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Sheriff investigates Adam Hall vandalism
(by Joan Demirjian - August 03, 2011)
Sheriff investigates Adam Hall vandalism
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
Auburn Township Trustees are hoping the culprits who vandalized the township's Adam Hall will be found and held accountable for damages.
In the incident, which occurred sometime during the night of July 29, outside walls, windows, lights and walkways were spray painted on the building on East Washington Street. Damage is being estimated at approximately $5,000.
Trustee John Eberly said a resident who is renting the hall for a wedding called the township representative, Matthew Blowers, after visiting the site the next day.
"It's shocking in our community," Mr. Blowers said of the derogatory comments on the walls.
This week, Auburn Road Department crews were sanding, cleaning and painting over the painted graffiti. There was no estimate of damage yet.
"You name it, and they painted it," Road Superintendent Emerick Gordon said of the vandals.
Benches that had been donated to the township for the hall were sprayed, as were building pillars. "The vandals got every wall of the building," he said.
"We've never encountered anything of this scope or magnitude of vandalism," Mr. Gordon said.
Auburn Trustee Patrick J. Cavanagh said, "It was a mess on all four sides. No part of the building was untouched." However, he said, it will be in shape for the upcoming wedding.
"The sheriff's department is investigating," Mr. Cavanagh said.
Trustee Michael Troyan said renovations of the building were completed about eight years ago, and there had never been a problem.
"This is a sad state of affairs," he said. "I believe it is an isolated incident, but we expect more of the people and kids who live in the area."
"It made me sick to see it," Mr. Eberly said.
All four walls of the building, which include cedar siding and brick, were sprayed, along with the brand new window recently installed.
"I found a plastic bag with spray cans left there," Mr. Eberly.
The outside walls of cedar siding had been stained last year, and the spray paint soaked into them.
Bricks on one wall and the front door were spray painted as well, Mr. Eberly said. Some of the paint was fluorescent.
"They sprayed over the light detector lenses for the flag," he said.
From the wording, including a reference to the government, it appears it was done by high-school-age juveniles, Mr. Eberly said. Some of the letters were formed by someone familiar with architectural printing, he said.
He believes they drove to the site, he said. "My contention is someone must have seen them.
"If we can find out who did this, we will prosecute to the fullest extent," Mr. Eberly said. "There's no excuse for this."
Residents have been outraged as well. "I had five phone calls Saturday telling me about it," he said.
"The building has been immaculately maintained, and we want to keep it that way," Mr. Eberly said.
It was donated to Auburn Township by the late Al Padagamis, a longtime resident, in 2004, he said. Mr. Padagamis built the building and ran an auction business from the site, which includes 18 acres.
"He wanted to do something for the township and he donated it to Auburn," Mr. Eberly said.
The township renovated the hall, keeping its historic tradition, and built an addition for bathrooms and a kitchen. It is used for rentals, community functions, meetings and for voting.
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