Hot rumor
Route 53 sign sparks questions of a possible Sam's Club in Wheeler
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

PHOTO BY ROB PRICE Pictured above, a sign located on state Route 53 in the Town of Wheeler claims a Sam's Club store is coming to town; The Walmart corporation, however, said last wee it has no plans to build in the area.

WHEELER - The latest rumor to sweep central Steuben County is a soon-tocome Sam's Club along state Route 53 in the Town of Wheeler, about one mile north of the Kanona interchange of interstate 86.

But if you're expecting a giant Walmart-owned Sam's Club to occupy the vacant field any time soon. don't hold your breath. The Walmart corporation last week officially announced it has no plans to build a Sam's Club at the site. "We don't have a Sam's Club going up there," said Philip Serghini, spokesperson for Walmart in New York state.

The rumor originated with a sign erected alongside Route 53 that announces: "Coming soon, Sam's Club."

The sign was designed and manufactured by the nearby business Signs Plus, according to Vicki Presley, owner of the business. Presley in a recent interview with The Courier, declined to identify the individual or individuals who ordered the sign.

Her husband, Samuel Presley Jr., who serves as codes enforcement officer for the Town of Wheeler, also declined to discuss the issue. "I'm not able to comment on it at this time," he told The Courier.

Presley's brother, James Presley, a member of the Hammondsport village board, said last week the sign is located on a seven-acre lot that is owned by the estate of the late Samuel Presley Sr., father of the brothers and two additional brothers. James Presley identified himself as the executor of his father's estate. "It's a family matter," he said.

If so, it's a family matter that has generated a lot of local interest. Jean Derick, Wheeler town clerk, said last week she has received numerous inquiries regarding the possibility of a Sam's Club in the town of Wheeler. She added she knows nothing about the "Sam's Club" sign. "I wish I knew," she said.

The Walmart corporation recently abandoned plans to build a "superstore" along state Route 53 in the Town of Bath, as part of an overall scaling back of new construction plans. The store was in the process of an environmental impact study when Walmart withdrew the proposal.

Bath town Supervisor Fred Muller said he also has been questioned regarding the possibility of a Sam's Club in Wheeler. "I've gotten lots of questions," Muller said. "I don't know anything about it, though."