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Concession is Rx for change at LaGrange It is always difficult to establish a reasonable dialogue between two sides when one is approaching an issue through emotion and the other through pragmatism. Generally there is little room for concession or debate since the concerns of each have little in common. That is exactly the scenario we are facing with the proposal to renovate LaGrange Inn and put up a Walgreen's Pharmacy on the site. Yet, reason and emotion must blend if a resolution is to be found. There are a few facts that the large number of opponents have to face with regard to this project. First, the property is privately owned and zoned for the project. Second, maintaining the building for a restaurant and catering hall is not financially viable. Third, the proposal by Walgreen's includes a $1.5 million plan to renovate and preserve a building they would have every right to otherwise demolish. Walgreen's made a calculated error in not initially reaching out to the community for input before unveiling its plan. Second, the proposal to put up a "typical" Walgreen's building on the site lacked creativity and recognition of the emotion the site generates within the community. Some have called upon the county to buy the land. This could result in its being preserved in its entirety, but it would also take it off the tax rolls and cost the county millions to buy and restore.
We believe that a compromise by both sides is the best way to go. Like it or not, things are going to change there. It is simply a question of how and when.
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