July 26, 1999

Dennis and Marie Mahon
132 Stratford Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Dennis and Marie,

I expect that you are aware that I have called a meeting of interested parties concerning the Magee house at 150 Stratford. I hope to form a task group to work on a community response aimed at saving the house from either demolition or collapse. This initial meeting, set for this Thursday evening, July 29 at 7pm, is to determine the level of community interest and to focus on finding a way to prevent the loss of this historic structure.

This letter is to invite you to either attend or send a representative to this meeting. As the owner of the Magee house, you clearly play a key role in its fate. I sincerely hope you recognize that time is running out to save it. If major repairs are not undertaken immediately, the house will come down, either by demolition or collapse.

I apologize for not giving you more timely notice of this meeting. If you are willing to participate, but unable to attend this meeting, please let me know and we will be sure to schedule another meeting at your earliest convenience.

August 18, 1999

Mrs. Marie Mahon
132 Stratford Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Marie,

I appreciate your taking the time to meet with me two weeks ago. I understand and sympathize with your reluctance to consider selling the Magee house; but it is becoming clear that the city intends see this problem resolved soon, and I hope you understand that finding a buyer is in your best interest.

This letter is to let you know that I have found someone who may be interested in purchasing the house. He and his wife live in the neighborhood and have close ties here. They would be planning to use it as a single family home.

I hope you will allow me to introduce them to you and Dennis, and to show them the house. Please contact me and we will arrange a meeting at your earliest convenience.

March 6, 2000

Mrs. Marie Mahon
132 Stratford Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Marie,

I'm sorry that I have not seen you lately. I've been by several times, hoping to find you on the porch enjoying this wonderful weather. I have seen Dennis several times over the past months, and he said that you were not well; I hope that this beautiful early spring is helping you to recover your health.

I want you to know that the neighborhood's determination to resolve the issue of the house on the corner is unabated. The city also plans to see it resolved; but the neighbors are hoping for a more positive outcome than the one that the city seems headed toward. Of course, if you continue to refuse to meet with anyone on this issue, or to take steps to protect your interests, the outcome is not at all likely to be in your favor.

We, the concerned neighbors, will be meeting with representatives from the city, including city councilman Dan Cohen, at my house on Thursday evening at 7pm. The purpose of the meeting will be both to find out the status of the city's efforts, and to emphasize the interests of the neighborhood in seeing the structure saved and restored. You and Dennis are of course invited to attend, or to send a representative.

October 16, 2000

Mrs. Marie Mahon
132 Stratford Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Marie,

I'm sorry that I have not seen you all summer; Dennis has told me that you are not well. I am also disappointed that you have continued to refuse to meet with anyone on the issue of the house on the corner, as it limits the options for resolution.

I hope you understand that, when the property goes to a sheriff's sale, you will lose the property and it is very unlikely that you will receive any compensation.

I know that this seems unfair, but it is likewise unfair to your neighbors to allow a notable house to deteriorate into a public nuisance. You can not expect to be allowed to ignore this situation, any more than you can ignore the Bureau of Building Inspection and Housing Court.

We, the concerned neighbors, will again be meeting with representatives from the city at my house on Thursday evening, October 19, at 7pm. As before, the purpose of the meeting will be both to find out the status of the city's efforts, and to emphasize the interests of the neighborhood in seeing the structure saved and restored. You and Dennis are of course invited to attend, or to send a representative.