The Garish Blight of Fake Victorian Architecture

April 6, 2008

Dear Mayor Joy,

I sincerely apologize for having temporarily withdrawn my application to the HDC [Historic District Commission], and bear you no ill will for having consequently denied me the nomination. I now clearly realize that I lack the temperament of forbearance necessary to deal with the nonsensical actions so often taken by that committee.

Coming from a family that has lived in Carroll County since 1836, and being the great grandson of Rep. Jordan Morris, the first Arkansas congressman ever to represent Eureka Springs upon its founding in 1879, I am particularly dedicated to the preservation of our extraordinary heritage, architecture and natural beauty. Therefore, it is excruciating for me to witness the garish blight of fake Victorian architecture, ugly suburban- looking monstrosities, tacky condominiums destroying our once beautiful Glenwood Park, and hideous “imprinted concrete” sidewalks that are ruinously engulfing this beautiful old city. The historical and architectural integrity of Eureka Springs has been squandered and replaced with all things fake and phony.

Mayor Joy, your rebuff of my willingness to make use of my knowledge and experience has served only to redouble and intensify my resolve to find other means of protecting my beautiful ancestral home from the highly improper actions of city officials who are clearly in the pockets of certain wealthy newcomers, and facilitated by the embarrassing and devastating incompetence of the current H.D.C.

Cordially,
James William Taylor