MAY 20 - MAY 26, 2000
MAY 26, 2K
What do you say?
Good morning. Tom Clark has no column and today I could have used one, but what
do you say?
Then there is Wal-Mart. I got this in my mail.
The word is Wal-Mart is looking at three local towns Eldred (that's funny!)
Coudersport ( The most likely spot) and a third town that I forgot, but it's south of
here, NOT BRADFORD. Wal-Mart DOES NOT PUT STORES BACK-TO BACK! Unless of course its in a
large populated area of big spenders. You CAN QUOTE ME ON THIS- Bradford has two kinds of
shoppers. One is the "richer" group that flies to Olean, Erie, Buffalo, and
Rochester when they go shopping, just buying smaller incidentals in town. Than there is
the "poorer" group (walkers) who rely on the use of stolen shopping carts for
transportation. I doubt (actually I KNOW) they are not going to push a cart all the way
from West Washington St. to Foster Brook! Tops, Family Dollar, The Good Will, and Dollar
general is their limit.
What do you say to that?
And then there is what I am going to do in a few hours.
After travelling over 2000 miles by car following blind leads for a whole week, what do
you say when you finally reach the end of your journey? What do you say to someone when
you just might be about to change their entire life - especially when they have lived a
very long time and appear to be very satisfied with that life? If you were me, what would
your first words to that person be?
Think about that one for a moment.
After sixty-two years what do you say? Excuse me. You think you know who your are
but you don't.
I have had a lot of doors slammed in my face during my life, but this is one I hope is
not. What an interesting story this person has to tell.
Getting away from that problem, what do you say about Slocum?
He is not only a sludge king, but he is also a slug, and a worthless slug at that. What
is in the minds of the Republican leadership?
Slocum was given a gift when he got the light sentence he did. Resigning was one thing,
but still running is another. I don't know what to say except that they are playing right
into the hands of the Democrats, and maybe this time their arrogance and stupidity will
finally catch up with them.
Your comments are welcome at editor@mlrmag.com.
MAY 25, 2K
AND THE PEOPLE HAVE THEIR SAY ABOUT JIMMIE
Dear Bud, Maybe Weaver is lying about his feelings on Wal-Mart after all he
was lying when he said he knew nothing about the 43% tax increase. Once a liar always a
liar. Don't let him off the hook that easy. Your Friend
And there was still more:
I wish to offer my comment on the proposed Wal-Mart controversy that has now captured
the attention of our residents and a certain County Commissioner.
One of the things we need to understand is that a developer is discussing this to the
Foster Township Supervisors. Wal-Mart as of yet is "not in the loop"
thus far. The concept, therefore, reverts to a just a "preliminary
discussion"....
AS we well know, TOPPS has come to an agreement with St. Bernard's regarding the expansion
of their Bradford Store, to include noise abatement, appearance, environmental impact
studies, etc. despite it's extremely close proximity to theChurch. I find
therefore that in this new millenium, folks
simply do not "plunk" a store in peoples front yards. Traffic
patterns, pact to the surrounding neighborhood, etc. is worked out closely with the people
to insure co-existence. How else do they succeed in erecting new stores?
If I still am not making sense....let's look at this idea: When it appears that
the Supervisors are now in discussion with Wal-Mart (versus the developer) perhaps the
Township should confer with other local cities where Wal-Marts were recently erected, to
see how the residents, and Wal-Mart came to (and followed up, and made
good) their agreement, as I am sure the same arguments we have emerged when
they first proposed building a site in their Neighborhood. (Much like we did
when FCI McKean was first proposed to the area) It is apparent that somehow,
those cities came to an agreement and to avoid re-inventing the wheel, a lot of those
findings in turn can be used as a basis for the decision to build. In an
extreme scenario, even a Petition or Census could be offered to view across-section of the
opinions and desires of the Residents, in turn presenting a somewhat fair decision.
Patience, and tolerance, has its virtues.
In closing, bear in mind that the supermarkets that currently exist here seem to have
adopted a "wait and see" attitude regarding the quality of merchandise and
variety. Don't believe me? The Deli portion of the TOPS in Olin is as big as the Jubilee
store here! ...The Wal-Mart folks will see this and realize that
before they even erect such a facility they must offer something different, yet
attractive. It has already been mentioned it will boost the economy (tax
base) not to mention the dozens of jobs they in turn will offer, thus enhancing the
economy even further. Best of luck with the idea, I will be the first to show up at the
ribbon cutting...
And there was more:
Jim Weaver only looks out for Jim Weaver. If Wal-Mart was going into someone else's
front yard instead of his you wouldn't hear a thing from him. This is laughable.
Your comments are welcome at editor@mlrmag.com
MAY 24, 2K
Poor Jimmie
Good morning again. I guess many of you liked yesterday's article. Even Bill
Belitskus.
It is indeed amazing to see
commissioner Weaver stand up for anything besides his pay raise. As an ordinary
citizen, he certainly seems to understand how Wal Mart's proposed development could
affect quality of life issues in his community or at least HIS property values.
Pollution from noise, night lighting, and increased traffic caused by
inappropriate development in urban and rural residential areas does diminish quality of
life and property values. I have to say he has been less than sympathetic to
our requests for help over the last four years.
My neighbors and I certainly
understand the impact of noise on our rural homes in the Lantz Corners area since
Willamette forced its wood chip mill into our community. In September of 1997, the
McKean County Reassessment Board voted that noise from Willamette's chip
mill devalued our properties. As Marice Goddard, former Department of
Environmental Resources Director, stated: "Noise is the most direct form of
pollution, you don't have to wait for it to reach you."
Willamette's chip mill noise pollution
reached us today inside our home 3/4 of a mile away from the chip mill. Mary and I
spent the day listening to Willamette grind up logs inside our living room. Mary was
home from work grieving over the loss of her father who died Monday night from a
stroke. So much for Willamette being a good neighbor.
And so it goes on. I am still laughing out loud. I can see him there all
red faced getting mad because no one wants to see it his way. But The Error reports
that the people actually welcome the store.
How is it that Jimmie is out of step with the people he supposedly represents?
Maybe he has always been out of step and maybe the people are finally realizing
that he has always only represented himself and his pay raise. Maybe. Maybe but I doubt
it.
It is unfortunate, Bill, that this sort of thing only happens when it happens
to someone else.
And by the way, I was the one who spearheaded the fact that the property values
were damaged by the chipper mill. Looking upon his home as part of his
"retirement" I can understand the dilemma he is in. Now he will have to live off
of four instead of five.
Have a nice day and keep your blood pressure down, Jimmie. Your comments are
welcome too. Just e-mail me at editor@mlrmag.com.
MAY 23, 2K
Welcome back Wal-Mart
Good morning. I love The Error! I really do. On mornings like this it
actually gives me material. I have to thank them and especially MIKE SCHREIBER
/Era Reporter, for writing such a complete article.
My wife must be impressed today. We were at J-Mart (Aunt Rose used to call it that) on
Sunday and I pointed to the area across the street and told her that is where Wal-Mart was
supposed to go. She scoffed. She said it was probably just a rumor and wondered why a good
company like Wal-Mart would even want to come here. I was forced to agree with her and
reading the article in the paper, I have to ask the question once more. Why?
For once, I applaud the township supervisors. It seems they have an idea of what they
are doing, but in the midst of the questions, where was their solicitor?
From the impression I got from the article, it seemed like they were going it alone
without any legal presence to help them with the questions. What do they pay Dickie for?
Then the major opponent was none other than Jim Weaver himself, and he sounded
prepared. It must be because it is so close to his house that he decided to swing into
action. (We know that for sure) because he is, or at least always was, a strong proponent
of any new industrial or retail development regardless of where it was going or who it
would hurt. It must be strange for him to put on the same shoes as Bill Belitskus for a
change. But I doubt that he will see it quite that way.
If the impression I got was true, it seems that Wal-Mart is not asking for LERTA.
"What is LERTA?" you ask.
It is the deal that Jim has always supported for new developments that keeps businesses
like Keystone Powder Metals, Bradford Forest Products, and a bunch more from having to pay
local, county, and school taxes. And with Sandra Rhodes in another article estimating
school taxes will increase about 3.5 mills, just imagine if they had ever paid taxes and
what we might have been spared.
But as of now Wal-Mart doesn't want that. And if that is true that also means that they
will be paying school taxes, too. And if that is true, that means we have a big business
to help share the load for once instead of it always falling to the little guy.
I am sure that Jim Weaver and his lovely wife do not want that big ugly building in
their front yard, almost literally. I am also very sure how Bill Belitskus has felt for
going on six years. I listened to him and other residents for four years about the
chipping mill. I always sympathized with him. I wouldn't want that noise across the street
from me. Heck. I probably wouldn't want the Wal-Mart either.
Unfortunately, it has to go somewhere and this time it seems like it is going in Jim's
front yard.
Three cheers for the supervisors for a change. They aren't afraid of growth and
Wal-Mart with its evils is still good. Wal-Mart does drive out some businesses in thriving
areas. But this is not a thriving area.
What it will do is provide competition and some low prices for a change. And if some
businesses fail as a result, so what. That is the American way and what is free trade with
China all about anyway?
Reading the article made me smile. Reading Jim's comments made me laugh. Seeing how
prepared he was impressed me. And knowing that now, for the very first time in his life
probably, that he is in the same boat with a Bill Belitskus makes me literally roll on the
floor with laughter.
How does it feel to take up the mantel of the man you called a nut and a kook over and
over?
Funny how life does that to you.
Comments are welcome at editor@mlrmag.com.
MAY 22, 2K
Damn! I've Got Mail! BY TOM CLARK
It's time to clean out the mailbox. With the multitude of questions I
receive in my daily e-mail, it is nearly impossible to answer each
individually.
What follows are the Top 20 inquiries that are asked of me by faithful
readers. To save space, I will omit the questions and only print my
responses.
1. Yes, I am the same. Class of '75, BAHS, Student Council President.
Haven't done squat since to make this a better world.
2. She's let three bonehead enactment's happen in her first five months
in office. I, too, am afraid to see what happens during the rest of her
term as Mayor.
3. Yes, but never convicted. It turned out the girl was over 18 after
all.
4. What are you, some kind of reta...er, moron? Everyone knows that
Genghis Khan's burial site is lost. While looking at beautiful scenery
in Inner Mongolia, he said, "This shall be my burial place." He died a
natural death during a campaign against western Xia in 1227 A.D. Mongol
tribes were charged with guarding his tomb. Time passed, the forest
grew over and all traces of the tomb were lost. Later, near Echinehoro
("Grave of the Leader"), a grand mausoleum was built. His body was to
believe to be in the back part of the main hall with his 3 wives.
However, historians have proved that his body was lost in the original
tomb. The body of his 4th son and that son's wife lie in the East Hallof the mausoleum, in
the West Hall are displayed the warrior's weapons.
5. The Best of Sam and Dave (O.K., I'll give you this one. What was the
8-track tape playing in the Bluesmobile when Elwood picked up Jake at
the Joliet prison?)
6. How the Hell should I know?
7. Alexander Gatskevich, Marni Raab, Marilyn Horne, Alexndra Deshorties,
Kelli Rabke and Lisa Mandlehorn.
8. Try using less spit when you lick the paper.
9. Here's where you are wrong. According to the Official Baseball Rules,
7.04c, a fielder, after catching a fly ball, falls into a bench or stand, or falls across
ropes into a crowd when spectators are on the field; Or, a fielder or catcher who reaches
or steps into, or goes into the dugout with one or both feet to make a catch, and if he
holds the ball, the catch shall be allowed.
10. Thanks for thinking that I am worthy of a street naming in Bradford. There once was
a Clark Street in Bradford, but it was wiped out, along with the rest of my childhood
stomping grounds, to build the U.S. 219 Expressway past Bradford.
11. Try putting a dryer sheet inside your smelly sneakers.
12. No, thank you. I've never even been on a horse, let alone try astunt like that.
13. Because they can't get used to saying "Superior" after
"Mother".
14. A single strand of #32 wire is used on each output for triac protection. If a lamp
or socket becomes shorted during operation, this fuse link will open and the triac will
not be damaged.
15. Try leaving it in the oven for another 10-15 minutes at a reduced temperature, say
250. The crust should be a more golden color without getting harder.
16. No, no, a thousand times no! Where were you raised, on South Center Street? The
fish fork always goes to the right of the serviette (napkin) and to the left of the dinner
fork. Geez, man, get a grip!
17. And the girl said, "Wharf? I thought you said go down on the dwarf!"
18. That's classified info between Ollie, Ronnie and me.
19. Yes, an 11th Commandment of "Thou shalt not blast thy f$%king rap music from
thy car strereo on public streets", is a great idea. Good luck with the Pope on that
one, I'm behind you all the way.
20. I don't know, why don't you ask someone in the Genetic Research field? I'm just a
stupid sign artist. Well, folks, keep those questions coming. Send them to me at tcclark@2-cool.com. . 'Til next week...
MAY 20 & 21, 2K
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