Like Flomaton Councilman Buster Crapps, we had some reservations about the town taking ownership of the old Jackson Theater in downtown Flomaton. Our concerns were, like his, how much money will the town have to spend to keep the building up.
But we also agree with Councilman Roger Adkinson who said the town could not afford to pass up the opportunity to hang on to a historical building that was given to the town free of charge.
For years we've listened as Flomaton residents wished they had the old train depot back. It's long been destroyed.
Adkinson pointed out Monday night that there were council members sitting at the council table that made the decision to let the depot be torn down. He said it was a “black mark” on the town that the council allowed the old depot to be torn down.
We all know that hindsight is 20-20. People would love to have the old depot back but it can't. Many towns have torn down historical buildings they later regretted. But once they are gone, they are gone.
First we applaud Escambia County Bank for offering to give the town the building free of charge. The bank could have easily sold it at auction for some price.
We also agree with Adkinson that if the town can't find the resources to keep the old theater, it could also be easily sold at very little expense to the town.
We're glad the town council agreed to at least give this historical building a chance to continue serving the people of Flomaton.
