If you live in the Historic District, you have surely heard about the request by a resident here to place hardy board siding on the entire exterior of her home. The Historic District Council originally turned down that request.

Not to be daunted, the resident found a lawyer, and the case recently was heard again, with the new testimony of a historic-structure expert testifying to the age and condition of the structure.

He confirmed the existing wood siding was not original anyway. So, the HDC approved the replacement.

There was a lot of talk around town about how the original ruling was unfair, and how hardy board is a fine material, etc, etc.

Well friends, I am obliged to chime in on that approval, and the tempest surrounding the debate.

First of all, I don’t really take a position concerning the use of hardy board, as it is indeed a great product, and I have used it myself many times.

In fact, with the overwhelming body of evidence supporting the use of such a product, one would be foolish to say it’s not a quality substitute.

My concern is the strength of the Historic District Council and the support it gets from us.

I think the members got far too much criticism about their first ruling.

Consider this: these folk are all unpaid volunteers. They don’t get thanked often enough for the work they put into this good task.

Secondly, they are not engineering or construction professionals. For the most part, they are just like you and me, average working folk who have a sincere interest in preserving the Historic District.

So, they had to wait for credible testimony before allowing a radical change to a historic house with a modern product.

Sometimes residents might not agree with them in their opinion about what is historic and what is not. Some even think the council makes unfair decisions. I guess this is bound to happen.

But in the long run, for the “big picture,” I like to think that we’ll end up with a Historic District that will be true to our heritage and valuable for our children.

I’d like to see the HDC receive appropriate support from the City Commission and the city attorney, too. Surprisingly enough, I might even like to see some of the guidelines even more strictly enforced (I can’t believe I said that).

Some of us might not like what the council says; even I have had my share of problems there. But we must remember: “Preservation of the past secures our future.”

So, when you see a member of the HDC, give them a hug.