| As a homeowner and taxpayer in East Longmeadow, I am concerned about the effects of uncontrolled growth on the town, and on the value of our homes. Any appraiser will tell you that as malls go in, and traffic counts go up, and police reports climbthat the value of residential property takes a hit. I am all for economic development in our town, but I don't think letting developers who live thousands of miles away change the character of our town is the way to grow. I understand that these people are trying to make a fast buck off their propertybut they have not done their homework, and they have forgotten that the people of East Longmeadow are not in favor of turning the town into one big parking lot. The Selectman's proposal to allow retail stores up to 1.5 times the size of a football field is reasonable. We should support them May 1 by voting Yes on Article 23. Beverly Beebe East Longmeadow |
