tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14618569.post112241425660528845..comments2023-09-08T23:48:49.411-08:00Comments on Dorene M. Lorenz: Renaissance for Neglected Jesse Lee HomeDorene Lorenzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176289930458960771noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14618569.post-1122669150295262072005-07-29T12:32:00.000-08:002005-07-29T12:32:00.000-08:00Carla,It is not that I am against your idea, I am ...Carla,<BR/><BR/>It is not that I am against your idea, I am just not sure that it is the best use for that particular facility. <BR/><BR/>At the end of the day I would just be very happy to have an appropriate year-round vender in the location that keeps the buildings on the National Historic Register.<BR/><BR/>As much as I adore Penny Hardy, I am also aware that the buildings already have names well steeped in tradition. <BR/><BR/>Goode Hall, for example, was named after a woman who all on her own raised the fantastic amount of money to construct the building at a time when cash was very short.<BR/><BR/>I am certainly not opposed to naming most anything after such a honorable and distinctive individual as Penny Hardy. <BR/><BR/>There are so many nameless things that there really isn't a compelling reason to take someone just-as-deserving's name off of a pre-named-thing.Dorene Lorenzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09176289930458960771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14618569.post-1122668691531444182005-07-29T12:24:00.000-08:002005-07-29T12:24:00.000-08:00I take it you don't like my ideal about Jesse Leeh...I take it you don't like my ideal about Jesse Lee<BR/>home.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14618569.post-1122668610627431292005-07-29T12:23:00.001-08:002005-07-29T12:23:00.001-08:00I believe the Bear Road extension that goes across...I believe the Bear Road extension that goes across<BR/>from Urbach's home and behind JLH was vacated by<BR/>special request, and not in the public's best<BR/>interest. It is now a dead end. <BR/><BR/>P&Z has discussed it. This access road should<BR/>definitely be reopened to provide more access to and<BR/>from Dora Way.<BR/><BR/>CarolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14618569.post-1122668580215110542005-07-29T12:23:00.000-08:002005-07-29T12:23:00.000-08:00I agree strongly with the access problem. It is m...I agree strongly with the access problem. It is my understanding that since the Jesse Lee is a historically significant site - and the Seward Highway is a dedicated scenic byway there are non-matching grants available - multi-millions over several years - to change the access route to the "tourist" location via a special program for just this purpose in the Fed DOT.<BR/> <BR/>Someone told me that their used to be a right-of-way that was vacated that would have made for a smoother transition. Do you know anything about this?Dorene Lorenzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09176289930458960771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14618569.post-1122576079817844492005-07-28T10:41:00.000-08:002005-07-28T10:41:00.000-08:00I thought about this all night and I think that th...I thought about this all night and I think that they should name the small house the Penny Hardy Center.<BR/><BR/>I don't think you realize how many kids Penny, Kathy at Kates Roadhouse and I have tried to<BR/>help. <BR/><BR/>Providing a place to live, food,clothing,etc.(out of our pockets.<BR/><BR/>I spent $550 plus a month at the Marina restaurant buying people food that were hungry. I sent extra food in Shauna lunch for two<BR/>of her friends whose parents had died.<BR/><BR/>I have no numbers how many kids in Alaska parents are both locked up and the kids have no place to go. I know there are alot.<BR/><BR/>I know that Penny and has taken in 14 to 20 kids over the years not asking a dime from the government. Those days are over and the town and state NEED a place.<BR/><BR/>I have worked on projects like this with Sister Bernardine the good shepherd order all across the<BR/>US.<BR/><BR/>With the Heritage money to refurbish and monthly amount for the care of children it is possible.<BR/><BR/>We can spend $32,ooo for bronze birds in the boat habor we can<BR/>do this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14618569.post-1122575830561796342005-07-28T10:37:00.000-08:002005-07-28T10:37:00.000-08:00I think the Jesse Lee home should be exactly what ...I think the Jesse Lee home should be exactly what it was intended for for. After my involvement with the Stoner kids and seeing they had no place to go,and the Bon Appette, accused of messing with the kids,and Pennys last problem kid that ended up in Kenai and Palmer.<BR/><BR/>These kids need to stay near their family and friends,churches,etc. I think it would be possible to use the heritage money to fix it up.<BR/><BR/>The drug and drinking problem has grown everyday and we need a place for these kids to stay. The Stoner kid was 15 when his mom died from drinking and his father died within the year.<BR/><BR/>He lived hand to mouth for two years. No place to go. This has happened with several families and I think it is a travesty to not address this issue, but no one wants to.<BR/><BR/>I realize in this day it should not be called a orphanage, so we will call it a group home.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14618569.post-1122575420742122232005-07-28T10:30:00.000-08:002005-07-28T10:30:00.000-08:00I have considered the use of the JLH for amuseum/l...I have considered the use of the JLH for a<BR/>museum/library and find that the current traffic<BR/>pattern is horrendous. Whether accessing the site from<BR/>Resurrection Blvd/Swetmann or Phoenix/Dora Way, it is<BR/>very congested, limited, and potentially dangerous.<BR/><BR/>All the residents of Dora Way spill out down a narrow,<BR/>curving road that lacks sidewalks, and either continue<BR/>down a much narrower, winding Phoenix or turn onto<BR/>Bear and then onto Resurrection Blvd/Swetmann. Teen<BR/>drivers speed down this road 9 months of the year. It<BR/>is very busy with a concentration of multi-family<BR/>housing units.<BR/><BR/>Swetmann/Res is wider with sidewalks, but also curves<BR/>dangerously. Bear Drive east is a mandated yield that<BR/>is by nature dangerous, especially in the winter when<BR/>school buses prefer the yield to a stop due to the ice<BR/>and a slippery slope.<BR/><BR/>Encouraging kids, who must walk or bike, to go to a<BR/>library/museum on unsafe roads is never a good plan.<BR/><BR/>When I picture my family trying to go to the library<BR/>or museum up there compared to the ease of accessing<BR/>it downtown in its historic location, I find the<BR/>downtown location to be much safer and thus<BR/>preferable. There are sidewalks, it is not hilly, and<BR/>there are multiple access roads.<BR/><BR/>A few other thoughts: a new building can be<BR/>constructed in compliance with ADA regulations and for<BR/>high energy efficiency. A new design will accommodate<BR/>current and future needs much easier than a remodel. <BR/><BR/>I encourage you to contact Librarian Patty Linville.<BR/>She and others have studied this matter extensively<BR/>and would be happy to share her expertise.<BR/><BR/>I appreciate the effort you have put into this issue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14618569.post-1122574871859212192005-07-28T10:21:00.000-08:002005-07-28T10:21:00.000-08:00Your site looks terrific. P.S., my mom worked at J...Your site looks terrific. P.S., my mom worked at Jesse Lee in the 50's and totally agrees with your vision of what it could be. Good luck with your blog (the first one I've ever visited!).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com