With the erruption of the Fargo controversy, once again numerous letters about Aurora were published in the local newspapers.

Here are a few.

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This letter made it onto the main opinion section of the Syracuse edition, leading the column, 4/20/05

Bumper stickers shed light on unfolding Aurora story

To the Editor:

The local bumper sticker pictured on Sunday's front page - "Keep Aurora Weird" - dates from last summer. The other bumper sticker quoted incorrectly in the article - "Aurora was pleasant before" - dates from last fall.

They have little to do with the new Fargo bar controversy, and everything to do with the larger story still unfolding here, that of a tiny village fighting a single-minded multimillionaire for its own identity, autonomy and future.

The very newest bumper sticker, ignored by your reporter, offers an important lesson. It reads: "Mount Kisco was right." A few years ago, the upstate community of Mt. Kisco successfully rejected the aggressive, inappropriate and unwanted commercial development plans of dollmaker Pleasant Rowland, the current "benefactor" of Aurora.

Crawford R. Thoburn
Aurora

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Two letters in the main opinion section of the Syracuse newspaper

Rowland redefines the word philanthropist, April 23.

In his otherwise fine article on changing management at the Fargo Restaurant in Aurora (April 17)), Dave Tobin refers to Pleasant Rowland as a philanthropist. My 1940-ish Webster's New Collegiate defines philanthropy as "love for mankind; good will to all men."

Wow! The definition must have changed to "control over (wo)mankind and a tax deduction on any donation." If a tax deductible college can join in cahoots with you, so much the better.

I like the old definition better.

Shelby J. Harris , Ph.D.
Emeritus Professor of Psychology
Wells College
Aurora

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Will they pave Aurora to put up a parking lot?, April 22

Aside from the events with the Fargo restaurant, the village of Aurora residents have been placed into another dilemma pertaining to the Aurora Foundation LLC and Wells College. The developer has decided that the residents of this community must once again make a sacrifice by demolishing a building to make way for a parking lot to accommodate the LLC's employees.

The villagers did not create the parking problem, so why should we give up a useful building? Let Wells College give up some of their property for parking.

Some say that this building doesn't fit into the decor of Pleasant Rowland. So what? The community is made up of a wide variety of architecture. The village currently rents to the U.S. Postal Service, which helps to keep our taxes reasonable.

If the USPS decides to move out, shouldn't the community have the right to decide how to use this building? We need a proper office for our village clerk! The location is ideal, being handicapped-accessible, centrally located and, most important, larger than the storage room currently being used in the firehouse.

It is about time the village board members listened to the needs of the community and not to the developer.

Deborah M. Brooks
Aurora

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'REMEMBER THE FARGO!'

[Four submissions in top half of Syracuse Post-Standard letters page, boxed, with color photo]

Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Rowland's own words betrayed by actions

To the Editor:

The news that Pleasant Rowland's foundation would be taking over the Fargo was met with dismay and then anger by my family and me.

My friends and family come from a city full of posh eating and drinking establishments. There is something rare, special and curiously appealing in the small-town bar atmosphere of the Fargo. It is also raunchy, surprising and fun.

On May 17, 2001, Rowland acknowledged the community is uncomfortable with a large, external interest making major changes to Aurora. With the Aurora Foundation takeover of the Fargo, that concern, or fear, is realized. She also said the community is concerned about revitalization affecting the security of existing merchants. Again, it seems these fears are well-grounded.

I know she is concerned about drinking and alcohol-related accidents. But there is a healthier, more manageable aspect to drinking out in the open, in the center of town. The real problems occur when drinking is covered up.

The college has recently chosen to enroll men, yet most establishments in Aurora cater to women. Do not create an environment where the young people leave town to get a drink. There is no more obvious set-up for disaster.

If Rowland truly wants to serve the Aurora community, allow the Fargo and its tradition of local ownership to continue.

Laura Holland
Aurora

The Fargo has become Aurora's own Alamo

To the Editor:

The Alamo is small and a little dark, but its appearance belies its importance in history. Inside, the story of a great battle echoes from the walls and grabs your heart. It is a story of a small group battling overwhelming odds to save what they believed was right. Knowing failure was assured, they fought on. Their courage and tenacity is rewarded by the cry, "Remember the Alamo!"

The Fargo Bar & Grill is Aurora's Alamo. It's small and a little dark, but its appearance belies its importance in history. Inside, the story of a village echoes from the walls. If you listen with your heart, you can hear generations of villagers sharing real battle experiences having a first date, toasting brides and grooms, drinking to the memory of lost loved ones, celebrating elections, graduations, birthdays, anniversaries and the successes of family and friends.

This building is a place to gather in winter storms, or rains flood the street. The lonely are assured of finding a friend; those in need of help can find someone to lend a hand; sometimes you can find four generations of villagers deep in caring conversation.

And now, like the Alamo, it is the site of a real battle against overwhelming odds. It is a battle for what is right. "Remember the Alamo!"

Cindy Avery
Spring, Texas

Aurora doesn't deserve this fate

To the Editor:

Aurora has worked hard to accommodate the Aurora Foundation. Often on behalf of Wells College, the village board, the planning board, the civic organizations and the business community accepted the many demands for change to the historic district. Once every building and yard has been dug up, remodeled and gentrified, Aurora will be the perfect pseudo-historic village. It is no longer a village for the villagers, but for wealthy gawkers and shoppers.

Sure, the Aurora Coalition requested that the state of New York's Historical Conservation Department be involved, and that the process of remaking Aurora be slowed down. The Aurora Foundation rejected that. The coalition was accused of not wanting progress, of just being spoil sports.

So guess what? When Aurora sold its soul to the company store, it never thought Pleasant Rowland would come to collect it so soon. She is about to do it now. As the Aurora Coalition found out years ago, Pleasant Rowland is not a woman to plead with. Bumper stickers and letters will not do the trick. We have tried that. So welcome to the fight. I know the village can do it. Better late than never.

Monika Kirtland
Aurora

A stunning Aurora won't be my home

To the Editor:

When recent renovations and gutting were done by the Aurora Foundation, with the approval of Wells College, most of us hoped this change was for the best. Looking back, I'm sure many feel foolish. When the Fargo was closed for renovations, many of us felt a twinge of apprehension. The result has been like a slap in the face.

Wells College needs to survive. But isn't that why the institution went co-ed? I love Wells almost as much as I love Aurora. If the extraordinary connection between the two were lost, both would certainly not survive. Despite this, I will always love my home town more. An Aurora that is stunningly beautiful but without character is not my home.

I could never live in a community that is wrought with lies, deception and concealment. Ironically enough, Wells College tenaciously opposes and fights this with its Honor Code, one of the most sacred promises students take with them. How can the college live with not being forthcoming with information that affects this entire community? How can angering the community be in the best interest of the college?

Mistakes are often forgotten or overlooked; but when a promise or trust is broken, there is almost no repair and certainly it is never forgotten or forgiven.

Rebecca E. VanOrman
Wells College Class of 2002
Aurora


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