My wife and I wrote Mayor Bill Trohanis and Alderwoman Sarah McKenzie, of Walden Township, to commend them for their leadership and vision in approving on first reading the proposed future grocery store project.
No question, it's a great economic move for Walden. The $200,000 a year in taxes it will bring in is the equivalent of 100 new houses, plus 200 cars without the impact. That's good economic business. It will also eliminate an eye sore.
I know people in Walden who live on their Social Security check alone. They can't afford new taxes. And a couple I know said when they want a steak dinner some evening it costs over $40 for steak and trimmings when bought at Pruetts. I can believe that! Their meat prices make a vegetarian out of me. Monopolies are never good for the consumer.
I do believe that the future of Walden will be bright if this is finally approved. Further, I believe those opposing the project will eventually see it as a great move that did not do the harm they feared.
Wilbourne C. Markham, Sr.
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Mr. Markham,
With all due respect, economic move is not always a good thing for small communities. Several things come to mind.
The "Village Center"? Take a look at the businesses in the center with the unnamed grocery store at the bottom of Signal Mountain. Does Walden need a smoke shop, nail salon, maybe another pizza-to-go place?
If the grocery store was so proud to come to Walden why haven't they named it publicly? Got to be a reason.
Mr. Markham, have you ever heard of a big box unnamed grocery store and village center opening up on a two lane road? Anywhere? The economic move you mention would go to infrastructure problems brought on by the unnamed store is all. Widening Taft Highway for instance. That one problem would in itself ruin the look and feel of Walden. Red Lights, turn lanes, and heaven forbid round-a-bout.
The owners of the closed BP service station and the small adjoining empty church are salivating at the thought of selling their properties at a higher price for other commercial ventures right on Taft Highway. The small woodworking business, closed restaurant and closed commercial building next to ACE Hardware are cleaning up their properties with the anticipation also.
People in my little neighborhood have said they are tired of driving off the mountain to shop. Even if there was a unnamed grocery store in Walden, these same people will be driving off the mountain each week to go to doctors appointments, get a hair cut, Walmart (people love going to Walmart) and work. Sort of a moot point.
Now, about Pruitt steak and fix-ins prices. There is no comparison between a Walmart or unnamed grocery store steak and a Pruitts fresh steak. None! Yes, I shop at Walmart, however, when it comes to a fresh cut of meat you will see me and a lot of others at Pruitts. And yes, I am a senior citizen on a fixed income. I for one would rather save my nickles and dimes and have a great steak rather than a steak that was strip mined in Texas, packaged and shipped to Tennessee.
In conclusion, Walden from the top of the "W" road to the Fairmont Orchard will all be commercial ventures. Red lights. Turn lanes. Walden would truly loose its "soul". This is exactly why the majority of people moved up here to get away from all of this. If all this happens it will look like Hixson Pike within a few years.
David Terry