Dear Editor;

I read with interest the article in the Lake Orion Review in which the Village Council wishes to explore the possibility of purchasing and turning the Ehman Center into a community center.

I admire the idea and the good intentions, yet the reality is that purchasing the Ehman Center will come at a great cost to the taxpayers and would expose any purchaser to potential liability for asbestos issues. As prior owners have discovered, the cost factor to maintain and bring this building to code is enormous.

The public sector should not be in the business of property/real estate speculation.

It has been mentioned that the village could apply for grants to assist with this project. However, to receive grants from the government by a government entity to explore this type of development may be reckless. Grants are indeed given at times, yet the amount received generally is very small for the amount spent to purchase and update this type of building.

The Ehman Center has a great history and brings many memories to us all.

However, the Village of Lake Orion has a fiduciary duty to not participate in purchasing property that has proven not to have a future.

Respectfully,

Steven A. Drakos

Attorney at Law