[LUconn]

among the letters to the editor is one from our very own Kevin Clauson. It's kinda sad. Apparently his orginization is having to sell that large Library on Rivermont. He even makes mention of leaving the area. That would be an iconic loss for LU.

http://www.newsadvance.com/servlet/Sate ... ws!letters!

A clarification

The March 27 editorial was a timely reminder that the community should indeed be concerned about the future of the former Jones Memorial Library. However there were mistakes and statements that could be easily misunderstood. I would like to set the record straight.

(1) City Council did not sell the Jones Library to The Patrick Henry Institute. The private Jones Memorial Library Association sold it to the PHI. The city government had absolutely nothing to do with the sale because the city of Lynchburg did not own the property.

(2) It is true that the assessed value of the property is $431,000, whereas the sale price is $895,000. However it must be understood that the Jones Library has never really been sold in its entire 100 years. (The PHI acquisition was for $ 10 and thus was more akin to a gift; PHI is tax-exempt.) Furthermore there are simply no comparable properties; the library property is very unique. Thus at this point any tax assessment is really very speculative.

(3) It is implied that the PHI/Jones Library will sit empty for a long time (as it did before PHI got it), leading to deterioration, as was the case before. However neither PHI nor Christ College has any intention of vacating the building until there is a sale.

Putting the old Jones Library on the market was certainly not something PHI or Christ College wanted. An unfortunate series of events beyond our control precipitated this drastic action. Sadly, I myself may be forced to leave the Lynchburg area after 22 years, and I, the PHI board and the Christ College board want to see both PHI and Christ College on a sound financial footing, and to see that the old Jones Library is further restored to its former glory (as we have already made great strides in doing).

KEVIN L. CLAUSON

President

The Patrick Henry Institute

[PAmedic]

why would selling a private library force him to leave the area?

[Cider Jim]

Perhaps he may be moving when Christ College/Patrick Henry Institute relocates. I believe he's the president of both as well as an LU goverment professor since 1985.

[ATrain]

Yes, and it'd be sad to see him go...he is a great prof, and if anybody has him make sure you ask about army tanks.

[Hold My Own]

What's his biggest love (besides politics)....Being the Pres or being a Prof



He was also very very vital to the Moral Majority back in the day

[TallyW]

He was my adviser.... He has some very interesting views on Government's role in society... I had several classes under him... every one made me laugh...

Yes he is the pres (at least when I was there) of CC.

I wonder if LU would want to buy it and make some sort of nice gesture for the city down there...
Renovate it and lease it to the city for library/coffee shop use??? it'd be a very nice PR move. And I'm certain we wouldn't pay the asking price.

[thepostman]

I actually had him last year for government 200....I liked him...I am not huge into government but he had some interesting views...some I agreed with...some I did not...but overall he was a very knowledgeable prof and treated everybody with respect...even in a large classroom setting

[whmatthews]

I've had Clauson for GOVT 200, Jurisprudence, Constitutional Law, State and Local Government and right now I'm taking Government Regulation of Business under him. Truth be told, while he's an interesting guy and has some great views and points to make, he's not a great teacher. No attendance policy and only two tests (which are take home mid-term and final) make him very popular. His contract wasn't renewed by Liberty he told us in class the other day. Good luck Dr. Clauson.

[jmdickens]

Even though Clauson's contract was not renewed, isn't it good for Liberty because they are trying to increase the academic standards of the university