I guess its time for me to put in my .02

Friday, April 21, 2005

Dear Editor,

Oh well, guess its time for me to put in my .02 on this mess.

I live in the Park Square area, behind the NSPD and have lived here for all 43 years of my life. My parents lived in this neighborhood as my fathers family before him. As a matter of fact, I've been told over the years that my grandfather, Chester Minot, gave the property where the police station resides to the town years ago to build Bushee School. So, my family has been in this town for many years and continues to today.

I travel 146 as a daily commute to Providence and the traffic is a nightmare right now and should this Dowling Village go through, it will be a disaster in the happening. Our town resources such as the police and fire departments will be stretched to the limit and probably need to increase, which means higher taxes on a project some are pushing because it would mean more tax dollars in our rural town. Now, between this and the proposed new school, I can see my taxes going well beyond what I can afford and my having to find a new place to live.

I have watched the condo's being built on 146A North for a while now and cringe when I drive past. The thoughts of a large shopping mall reminds me of the mess on route 44 in Smithfield. I love this town based on the fact it is a nice, comfortable, rural town. If I wanted to live in a city, I would just cross over into Woonsocket, ok, maybe not Woonsocket, but a city, not a town, which is where I live right now. This Dowling Village project isn't the answer to our town, its the answer to a town council and administrator that in all reality, received envelopes with some cash in it to pass this project through. I hate the thoughts of "Old school politics," but I fear that is the situation here.

My family hopes that this somehow comes before the citizen of our town for a vote and not pushed through without careful consideration on the downfall of this. Many of our councilors and administrator live in the Slatersville area, so their being affected will be minimal at best. Well, maybe for meetings at the Annex they might see the fallout from this. I like to see the wildlife that exists in this area, and the peaceful summer nights.

There has to be something that we can do to prevent this from going any further than it has already.. I don't want Lowes or Staples in my backyard.. please tell me what we can do as citizens to prevent this mess.

Carol Griffin
NorthSmithfield, RI