For a number of years, there have been plans to build a new Town Hall. The current Town Hall is too small for the town's professional staff. Because it was built in the 1950's, the Town Hall is not compliant to today's construction code requirements (electrical, earthquake resistance, plumbing, access for disabled citizens, etc.). Bringing the old buildings up to code in a remodel would be very expensive, essentially costing more than new construction. With this as a background, the Finance Committee in 1998 recommended that the Council begin planning for the replacement of our Town Hall.

In 1998, the City Manager estimated that a 5,000 sq.ft. Town Hall could be built for $1.5 - $2.5M. Following the Finance Committee's recommendation, the Council earmarked $750,000 for this project, with the remaining monies to be raised or allocated after a design was accomplished. This amount could be raised without undue strain on the town's financial reserves, and without bonds or new taxes.

The Casey Council decided that a "statement" Town Hall is needed and proceeded with the design of a 7,100 sq.ft. Mission Style Town Hall costing an estimated $4.9M. To date, $600,000 has been expended on architect's fees alone. The Council plans to raise $1.4M in citizen contributions, and pay the remainder out of the town's reserves. This does place a serious strain on the town's reserves and leaves the town at risk against unplanned emergencies (storm-caused road and bridge washouts, earthquake damage, etc.).

A citizens group called LAH Watchdog believes that the Council proposed Town Hall is not in keeping with the town character, is too expensive, and violates the town height limit code. They have produced an alternate design that is rural in character and should cost about $2.5M. Both designs are the same size of 7,100 sq. ft. The LAH Watchdog design for the alternative Town Hall was, incidentally, done by Liz Duveneck Dana. The City Council has refused to consider this alternate. The result is a highly contentious situation with the citizen's group considering forcing a referendum and/or a recall election.

The new Town Hall design issue is a classic example of the Casey Council's gross failure to listen to, and work with, citizen groups who have ideas to offer. Compromise and cooperation produce a united community. Arrogance and self-interest produce contention. What have you seen recently?

Two City Council candidates, Breene Kerr and Dean Warshawsky, are committed to listen to the citizen's ideas on Town Hall and include the best of both plans in the final design. The two LAH Civic Association candidates can be expected to continue following the present expensive Council plan. As a matter of fact, as members of the Planning Commission both Vitu and Kerns voted for the Casey Council version of Town Hall. The non-aligned candidate is also for a less expensive Town Hall.