Tallman House gets council support
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Tom McDonald
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Frank Perrotto
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Bill Truman
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Russ Steeber
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Kathy Voskuil
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Yuri Rashkin
JANESVILLE — The majority of Janesville City Council members were impressed by a business plan presented by the Rock County Historical Society to increase revenue at the Tallman House, and council members on Monday rewarded it with a two-year guaranteed subsidy.
The council voted 5-2 to give the group $45,000 each year for two years and another $4,400 for grounds maintenance.
Council members Tom McDonald and Frank Perrotto voted against the proposal, but for different reasons.
Another discussion will come in October, when the council must approve a note issue to borrow a suggested $250,000 for repairs to the Tallman House.
Councilman Yuri Rashkin said the council was right in asking the society for accountability in exchange for the subsidy, and he called the business plan an excellent one. The house is an asset to the city’s economy, he added.
“The hard work is ahead,” Rashkin said, noting the board must now implement its business plan with a goal to increase attendance at the museum.
Council member Kathy Voskuil voiced her support for the Tallman House, noting the society recently received some grants and had a successful art festival. The society netted about $16,000 at the art festival, with about 1,600 people on the grounds and more than 95 artists in attendance.
“We’re on an uphill trend here,” she said. “We have many people working on this project together to make it a better place.”
Councilman Bill Truman has repeatedly called the Tallman House the jewel of Janesville, and he said he hasn’t changed his mind. In fact, Truman said he would have supported a three-year contract.
The assured funding also is helpful in writing grants, he said. Past councils and administrators are guilty of neglecting the Tallman House, he said.
McDonald said most folks know his opinion on the Tallman House, as well.
“I think it’s not worth the money we spend on it,” he said. “Yes, the Tallman House is great, but house museums around the country are routinely shutting down.”
Continued operation of the Tallman House means more city money for the subsidy but also a large repair bill, he said. McDonald also repeated the city should give the house back to the Tallman trust, where it came from in the first place.
Councilman Russ Steeber said giving the house back is a “moot point.”
“We were entrusted as a city to maintain it, and we failed,” he said. Fixing it now is a “step toward fulfilling an obligation we have. When you’re given something, you maintain it. If you’re going to give it back, you’d better give it back in the same condition as (you) received it. I just don’t see us doing that unless we fix it.”
Perrotto said his vote was a protest vote. While he believes in the Tallman House, he didn’t think the group advanced a solid business plan. He said he would have supported a one-year lease.
Other business
The Janesville City Council on Monday:
-- Approved hiring a crossing guard for the intersection of East Rotamer Road and North Wright Road, with the cost of $3,240 being paid by the Milton School District. Nearby Harmony Elementary School is in the Milton district.
-- Waived the $553 event fee for the Partners in Prevention Family Fun Fest at Riverside Park. But council members also asked staff to come back with a suggested policy for setting fees because the council has in the past waived fees for some groups and not others. Otherwise, Councilman Frank Perrotto said he would propose to waive all fees for all non-profits. “To try to play Solomon, that’s just not fair,” he said. “This policy is not working.”
-- Delayed to Sept. 13 a discussion to build a new ice arena with one or two sheets of ice or simply renovate the current arena.
-- Delayed to Sept. 13 a vote on a policy allowing users groups to advertise at the Youth Sports Complex to raise money.
Aug 25, 2010 at 5:12 p.m.
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Do you really ever think he would come back to Janesville after the lies. Mouth was open right!!
Aug 25, 2010 at 4:25 p.m.
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I should get a medal for this comment. Why not invite President Obama to tour the Lincoln-Tallman house and he could hold a fundraiser at the same time. Exclusive dinner type of thing and the proceeds go to restore the house. How could he refuse such an event offer. I'm thinking the money raised would easily repair the house.
Aug 25, 2010 at 3:42 p.m.
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wahoo and Ilovehockey-
Keep in mind this is something we ALREADY own. They cannot fix this and you want to add more things they WONT take care of.
When we have the money to fix AND build new things then go right ahead.
Aug 25, 2010 at 3:38 p.m.
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mrmead- ALL homes need maintenance didn't you know. If you win all that money I would like to know what home YOU don't take care of.
Aug 25, 2010 at 3:37 p.m.
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mrmead- I think you need to visit and SEE why it is so special. No other old home is like this home. It had running water(visit and learn how) and systems in it that are very interesting to learn about.
Indoor toilets is unheard of for that time.
Maybe take the tour and LEARN something about the past. Hard to show people about the past if you destroy it. I personally like to see the past not read about it.
Aug 25, 2010 at 3:33 p.m.
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I don't agree with Tom on this. The city was given this building and told to take care of it. You have not and yet expect to give it back in TERRIBLE condition. NOT!
Fix what you have and MAINTAIN what you have!
IF the city would have done this MAINTAINING the cost of fixing wouldn't be so high now.
All of us who own homes know if you neglect the first issue MANY issues will come up when you FINALLY fix it.
Aug 25, 2010 at 3:27 p.m.
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TJ, thank you. I have to admit, it wasn't the response I was expecting. I think most of the topics that are in the paper are just an inkling of the true facts, for all issues. We as citizens need to take time to become better informed and not go by what is said on these blogs. Thanks again.
Aug 25, 2010 at 2:42 p.m.
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McDonald's statement illustrated why Janesville lacks history. Seems to be easier to tear it down and make a parking lot. If only our forefathers could see what has become of the city they worked so hard to build. The Tallman House has so much history. Maybe those who do not approve of keeping the property should take a tour. This city does not have many structures that still have stories of old to tell, so we need to preserve what we have.
Aug 25, 2010 at 12:12 p.m.
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What about the respect for the people that want a skate park?
Aug 25, 2010 at 12:06 p.m.
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Ilovehockey/ Yes, belatedly,I will. I spoke with Council member Bill Truman on Sunday about the ice arena and found there is a lot we citizens haven't been informed about. Like the cost of tearing down the old ice arena, building a new one, and putting a new fire station on the old site is less than keeping the old ice arena and finding a new site for the fire station. This is the reasoning for considering the new arena and it saves taxpayers money!! How's that for a retraction on my original opinion Ilovehockey? We need to be better informed.
Aug 25, 2010 at 10:57 a.m.
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TJ wrote - understand that not everyone is into the historic value of some of Janesville's landmarks, but at least have some respect for those that do. For those that grew up in Janesville this is a part of YOUR heritage also. Open your mind and stop thinking about it as an old house, you can learn so much by appreciating the history behind the landmark. You may not care, but your children might.
Now,I respect the need for this even though I have never been there and really don't care. So I ask, will you show the same respect to those of us who want the ice arena?
Aug 25, 2010 at 10:11 a.m.
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I understand that not everyone is into the historic value of some of Janesville's landmarks, but at least have some respect for those that do. For those that grew up in Janesville this is a part of YOUR heritage also. Open your mind and stop thinking about it as an old house, you can learn so much by appreciating the history behind the landmark. You may not care, but your children might.
Aug 25, 2010 at 9:45 a.m.
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If this was a real gem. We wouldnt have to keep putting money into it.
Aug 25, 2010 at 9:10 a.m.
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mrmeadec...Let's hope you don't win a ton of money then. :)
The house is an architectural and historical gem.
Aug 25, 2010 at 9:06 a.m.
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Wake up and smell the coffee, If I had some money or position, or was one of the select Janesville city "who matters" club, I would make the house into a homeless shelter and have the city counsel bring meals there every day along with using one of our ghost town buildings as a center for them. Instead of token needs being met by the chosen frozen, and instead of thinking about the history,,, look around,, this city "IS" history... only because they have administrated parks and hired people to keep the grass cut, and soon the city will be park city alright, but nothing else except for sale signs will exist in five years while you pride yourself on spending city money on history instead of waking up to the reality that Janesville is full of children, and adults who are losing everything they have and told to go to Echo... well hear this echo.... city fathers... you will run out of praise for what you do once you run out of money and look around and see there is nothing left but your parks.
Aug 25, 2010 at 7:50 a.m.
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I am so happy this went threw.Atleast I now know who I wont be voting for.
Aug 24, 2010 at 11:40 p.m.
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If it wasn't for Abe Lincoln this would have been demolished years ago. If i won a bunch of money i buy it and turn into a parking lot
Aug 24, 2010 at 9:26 p.m.
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Boy oh boy I cant wait till election so you can stop with this Jvlhousewife....
Aug 24, 2010 at 8:51 p.m.
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I am so happy WILLIAM TRUMAN was able to approve this for the Tallman house before he is elected to the ASSEMBLY in November.
Aug 24, 2010 at 7:51 p.m.
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Sometimes it's hard to justify the soft cost in this type of economy. I'm glad this cost was justified, or at least approved.
Aug 24, 2010 at 7:22 p.m.
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I totally disagree with Councilman McDonald's suggestion to give it back or shut it down. This is part of our history and heritage. It is Janesville's museum and it is our responsibility to keep it maintained. It is also our responsibility as citizens to pitch in. Give a donation -whatever amount you can- and let's back the City Council vote.
Aug 24, 2010 at 6:59 p.m.
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Thank you, City Council members who voted to honor and respect both the past and the future wisely knowing there are treasures more valuable to our mutual cultural heritage than money.
Aug 24, 2010 at 6:42 p.m.
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This is GREAT news! I am positive that the leadership at the Rock County Historical Society will implement the approved business plan and attain the revenue goals! Great job!
Aug 24, 2010 at 6:32 p.m.
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And what does the subsidy per visitor work out to?
Aug 24, 2010 at 6:11 p.m.
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2,261 people visited the Lincoln-Tallman House in 2009.
Aug 24, 2010 at 5:26 p.m.
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This is great news! Janesville should be proud of this beautiful building, its history, and the great people who care for it. Bravo!
Now, lets fund the absolutely needed repairs before more damage occurs. Great job City Council!
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