Wealthy agonize over swanky estate

While Doughoregan Manor is indisputably historic, there's something about this story that doesn't sit well with me. I think it's the fact that while the public will be negatively impacted by the owner's efforts to restore the place, either by funding an easement or by encouraging more development, the public won't get much in return. The estate remains private. It isn't a museum, visitors aren't allowed. The owners don't care for the public, which is within their rights, so why should the public care about them?
"If we're going to give something to them to help preserve their land, I'd rather give them a preservation easement than give them the right to develop more houses. They're both handouts," Cochran said.
If handouts are in order, maybe a concession or two is in order as well? How about opening up the place to the public for a few weekends a year? Throw us peasants a bone whydoncha? Doesn't seem too much to ask. After all, we are holding the purse strings.

Smithers, release the hounds.