A group of Coal Grove residents has decided to try to gather its neighbors together to preserve a little bit of history.

Thursday, March 30, 2000

A group of Coal Grove residents has decided to try to gather its neighbors together to preserve a little bit of history.

The group’s objective is to find some way to use the former Monitor Elementary School building for community activities, a gathering place for seniors or any other purpose that would keep the historic structure in good shape.

Constructed in the early 1900s, Monitor is more than just an example of architecture from a time gone by. The school is a place that stores a lot of memories for many Coal Grove residents, some of whom actually were educated there.

It would be a shame to lose a place that meant so much to its community for so many years.

But the committee formed to protect the building understands, too, that without money and a plan, the school could become just another casualty, a pile of rubble and a danger to the neighborhood.

The committee should be commended for caring enough to make an effort to save Monitor, and village officials and anyone else in government who might be able to help should offer their thoughts on a solution that allows the building to remain a part of the community.

There is no question that an effort to save such a special place is well worth the time and money.

But it will take everyone’s help to accomplish that goal.