I am writing in regards to The Vicksburg Post’s editorial on Dec. 10 which recommends that Mr. Rosenthal, owner of the Beck House, be granted permission to install a metal roof on his 139 year-old house, located in Vicksburg’s Historic District and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Your editorial clearly states that the metal roof requested by the owner does not meet the city’s historic preservation ordinance regulations.
Yet, the editorial states that a metal roof should be allowed because the house across the street has a metal roof — a roof that was installed illegally by an owner who did not have a permit, and who refused to abide by the ordinance.
Because the administration in office at that time did not enforce the removal of that illegally installed roof, your editorial states it is unfair to enforce the ordinance against Mr. Rosenthal.
I must ask you — when did we start operating under the premise that two wrongs make a right?
It seems to me the present city administration should be applauded for upholding and enforcing the regulations put forth in its ordinance.
Your editorial made the following excellent point: “Because one of Vicksburg’s attractions is its historic and antebellum buildings, making sure they stay true to their past is important.” You are right — it is important.
The Beck House is an architectural and historic treasure, with a significance that begs it stay true to its past. That is all Mr. Rosenthal is being asked to do. It has nothing to do with the house across the street, nor with the color of his skin.
Toni Lanford-Ferguson
Chairman, Board of
Architectural Review