I attended the River Forest trustees meeting where historic preservation was discussed, and I found that the article, “Debate over historic preservation continues in RF” [News, July 12], by Alex McLeese missed one significant point: Paul Coffey’s moving testimony of how he and his family have been harassed by fellow villagers.
Coffey is restoring the River Forest Women’s Club, and his testimony was a cautionary tale of how preserving a home can be a public affair and how fellow villagers can be malicious. I was not proud of our community after that young man finished speaking. Coffey, a resident of more than 30 years, was careful not to name names but articulated the many different ways he and his family have been harassed-such as, contacting people at his workplace and villagers visiting his home in the middle of the night.
The article, “Preservationist criticizes Women’s Club rehab group” [News, July 12], by Bill Dwyer about the preservation of the River Forest Women’s Club was equally interesting because the article names the person responsible for some of the harassment-Marty Hackl, a part-time violin instructor and a part-time construction worker and from what I can tell a historic preservation hobbyist.
Mr. Hackl’s comments do not come from a self-proclaimed “rabble-rouser” but rather from a bitter person who has lost perspective on a building. What is the point of Hackl’s complaint?
Are not the Coffeys preserving the Women’s Club? They could have torn the building down and built two houses on the property, just as others are doing in the village. The Landmark Preservation Council of Illinois is closely monitoring this preservation. Mr. Hackl should leave this to the professionals.
When are we as a community going to stand up to such bullies and say, as Joseph Welch said, “Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?”
Ann Rourke
