Auburn woman deserves recognition for center

With great satisfaction did I read your article "Arts center gets closer to reality," Journal, March 14. However, there is a big omission in leaving out a very important person in this deal, Viola Wrigley. If it had not been for her, this deal would not have been consummated. When several prospective donors failed to pay their share, it was Mrs. Wrigley who stepped up to the plate even though she had given a large amount earlier.Now what is wrong here in Auburn? We have nominations for people who are important to Auburn, but Vi Wrigley is never mentioned. She is the very one who for 40 years has purchased with her money and her labor and time the blighted and most run down buildings in Old Town, fixed them up, put in people she knew could make a go of it, like Marybelle or Cafe Delicias and, by doing so, single handedly made it a viable place that people want to go to.I met Vi when I came to town 38 years ago in sweats, big working gloves, big hair, and pushing a wheel barrel while restoring the White House. 1 have not seen anyone of these most important people do anything close to that. Vi did the same for Downtown. She purchased with her money old run down buildings, fixed them up and either kept them or sold them. Ben and I purchased our building from her and she sold it for a price that I could afford. She did not hold us up or make a killing, like so many people like to believe.It is high time that someone in this town says thank you to her and appreciates what she has done for Auburn. Ben and I would like to be the first ones here to say, Thank you Viola Wrigley for all you have done for Auburn and your years here for helping us get our building, and for helping make the Performing Arts Center a reality. You have been one big asset for this town and I am proud to call you my friend. Again thank you.Margareta E. SwannAuburn