MY TURN: Help Hayden preserve some precious history

There has been a lot of talk recently about saving historical buildings and open/green space in Hayden. A few years back before Ray Hansen passed away, he came to my home to ask my husband, who at the time was on City Council, how he could donate his home and 10 acres to the city of Hayden. Ray and Jean raised their family there and that is the only home Ray lived in except when he was serving his country. 

The Hansen family asked Ray to sell it rather than gift it to the city. After consulting with his family, they decided to work with the city of Hayden to purchase it. Ray was adamant that his property went to the city and not a developer to build 50 houses, which would be a minimum of 100 more cars on the narrow roads of Maple and Miles avenues.  

Since Ray’s passing, his wife and son have been working with the city to purchase the property at assessed value. The old farm house would be a fantastic museum and office for the Hayden Historical Committee as well as all the outbuildings to store their things. 

The Historical Committee is spread throughout Hayden in garages and other places because the city doesn’t have the space to store buggies and such. Mrs. Hansen always had the most beautiful flowers and gardens. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a park, flower garden (Jean’s Garden) and even a community garden? They always had such a huge vegetable garden.  

During the March 27 City Council meeting, Council approved expanding HURA’s boundaries to include Miles Avenue up to Maple. This is the only way the city would be able to obtain this desired property, with our urban renewal agency's financial assistance. 

I was so proud of Councilman Shaffer for voting yes on this, but the next day I was so disappointed by his Facebook message: He said he had made a mistake by voting yes, because he got a few emails from people against his vote. 

Councilman Shaffer, what about all the thousands of other Hayden residents who didn’t email you? They must be for less development. I also was dumbfounded that Councilman Roetter and Councilwoman White voted against expanding the HURA district so the city may have a chance to obtain this property. 

Both Matt Roetter and Sandy White constantly complain about traffic and large housing developments, yet by voting no, what they say they are against is what will happen. Please quit the lip-service and start acting on preserving open space in Hayden. Say no to 50 homes and 100-plus more vehicles. 

The Hansen family has been very patient with the city. They are not stupid people; they know they could get a lot more money and sell it sooner than the red-tape government has to get through to purchase the 10 acres. They are trying to honor their parents’ wishes, but their patience is wearing thin. 

Citizens of Hayden, please contact your City Council and mayor to find a way to save this 10-acre historic homestead. I know we need road improvements, but that is a constant. This 10-acre historic homestead on the corner of Maple and Miles is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the city of Hayden and all its residents. Once this is gone, it’s gone forever and you will see 50 homes built.