NORTH TONAWANDA
Group promotes Wal-Mart as catalyst
By Aaron Besecker
- NEWS NIAGARA BUREAU
Updated: 06/25/08 6:54 AM
NORTH TONAWANDA — The head of a local pro-Wal-Mart group told Common Council members Tuesday that they need to keep in mind the positives that a new retail outlet will bring to the city.
Ohio Street resident Tammy L. Godyn founded Lumber City Liaisons for Wal-Mart, an organization she said has more than 4,000 member families.
Godyn said she believes if the retail giant builds in North Tonawanda, it could be a catalyst to help the city’s economy.
“Wal-Mart is definitely not our savior,” she said, “and they do not claim to be.”
Earlier this month, the city Planning Commission concluded the environmental review of a proposed Wal- Mart, to be located on Niagara Falls Boulevard and Erie Avenue on the sites of the former Melody Fair theater and Bluebird Bus garage.
The commission’s recent vote sets the stage for review of the project’s proposed site plan later this year.
The Council also has a say in the development’s future. Wal-Mart needs the city to sell it a road on the site in order to complete its total ownership of the parcel.
Godyn’s presentation during the Council workshop came two weeks after members of an anti-Wal-Mart group made their case before the city.
Godyn, wearing a green “Wal-Mart Yes” sticker, touted what she believes will be the economic benefits of having a Wal-Mart in the city. She pointed to additional tax revenue, more jobs and improvements to a property many see as an eyesore.
First Ward Alderman Dennis M. Pasiak, who called himself “a firm advocate and proponent of choice,” said a new Wal-Mart will give city shoppers that opportunity.
Pasiak said Godyn’s presentation “[solidified his] mind-set.”
Second Ward Alderman Kevin J. Brick Jr. was the most skeptical Council member. Brick raised issues of traffic impacts and the city’s future infrastructure costs around the site.
Council President Brett M. Sommer, who said he is the Council member living closest to the proposed store, said he believes the development will be an asset that will raise surrounding home values because of the added shopping convenience for residents.
In other Council matters, officials said they are moving ahead with a plan to require North Tonawanda landlords who live outside Erie and Niagara counties to register with the city.
Additional steps are required before the law would go into effect, including a required public hearing that has not been scheduled.
Third Ward Alderwoman Nancy A. Donovan told Council members she wants a discussion scheduled about the maintenance of the city’s computer network.
Donovan said she is concerned because the city’s system recently went down for several days.
City Clerk Thomas M. Jaccarino said a server failed and that the city was “still able to function in most capacities.”
