Wal-Mart could spark revival
To the Editor,

The Bath Town Board has a tough decision to make. They will have to decide the fate of the community. Will we accept change and try to grow or will we continue to stagnate and watch as our buildings and business's crumble. I cannot believe that Wal-Mart will destroy downtown Bath. Could anyone tell me which bar, hair salon (Wal-Mart is not going to have a hair salon as there is plenty in Bath), bank, lawyer's office, restaurant or store that will close because Wal-Mart comes to Bath?

What they said was that it boils down to two sides: Green - Pro Wal- Mart are those who want low prices, more selections, convenience, jobs and tax benefits; Red - Anti Wal- Mart who don't want change, like a small community and small businesses which they think would be affected. However downtown Bath is dying as far as shopping goes, compared to a few years ago when it had clothing stores, shoe stores and pharmacies plus more specialty stores. Without Wal-Mart it is apt to continue to decline; with Wal-Mart there may be a revival due to more customers coming into the village.

The D & C reported that the Wal- Mart in Henrietta paid $234.079 in school taxes and $116.935 in local taxes.

I am disgusted with those who say that "they could ride the bus to Wal- Mart." I know that I could not carry the groceries for my family to or from the bus, so how would you expect the elderly, disabled and others to.

The Town Planning Board and Town Board need a plan for that area (this is not about Wal-Mart) that will be asthetically pleasing, with easy access in case there is more growth.

David Clark Bath