This is a letter to the Columbia County Board of Supervisors:

I've been following the Daily Register's stories regarding the county's interests in potentially purchasing the Pick 'n Save South strip mall to address its future spacial needs, all to the tune of an initial approximate $1.2 million to just acquire the building and more likely than not $11 million after renovations.

For what it's worth, I think that this is a good location and a good long-term idea. However, as a taxpayer, employee of the county and a member of the Portage School Board, the financial timing couldn't be worse, and I'm wondering why the Portage School District's Clough building on DeWitt Street and MacFarlane Road next to Goodyear Park is not an option for the county.

I have spoken to one County Board supervisor about this and attempted to speak to another without success, so I've decided to provide all of you with this information.

The Clough building has been offered to the city of Portage for $1 (that's right, $1). Clough has approximately 34,500 square feet of usable space and is not only in walking distance of the downtown and the courthouse but also has ample space for the addition of a parking complex.

Clough is directly adjacent to a city park (green space maintained by the city of Portage). Clough has a gymnasium that could be utilized as such or renovated.

Clough has an auditorium that could be used as a County Board meeting room, senior center, etc., or renovated and has multiple levels of potential office space.

Clough does, however, have some "issues." The school district completed a study of the building in 2008 to address its repair and renovation costs. That came in at approximately $1.4 million, but that money being spent, the building would be completely renovated and utilized more efficiently by the school district.

In my figuring, it appears to me that Columbia County could potentially acquire the Clough building and land from the Portage School District for $1 and then when financial timing is better, the county could then renovate the building as the school district had looked at in 2008 ($1.4 million) and could even afford to spend a bit more and really customize the building to the county's needs, all (I'm guessing) for much less than the proposed $11 million. Talk about "doing more with less" (Daily Register, June 19). This is a clear option of "getting more with less."

In my eyes, the Clough building should be considered as one of your ad hoc committee's options presented to the full board. Please read the article published by the Daily Register on Dec. 5, 2008, regarding Clough. I'd hate for the county to overlook probably its best option.

Any questions, concerns or interests, please feel free to contact me, another Portage School Board of Education member, District Administrator Charles Poches or Director of Business Operations Margaret Dolde.

Thank you.

Daniel G. Garrigan, detective sergeant, Columbia County Sheriff's Department, Portage