Editor,
Reading Donna Colson’s op-ed, denouncing Trump’s demolition of the East Wing of the White House, brought to mind the Gates House, Burlingame’s first residence, which was demolished in 2016, without any public hearing. The beautiful Queen Anne Victorian was singed when the home next door caught fire and suffered an estimated $250,000 in damage. It then sat neglected for several years until the owner was given emergency permission to demolish.
There was no effort by the Historical Society or the City Council, which Ms. Colson was a member, to save the historic home.
Although the owner, John Britton, was rewarded with the approval of his plans to demolish the last of the three adjacent residences he owns and build condos, the property is still a vacant eyesore.
Tim Donnelly
San Mateo
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(1) comment
Thanks for your letter, Mr. Donnelly. Perhaps because Trump wasn’t President at that time and didn’t want to demolish the Gates House, the Historical Society or the City Council didn’t attempt to save the Gates House because they didn’t need to “get Trump.” Of which I posit is the only reason why Ms. Colson and the NTHP are attempting to halt construction of the Big Beautiful Ballroom. Maybe the Historical Society can file a lawsuit to force the Gates House to be rebuilt?
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