Wal-Mart impact would extend beyond Bath

Pat Eaton identified me by name in her letter to the editor on June 24 and I would like to respond.

Pat, it is disappointing that you decided to single out Beth Miller and myself as being opposed to the Wal-Mart Supercenter. I know that you're aware of the large number of residents who share our concerns so I see no reason for a personal attack. I will say that Beth Miller is an active member of the Bath Peace & Justice Group and that she should not be faulted simply because you have not heard of her.

As for me, I should be limiting my activity to downtown Hammondsport? Pat, this is about Hammondsport: the proposed Wal- Mart location is only 6 miles from downtown. It is also about Urbana, Avoca and Wheeler, which are only 10 miles away from the proposed site. Don't forget about Prattsburg, which is 17 miles away. There are 9 Wal-Marts within 50 miles of Bath. Those towns also have cause for concern. They were promised a lot of increased economic activity due to their own "local" Wal-Mart and now yet another Wal-Mart is being built to compete with them. Pat, this is a Bath issue and this is a larger than Bath issue.

I am surprised that you would rebuke me for criticizing the Town Board for the meeting of May 14. Perhaps you are not fully aware of the proceedings? The Town Board was alerted that a large number of people wished to attend the meeting. Accommodations were requested and denied. Open Meeting Law clearly states that, "it is essential to the maintenance of a democratic society… that the citizens of this state be fully aware of and able to observe the performance of public officials and attend and listen to the deliberations and decisions that go into the making of public policy." Maybe your rights as a citizen were not obstructed on May 14, but that is not the case for some 50 people who were forced to stand in the hallway… or leave.

Pat, you wrote, "most of us have attended over crowded meetings before and lived through it!" But I've also repeatedly heard you say that you have never seen downtown Bath look this bad. Could there possibly be a relationship there? After all, if the public officials of Bath are not responsive to the concerns of their citizens then there is no impetus for change.

The Town Planning Board is meeting on July 3 at 7:30pm to coordinate the Wal-Mart's SEQR process. The Bath NY Group has invited 250 concerned residents to attend and to submit a written statement to the Planning Board. We have again notified the town officials of our expectations for a large turn-out. If they are not responsive, then they will be breaking the law.

Bath needs change and the people of Bath want change. If you want a Wal-Mart, I'm sure you know where to go, and sadly that's any direction.
Michelle Fahmy
Hammondsport