Posted at: 01/05/2012 11:49 PM
By: Dan Levy
SCHODACK - Two hundred new jobs and a huge boost to the community's tax base; who could possibly be against that?
In the Town of Schodack, there are plenty of people who would just as
soon see the Dollar Tree plant its warehouse roots some place else. That
was the view expressed by many in the community Thursday night at a
well attended town meeting at the Schodack Valley Fire House.
It was at that fire house where company executives from Dollar Tree ran
into a thick forest of opposition from many angry residents.
Many times during the evening, skepticism and cynicism boiled over.
"You're here to address our concerns," Don Wood, another Schodack
resident shouted toward White. "Our concern is noise. What are the pros
and cons? There are no pros for us. That's what you're missing."
Wood, interrupted White several times as the company officials tired to
speak, an uncomfortable exchange for many in attendance.
"I don't like this project at all," said a man standing in the back
of the fire house. "But I'm resigned to the fact it's going to happen.
So I want to know what's going on and I can't hear because you
(directing his comment at Wood) got your mouth open. So sit down and
shut up!"
I missed this meeting ~ What I want to know is:
1 - who was the land owner at exit 12 who took their land off the market? Why?
2 - will Schodack REALLY get any tax money from this project?
3- How will the PILOT program be broken down? 50% the first year with and incremental increase over the life of the program?
4 - why does Schodack only make the news when there is angry controversy?
5 -Does this report mean the project is dead? If so, who is the winner?
