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Dear Commissioners:
The “local preference” issue appeared in the Gainesville Sun this morning and in a news article last week.
I was surprised to see that Ron Cunningham reads into Commissioner Byerley’s statement at a recent meeting that using local architects and contractors on county projects automatically implies higher costs.
This is a devastating sentiment for those of us who wish to apply for work on Alachua County projects.
Is this a concept that is passed down to purchasing agents and review committees? I certainly hope not.
Could you explain your opinions about this, Commissioner Byerley, and could any of you express your own concern about hiring local design and construction firms. These are tough times to be automatically shut out of work in your own back yard.
Hiring local firms is actually a perfect “green” issue to champion. Can a Miami design firm or even an Orlando contractor explain away the higher costs and increased use of fuels to travel back and forth to meetings in Gainesville?
We are right here and we want to work for you!
Ron Haase FAIA
Secretary
Gainesville Chapter
American Institute of Architecture
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