JustPretending

"Three or four years ago, Commissioner of Parks, Bernadette Castro, who is New York State’s Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), came to tour the H.H. Richardson Complex so she could report to the Governor on it. Accompanied by half a dozen state officials from the Offices of Parks and Mental Health, she was shown the central (Administration) building, and the ward directly to the east (this is the one that Flynn Battaglia rehabbed a couple decades ago for temporary office space when the high-rise building was being renovated.

It was clear to everyone that the outer buildings were in rough shape, but as the Commissioner was talking, it became apparent that she had no understanding of the history or significance of the complex, other than that it was an old building designed by a prominent architect. She started talking about how they could save the central building and the wing on each side, and let the rest go. In a move which probably didn’t ingratiate me to her, I opened my mouth and said that the importance of the property was all of its components, that three of the eastern wards had already been lost, and that the rest should certainly be preserved. This garnered me scowls.

When you get a reaction like that from a government official, you know that their minds are already made up, and they are just play-acting, laying the groundwork for what will later be their decision after their “fact-finding mission.”

About a year later, an architect from the National Park Service and I went on our own tour of the buildings. I wanted to know if a Save America’s Treasures grant or other federal funding could be obtained to help restore the buildings. He was dismayed at the condition of the place, and very concerned that the buildings were being allowed to continue to deteriorate. At that time, he felt it would cost around $300 million to fully rehabilitate the complex, and a viable use would have to be found to keep the place alive.Since then, I know that the Governor has poured money into masonry repairs and roofing, but the outer buildings are continuing to deteriorate at an alarming rate.

Security is a very serious issue – they cannot keep intruders out (the place is a popular urban orienteering or geocaching spot, and once the pros break in, the neighborhood kids follow to rip things off). It seems clear to me that the strategy of “save the center few buildings and let the rest go” is being allowed to play out.

I hear that Sam Hoyt will soon be presenting some news or a plan for the complex, and I wonder if he has been co-opted, too. He’s a nice guy and his heart is in the right place, but he is a government official, too, and wants to show progress. He has probably rationalized that saving a few of the buildings is better than losing them all. Why is that always the range of choices in Buffalo?

Pardon my ramblings, but I hope the true preservationists in Buffalo hold the state’s feet to the fire on this one. I mean it – the rest of the world will look at New York’s demolishing (either through neglect all these years or in one fell swoop) the outer wards of the Insane Asylum as akin to the demolition of the Larkin Office Building. WE KNOW BETTER NOW! But bureaucratic bungling has nearly destroyed this treasure, and it should be stopped."

"Three or four years ago, Commissioner of Parks, Bernadette Castro, who is New York State’s Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), came to tour the H.H. Richardson

Complex so she could report to the Governor on it. Accompanied by half a dozen state officials from the Offices of Parks and Mental Health, she was shown the central (Administration) building,

and the ward directly to the east (this is the one that Flynn Battaglia rehabbed a couple decades ago for temporary office space when the high-rise building was being renovated.

It was clear to everyone that the outer buildings were in rough shape, but as the Commissioner was talking, it became apparent that she had no understanding

of the history or significance of the complex, other than that it was an old building designed by a prominent architect. She started talking about how they

could save the central building and the wing on each side, and let the rest go. In a move which probably didn’t ingratiate me to her, I opened my mouth

and said that the importance of the property was all of its components, that three of the eastern wards had already been lost, and that the rest should

certainly be preserved. This garnered me scowls.

When you get a reaction like that from a government official, you know that their minds are already made up, and they are just play-acting, laying the groundwork

for what will later be their decision after their “fact-finding mission.”

About a year later, an architect from the National Park Service and I went on our own tour of the buildings. I wanted to know if a Save America’s Treasures

grant or other federal funding could be obtained to help restore the buildings. He was dismayed at the condition of the place, and very concerned that

the buildings were being allowed to continue to deteriorate. At that time, he felt it would cost around $300 million to fully rehabilitate the complex, and a viable use would have to

be found to keep the place alive.Since then, I know that the Governor has poured money into masonry repairs and roofing, but the outer buildings are continuing to deteriorate at an alarming

rate.

Security is a very serious issue – they cannot keep intruders out (the place is a popular urban orienteering or geocaching spot, and once the pros break in,

the neighborhood kids follow to rip things off). It seems clear to me that the strategy of “save the center few buildings and let the rest go” is being allowed to play out.

I hear that Sam Hoyt will soon be presenting some news or a plan for the complex, and I wonder if he has been co-opted, too. He’s a nice guy and his heart is in the right place, but he is a

government official, too, and wants to show progress. He has probably rationalized that saving a few of the buildings is better than losing them all. Why is that always the range of choices in Buffalo?

Pardon my ramblings, but I hope the true preservationists in Buffalo hold the state’s feet to the fire on this one. I mean it – the rest of the world will look at New York’s demolishing (either

through neglect all these years or in one fell swoop) the outer wards of the Insane Asylum as akin to the demolition of the Larkin Office Building. WE KNOW BETTER NOW! But bureaucratic bungling has nearly

destroyed this treasure, and it should be stopped."

"Three or four years ago, Commissioner of Parks, Bernadette Castro, who is New York State’s Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), came to tour the H.H. Richardson
Complex so she could report to the Governor on it.  Accompanied by half a dozen state officials from the Offices of Parks and Mental Health, she was shown the central (Administration) building,
and the ward directly to the east (this is the one that Flynn Battaglia rehabbed a couple decades ago for temporary office space when the high-rise building was being renovated.

It was clear to everyone that the outer buildings were in rough shape, but as the Commissioner was talking, it became apparent that she had no understanding
of the history or significance of the complex, other than that it was an old building designed by a prominent architect.  She started talking about how they
could save the central building and the wing on each side, and let the rest go.  In a move which probably didn’t ingratiate me to her, I opened my mouth
and said that the importance of the property was all of its components, that three of the eastern wards had already been lost, and that the rest should
certainly be preserved.  This garnered me scowls.
 
When you get a reaction like that from a government official, you know that their minds are already made up, and they are just play-acting, laying the groundwork
for what will later be their decision after their “fact-finding mission.”

About a year later, an architect from the National Park Service and I went on our own tour of the buildings.  I wanted to know if a Save America’s Treasures
grant or other federal funding could be obtained to help restore the buildings.  He was dismayed at the condition of the place, and very concerned that
the buildings were being allowed to continue to deteriorate.  At that time, he felt it would cost around $300 million to fully rehabilitate the complex, and a viable use would have to
be found to keep the place alive.Since then, I know that the Governor has poured money into masonry repairs and roofing, but the outer buildings are  continuing to deteriorate at an alarming
rate.

Security is a very serious issue – they cannot keep intruders out (the place is a popular urban orienteering or geocaching spot, and once the pros break in,
the neighborhood kids follow to rip things off).  It seems clear to me that the strategy of “save the center few buildings and let the rest go” is being allowed to play out.

I hear that Sam Hoyt will soon be presenting some news or a plan for the complex, and I wonder if he has been co-opted, too.  He’s a nice guy and his heart is in the right place, but he is a
government official, too, and wants to show progress.  He has probably rationalized that saving a few of the buildings is better than losing them all.  Why is that always the range of choices in Buffalo?

Pardon my ramblings, but I hope the true preservationists in Buffalo hold the state’s feet to the fire on this one.  I mean it – the rest of the world will look at New York’s demolishing (either
through neglect all these years or in one fell swoop) the outer wards of the Insane Asylum as akin to the demolition of the Larkin Office Building.  WE KNOW BETTER NOW!  But bureaucratic bungling has nearly
destroyed this treasure, and it should be stopped."

Suzanne M. Prabucki


6251 Armor Rd (716) 440-1033
Orchard Park, NY
14127



Objective: To obtain an internship with the Preservation Coalition of Erie County.


Education:

Graduate School: Buffalo State College 2004-2007
1300 Elmwood Ave Master of the Arts
Buffalo, NY 14222

I am currently working on my Master of the Arts degree in History with a concentration in Museum Studies. My studies include early American history, research and writing in local and European history, critical issues in museums and museum education. While studying at Buffalo State College I am perfecting my historical writing skills as well as gaining experience in historical research. Through my museum classes, I also have had access to local museums as learning tools to study the issues and tasks museums must face.

College: SUNY College at Brockport 1999-2003 (graduated)
350 New Campus Drive Bachelor of the Arts
Brockport, NY
14420

I have a Bachelor of the Arts Degree in International Studies with concentrations in European Relations and International Business. My studies included cross cultural communications, comparative politics, geopolitics, Irish culture, politics and history of the European Union, history of the modern world, and the history of pre- and post war-Europe. I also studied Spanish as a second language.
I spent a semester abroad at Middlesex University in London, England through the SUNY Brockport study abroad program. I studied European Relations and interned with the Labour Party and the House of Commons. While abroad, I also traveled to various parts of England and Wales, Rome, Florence and Venice in Italy and Munich, Germany visiting numerous sites of historical and cultural interest.






High School: Mount Mercy Academy 1995-1999
88 Red Jacket Pkwy. NYS Regents Diploma
Buffalo, NY
14220

I received my New York State Regents Diploma in 1999. While at Mt. Mercy I studied in English Honors as well as college level English classes at Trocaire College. I also studied college level Spanish classes offered by Niagara University. I was involved in several extra curricular activities including Oratory and Debate, Drama Club, Cross Country and Students Against Driving Drunk (S.A.D.D).



Employment:

White Gloves Brigade c/o 06/03/06
BECHS and the Amherst Museum

I spent a day learning how to take inventory of historical documents and objects with the White Gloves Brigade, a railroad historical society in Orchard Park,NY. I researched through several boxes containing historical railroad documents, decided on their importance and recorded them as such.

Buffalo Tours Docent Program 02/06-Present

I trained for 10 weeks to become a certified docent with Buffalo Tours sponsored by the Preservation Coalition of Erie County and the Landmark Society of the Buffalo-Niagara Region. This summer I led tours explaining the history and architecture of Lincoln Parkway, the exterior of the Albright-Knox and Larkland on Lincoln Parkway. I have been in intense study of the architectural history of certain homes and landmarks in Buffalo and am fully capable of preparing and giving informative tours.


Definity Health Plans 12/03-Present
500 Colvin Woods Claims Analyst
Tonawanda, NY 14227

My duties as a claims analyst at Definity Health Plans include processing and paying medical bills to physicians and hospitals according to members’ plan policies and reimbursing members for medical expenses. I consistently pass my internal audits of claims paid correctly and meet my quota daily. I strictly abide by HIPPA (Health Insurance Privacy and Procedures Act) laws as well. I am trusted by my supervisor to take on special projects and to do research on individual members and physicians for claim paying purposes. I am currently in negotiations to decrease my hours per week so that I can devote time to volunteering at BECHS.

First Priority Mortgage 6/03-12/03
3380 Union Rd Loan Officer Assistant/
Cheektowaga, NY 14225 Processing Assistant

My duties as a Loan Officer Assistant included initial interviews with potential clients, data entering information into the company’s computer system and researching the client’s credit history. As a processing assistant I was responsible for validating clients’ employment and credit information and calling clients to obtain outstanding information needed before their mortgages were approved.



Labour Party 2/02-5-02
Millbank Tower Intern
Millbank, LondonSW1P 4GT UK

While interning with the Labour Party, I worked in the Research/Attack and Rebuttal unit. My duties included researching through newspapers, magazines and on the Internet and chose what I found to be information printed in support of or against the Labour Party. I then scanned the information onto the computer system so that Labour Party employees could have access to it. While working with Labour I also had the opportunity to work in British Parliament. My tasks there included updating the computer database and distributing press releases to Labour MPs. This job gave me the opportunity to learn how the inside of a government works. It also furthered my work experience in a professional environment.


HSBC Mortgage Corporation 6/01-1-02
2929 Walden Ave. Summer Intern/Winter Intern
Depew, NY
(716) 651-6100


While interning for HSBC, I worked in Wholesale Mortgage. My tasks included filing legal documents and checking to make sure they were correct, inputting 1003s, 1008s, etc. into the computer system, registering loan applications, and phoning brokers to sort out any problems. This job taught me how to work in a professional, business environment as well as improved my interpersonal communication skills.



Special Skills and Awards: Microsoft Word, Power Point, Works and Excel, Microfiche, Internet Explorer, National and New York State semi-Finalist in Oratory and Debate (high school)

all good men must come to the aid of the party

"Three or four years ago, Commissioner of Parks, Bernadette Castro, who is New York State’s Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), came to tour the H.H. Richardson Complex so she could report to the Governor on it. Accompanied by half a dozen state officials from the Offices of Parks and Mental Health, she was shown the central (Administration) building, and the ward directly to the east (this is the one that Flynn Battaglia rehabbed a couple decades ago for temporary office space when the high-rise building was being renovated.