In a recent Marshall News Messenger article, the Historic Landmark Preservation Board requested names for this year's awards for preservation of historic properties. I believe that this year a special award should be developed and given to Trinity Episcopal Church and Rusty Assaf for their efforts to destroy a historic neighborhood, by the moving or tearing down the historic Pelz house, in the 100 block of North Grove Street. The Pelz house is without a doubt the finest example of Craftsman architecture in Marshall, Texas.

For several months, without success, Mr. Assaf has had a sign in front of the Pelz house, offering a "Free House to be Moved at Your Expense." The obvious reason that no one has taken the house is that the cost to move and refurbish the house would far exceed the value of the finished house.

My wife and I have made attempts to purchase or lease the house from Trinity Episcopal Church, with no success. Our efforts to obtain the house and restore it to its previous grandeur have been to no avail. We have been told that the church needs the space for parking.