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CITY OF MAUMEE
110 East Dudley Street
Maumee, Ohio 43537
Phone (419) 897-7101
FAX (419) 897-7104
Stephen J. Pauken
Mayor
September 23, 1996
Mr. L.A. Isaac
The Isaac Companies
1645 Indian Wood Circle
Maumee, Ohio 43537
Dear Zac:
I am appreciative of your letter of September 20, 1996, and your statement of the Isaac Companies' position of the land known to be the site of the Battle of Fallen Timbers contained therein. While I do not wish to dispute any statements made pertaining to our discussion, I am sure you will agree that it consisted of candid conversation regarding the future of the approximate 180 acres of land on which the Isaac Group holds a right of first refusal with the City of Toledo, and is the subject of intense interest by a multitude of governments and organizations as a future National Historic Site.
My collective recognition of all of the events pertaining to the subject property seem to suggest that the Isaac Companies have always expressed particular sensitivity to the historic nature of this tract of land. These events include the statements made at One Government Center on the day the option agreement with the City of Toledo was announced; our radio conversation with Mayor Finkbeiner on "Ask the Mayor"; the statement made in June of 1995 when the results of the archaeological survey were announced at the site (which you attended, and was documented in the attached Toledo Blade report); and our recent conversation.
I recognize that your preference is to set aside 10-15 acres to recognize the historic significance of this site while developing the rest in a commercially compatible manner. I believe that I have also made clear that the entire parcel is necessary to adequately recognize and interpret this most important event in the history of our country. I have stated publicly that I do not oppose the Isaac Companies' pursuit of their objectives on the adjacent parcel which you have an option and I continue to maintain that whatever development occurs adjacent to the Battlefield will result in a compatible and respectful mix of uses.
The time has come to make definite decisions on the future of the Fallen Timbers Battlefield. A Bill creating a National Historic Site at this location will be introduced in the Congress this week with the total commitment of the sponsors. Overwhelming support and public opinion has been documented in various media reports for this project to proceed. It serves no useful purpose to delay what inevitably will occur on this land, and only adds to the cost of government and the private sector to oppose the rightful and respectful designation of a pivotal event in American history for millions of Native Americans and the government of the United States.
While I am sincerely apologetic of any statements I may have made that might misinterpret the conversations we have had in the past, I am hopeful that our mutual goals will include doing what is right for our city, our state, our country, and all the people we represent. It is my job to represent the sincere interests of the people of the City of Maumee and Northwest Ohio, and I remain convinced that my position regarding those interests is correct, and accurate. It is my hope that the Isaac Corporations will work with me in doing what is right for the people of Maumee, Northwest Ohio, and the United States. Together, we can profit in our endeavors.
Very truly yours,
[signature]
Stephen J. Pauken
Mayor
cc:
Members of Council
Mayor Carty Finkbeiner
Sen. Mike DeWine
Rep. Marcy Kaptur
Rep. Paul Gillmor
Gen. Walter A. Churchill
John P. Jaqua, FTBPC, Inc.
Richard Ruppert, M.D.
Walter Edelen
Dr. Ted Ligibel, MVHC, Inc.
G. Michael Pratt, Ph.D.
Rory Robinson, NPS
Roger Kennedy, Director, NPS
Rep. Lynn Olman, Dist. 51
James Seney, ODOD
Jean Ward, Metroparks
Mr. Isaac's response (Sept. 20, 1996) to Mayor Pauken's letter (Sept. 16, 1996).
Mayor Finkbeiner's response (Sept. 25, 1996) to Mayor Pauken's letter (Sept. 16, 1996).
Return to Correspondence List.
This series of correspondences was received as a set of public documents on file with the City of Maumee.
Last edited by J. Abel, 11/5/97
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