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Epilogue We have been deeply disheartened by the revelation of our lapses in awareness of right processes with respect to the Historic Preservation Commission. It has been an inordinate education process, and we have learned a tremendous amount in these months. Although some students of authoritative processes can learn resentfully, we have and continue to learn respectfully with our eye on doing things in the right way going forward. Our hearts have always been completely in line with the idealism of respectful ownership of this venerable home, and we have aspired to bring it to life, both in structure and in function. We wish to celebrate its history, and we wish to share it with people who may never have a chance to experience a historic home such as the Kownover Farmstead. Before we even signed the purchase documents, we had performed genealogical tracing of the Kownover family all the way back to the 1400's in the Netherlands, a documentation that will be exciting to share. Additionally, we have contacted and met with many descendants of the founding family, some of whom still live in the area, and others of whom now live internationally. In this process we came to realize that one of our long -time clients was in fact a granddaughter of one of the Kownover children born in this home. Additionally, we have given tours of the home with other descendants, and have provided home updates to Willem Van Kouwenhoven, the self - professed family archivist, who lives* in the Netherlands and was instrumental in providing much of the information that was used in the historic registry process of this home. Karen and I have been humbled and pleased to have the support of the Kownover family in our efforts to preserve and celebrate the home and its history. Prior to the heavy and emotionally burdensome work in this process, our main focus was to have a Kownover family reunion of sorts this summer, inviting former owners of the home as well. If paper could shed tears, the emotional impact of this process on Karen and me that are now laid out in the words and testament here, would cause this document to do so. We deeply and profoundly apologize for our lapses, yet pledge our commitment to this home, to the Historic Preservation Commission, to our neighbors, to the Kownover family and heritage, and to the Farmstead guests past and future. Without asking, we have been receiving letters, testimonials and offers of in- person support and speaking on our behalf. I believe in this process and in the possibility that even this kind of situation can work out with cool heads, understanding and commitment in going forward with new awareness. We appreciate this opportunity to learn and to improve our stewardship of this beautiful home. And to those who may sadly feel otherwise about our intent and defend the heritage and tradition of this home, I simply believe they are friends and partners we simply haven't yet met! Very sincerely, David and Karen Visser * Willem Van Kouwenhoven passed away unexpectedly on 3131117. We exchanged several emails during our time owning this home. My last message to him, updating him on improvements we had made, was sent to him in January 2017(prior to violation notice). His comments about our improvements are in the attached email.