LETTERS

August 10, 2008, 7:09 AM / 0 comments

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Wal-Mart will be good for North Tonawanda

No story in recent memory has dominated the headlines like the announcement that Wal-Mart was interested in opening a store in North Tonawanda. While the Wal-Mart debate has raged on, it’s given me some time to reflect and evaluate all the issues concerning the building of a supercenter in North Tonawanda.

Let me state for the record: I support the building of the Wal- Mart Supercenter in North Tonawanda. I thought it might be good to clear that up in case anyone had heard differently.

Why do I support it?

First and foremost, it is a positive piece of development on a blighted piece of land. While some think we might “redevelop” Melody Fair, it’s not going to happen. Melody Fair will continue to sit unused, rotting and most likely rodent-infested. A brand new building on that site will be much more aesthetically pleasing. This development sends the signal to other developers that NT wants to work with them to bring in new business.

While opponents say that it’s not the right type of development, I would ask: How long has that site sat empty? Do we want to wait another 20 years before someone else thinks about building there? Also, after the Wal-Mart is built, you will see other shops and restaurants built on the site giving all more choices of places to eat and shop.

Secondly is the issue of revenue. Many like to argue over projected property tax revenue. Whether it will be $200,000 or $300,000 does not make a huge difference because right now the city might be generating approximately $40,000 in property tax on unused land. Any increase over that is a boon to the city’s revenue stream, property tax revenue that would be lost if Wal-Mart were to build across the street in Wheatfield.

Another reason is convenience of shopping. Instead of fighting Niagara Falls Boulevard traffic in an effort to drive to Amherst or Niagara Falls to shop, North Tonawanda residents will finally have the convenience to shop for a lot of their needs right here in the city. In addition, with gas over $4 a gallon, won’t it be nice to save some money on your fuel bills?

Opponents have also said that this project will hurt neighborhoods, specifically Wurlitzer Park and Martinsville. Well, no elected official lives closer to this project than my family and I do. No elected official has more at risk if they are wrong on this issue. In fact, the leadership of NT First, the anti Wal- Mart group, almost all live within sight of my house. Let me make a prediction: Overall housing values will increase in the long run in Wurlitzer Park after completion of Wal-Mart. Why? Because when people are looking for places to live, having shopping close by is one important factor. New residents will see the Wal-Mart and the surrounding shops and restaurants as a plus, not a negative.

As the Common Council president, I realize that the vast majority of you are frustrated by how long it’s taking to get shovels in the ground and get Wal-Mart built. So am I, and so are other NT city officials. Part of the delay has been the decision to make sure that every step of the planning process is being followed to the letter because we all anticipate a lawsuit filed by the NT First folks. They realize that they do not have the support of the city officials on this issue — I know there are at least three solid aye votes in favor of Wal-Mart on the Council — so they are seeking tactics to delay, delay, delay.

I refuse to let a small vocal minority hold up something that we want to see happen in our city.

Brett Sommer

North Tonawanda

Thanks for helping Historic Gardens event

The board of trustees of the North Tonawanda History Museum wishes to thank the patron sponsors of the Fourth Annual Historic Gardens Contest & Tour. The tour, which took place on July 26 and 27, combined our city’s rich and unique history with the beauty of gardens and the ingenuity of gardeners.

Thank you to the Garden Tour Committee, the first year in which such a committee assisted with the planning, and to Linda Hankinson, its chairwoman, and Gail Bille, Margaret Cheeley, Peter Trinkwalder, Dale Rogers and Suzanne Chank. Additional thanks to the Judging Committee, headed by Micki Trinkwalder and including Becky Burgasser, Kelly Molik and Lisa Gehring.

Thank you to the Gateway Harbor Commission for allowing us to set up our booth in Gateway Park on Sweeney Street and to the Downtown Merchants Association of North Tonawanda, the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas’ Tourism Committee and Project Pride for their valuable advice and support.

Special thanks to all participating gardeners and to the Historical Society of the Tonawandas for allowing us to include the gardens on the grounds of the Benjamin Long Homestead in this year’s tour.

Those unable to attend the official two-day tour may still purchase the guidebooks at the North Tonawanda History Museum’s 314 Oliver St. facility and may drive or bike around the city and learn of its history and enjoy floral displays along the way, merely excluding the rear gardens included in the official tour at some locations.

Thank you as well to our wonderful sponsors who made this year’s tour and contest possible: Humphrey House Antiques, Cipriano Realtors, Coffee Crossing, Fish Place, Matt’s Music, Pane’s Restaurant, Project Pride, and Peter E. Smolinski.

Donna Zellner Neal, executive director, North Tonawanda History Museum

North Tonawanda