, I�Fl ------------------------------------------------------------- II I'I' v :i ra^'.. ' arc I& 4k.gmuniftg. I; OZglazing. marbleizing. lettering-, restoratkiiv. frrseoifaux finishes, fjoomkv�l Pat historic research of finishes, colors, pattems and.�- RestoredConsultation, • • . using authentic or contemporary rnateriats� Private churches, commercial establishments, T ldings. . buiry -� of fine craftsmanship throughout the United States.0. All inquiries welcome. X11/.1�\11i�1�11/.:i�11/�i1/�I�\1�i�I� /:�I�11/��lA�i.\lliAll.:I�11/c ��NQ H6rORic PRtse mAnoN the talk, it's clear that this is no job. Everyone seems to use mi jargon. They talk about "early -warn- ing systems," about being "in the trenches" or on "the firing line." And no wonder. Commission mem- bers, rarely enjoy the luxury of dab- bling in preservation as a matter of theory. They deal in face-to-face nego- tiation, telling an irate developer why he can't raze a building, helping homeowners to find a paint color more suitable than the Tahiti sunset cerise they have their hearts set on. And to make matters worse, their du- ties frequently bring them into con- frontations with their neighbors. Gilbert and the other speakers can- didly list the problems and pitfalls. There is talk about lawsuits and liabil- ity. There is worry over the issue of regulation of religious property. ("It's history vs. God," says one speaker, "and who wants to choose sides?") And there's discussion of the trend to- ward designation of significant interi• ors as well as facades. Commission members are giver lots of advice. Keep good records, M are admonished. Avoid even the MW of conflict of interest. ("Don't just abstain from voting. Get up and leave the room.") Take the mayor to lunch once in a while. Reach decisions that meet the needs of the property owner. ("Don't offer Cadillac solutions to a property owner who has (Chevrolet resources.") And above all, f remember the Supreme Court says that preservation commissions are h gal and beneficial. Why would someone agree to take on such responsibilities? "I just like old buildings," they say, or "It's my duty to the community." Bernie Cal- lan says: "If we don't do a good job of conveying the values of preservation to the movers and shakers in town, it's ° 's our old buildings that wind up being moved and shaken." Bernie knows how to measure the <t;; success of a commission. "At first, you ..`y see a lot of ex -friends crossing t�le ` street to avoid you. But then one c v somebody crosses over to your side a thank you for what you're doing for the community. That's when know you've arrived." Thanks to the work of people like Frank Gilbert and Bernie Callan, there's more and more jaywalking go- ing on out there. —Dwight Young