Bailouts, buildings, and bull

Thursday, the United States Supreme Court reduced prosecutors' use of an anti-fraud law that has been fundamental in the of conviction of persons involved in many of our nation’s major corruption cases. The justices voted 6-3 to keep the law in force, although unanimously deciding to weaken it. This decision may very well lead to the overturning of convictions for two of our nation’s most notorious, Jeffrey Skilling of Enron and former newspaper owner Conrad Black. Aside from the obvious ramifications of the Highest Courts’ decision to our nation, there is another less obvious but no less important effect.

Pictured above: Architectural sketch by Richard Neutra ~ NPS

Cyclorama buildings are a rapidly disappearing resource in the United States. At the turn of the last century, this form of entertainment engaged its audience with a round painting, delighting the visual senses. Today, only four such historic buildings exist. Two have been renovated for new uses and two continue to display cyclorama paintings. Only one is in danger of demolition, Neutra's Cyclorama Building in Gettysburg. The Cyclorama Building was designed in 1961 by architect Richard Neutra as a place to view the 1883 Paul Philippoteaux cyclorama painting of the Battle of Gettysburg. Dion Neutra, son of Richard has been fighting to preserve his father’s work, which he helped design and construct. For years, park officials have tried to demolish the building, which they say leaked and was inadequate to preserve a historic circular painting of the Battle of Gettysburg that is now the centerpiece of the visitor’s center. As a result, the building has stood empty while the Park Service fought the legal battle to demolish the site. In March, a federal judge ruled against the plan to demolish the Cyclorama, stating the park had not adequately considered alternatives to demolition and failed to sufficiently compile an environmental impact report, as required under the National Environmental Policy Act.

Dion Neutra had begun to circulate a petition long before the federal judge ruling in March. "We have 5,000 signatures from all over the world and it seems to me like it would be a win-win situation for everybody. After all, this is a taxpayer-paid-for facility." said Neutra. This building is a National treasure, which once housed a spectacular painting. The Neutra Cyclorama Building in Gettysburg is part of the heritage of Adams County and every United States citizen. It just seems that we as tax payers should have slightly more say in the processes of where our money is spent. Please click here if you would like to sign the petition.