And just in case an airport building or a car dealership or a movie palace doesn't quite speak to your heart, to what matters to you, then please, think of Balboa Park, known as the jewel of the city. A national historic district and one of our most cherished historic resources, it too is now under threat from roads, a bridge and parking structures going right through and into its historic core. Can this really be happening? It can and it is.
SOHO does all it can through negotiation, solution oriented negotiations that look for real win-win outcomes for all parties involved. But that just isn't always good enough for some deep pocketed agencies like the Port and Airport Authorities or real estate investors whose only goal is to clear sites and build skyscrapers, or politicians who owe their seat to the development interests that have owned San Diego for a hundred years. They want it all their way, all or nothing, no room for the interests or desires of the communities they are sworn to serve.
In a city that has one of the most important aviation histories in the nation the Airport Authority want s to demolish that same aviation history! Salvation Army wants you to consider it a religious entity and as such should not have to abide by the same rules and regulations that you and I do. They want you to donate to them too and all the while they can turn your donations into a parking lot while razing a landmark and adversely impacting the area forever.
I ask you to think about how SOHO's work has touched your life and how it will affect the lives of generations to come. Think about what San Diego would look like if not for SOHO, with only history books and historic photographs to tell the stories of our past.
The next few years may be the most challenging of times yet. While we have every expectation that the expansion of museum sites has the utmost potential to influence generations to come and raise awareness and, bring youth into the fold as we work to grow the next generation of preservationists...we still need your help. Our legal expenses may be higher than at any other time in our history in this coming year. This work can only be done together.
SOHO gets a lot of accolades for our achievements but as I say often publicly, I say to you here, it is only because of the support of you, our members, that we are able to achieve great things. I sincerely thank those of you who contribute to SOHO, your support has made a difference. I hope that you will once again count us among your favorite charities to gift this year.
This year we ask you to help us as much you can. We know that many have suffered from the downturn in the economy and if it has not touched you in your own home, your family or other loved ones have felt it. Yet even still and even though it's a difficult time to ask for your help, we must, as we all must weather the storm, and SOHO needs your help indeed.
Now with the various community plans in process this is our best and our only time to achieve some of the long-term goals to protect our historic neighborhoods. This will be an expensive effort, but this is our best opportunity. We all enjoy the labors of SOHO's work. We reap the fruit of the organization's tireless efforts as we drive through a historic neighborhood, enjoy a ballgame, dine or lodge in a historic building, or enjoy a play or performance at a historic theatre or pass one of your favorite landmarks on the street. Your donation is truly needed at this time to help us safeguard the cultural identity that is unique to San Diego County and to allow us to continue to save San Diego's past for the future now.
Sincerely,
Bruce Coons
SOHO Executive Director
