Voices from the community

Grand Ave. is blighted because . . .

To the Editor:

Hempstead Town Councilman Anthony Santino’s justification for this proposed boondoggle of a project is really infuriating ("Economic climate affecting downtown revitalization plans," Jan. 14-20).

The area he is constantly referring to as “blighted” once housed a thriving bridal store and a carpet store. Across the street, we had a shop selling nature-related collectibles, a bookstore and other nice, interesting stores. Why do you think they left? Could it be because of their location in an area continually referred to as “dilapidated,” “blighted,” “run down”?

How could Santino have thought we would be so stupid as to believe that a Barnes & Noble would choose to locate in an area described in these terms? When Kohl's was supposedly interested, Santino and others told us this would be a really bad idea, that we needed more variety. And these young professionals supposedly interested in buying apartments in Baldwin — why would they want to live in a “dilapidated,” “blighted” area? And the other proposal, a CVS — yes, that’s really just what we need. A CVS will not lure these young professionals to the area, either.

Just what we’ve worked for all these years: a five-story building looming over Grand Avenue, filled with transients, or another CVS ... and all the stores which were there and which might have opened there, discouraged and turned away by the thoughtless, really stupid words and actions of our political leaders.

I’ve lived in Baldwin 40 years, back when it was considered a truly great town to live in, but now we are looking to get out. Baldwin’s destruction is just about complete.

Marie Brown
Baldwin


Thanks supporters

To the Editor: