Its really too bad this isnt the whole story. Testas venue is so old we couldnt even get currant pieces of equipment to replace plumbing problems. This situation goes on throughout the whole building. Our family worked hard to keep it running and workable to serve all of the community. But after years of weather, termites and anything else that can deteriorate through the years, duct tape and band aids wouldnt even hold things together. Our goal was to develope a beautiful area that resembled and stayed completely in the time era of which it was built. The plans I saw after multiple revisions to meet the demands of the council and a rediculous amount of money, were very people friendly, inviting and within the character of the city. NOT THIS STRIP MALL THAT some people continue to gossip about( Peppers and Markin) to mention a few. Everyone was so ready to make it into a greedy and financial gain ( which is the norm for this island), they were blind and deaf to the real situation. Our family worked hard to please the public, why would we develope something that wouldnt be pleasing, inviting and in character of our home town? Another point is a lot of these people dont even live here year around. When it was time to re-do the gas station new requirement specified VERY VERY expensive tanks. This was impossible for a small family owned restaurant to pull that kind of money out of their pockets. There was no choice but to close down. Then we were screamed at for closing but nobody wanted to invest to keep the convenient station open. The stress and the sadness and ridicule that we have gone through has been cruel and undeserving. Shame on those people trying to be so righteous and pro island with details their brain cant comprehend. At some point buildings will fall down and have to be rebuilt. This has been going on for years. I truly feel sorry for the people that are so ready to fight (for something they think they know everything about ) but just like to jump on the band wagon. After all the years of service to the people of PB and the county, the current proceedings would have broken my husbands heart because he did everything humanly possible to serve our community. It literally broke his heart. I have kept quiet for years and now Im speaking out. People have lied to us, pretended to be personal friends -- pretending to understand what we were trying to to. Its very scary after years of giving everything to serve all the families, weddings, birthdays, and vacationers it has come down to years of fighting. People never saw the human side of this. Just their selfish and finger pointing attitudes. I no longer have the Love and pride for this city that Joe and I once had when we served our community. Best of luck to the next generation that tries to hold their aged building up and just continue on like our family did for almost a 100 years. Shame on those with closed minds. Sandra Scheerer
Posted on: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 19:29:45 +0000