This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Community Update

Really? Lets just go with the facts and not cloud the waters with petty name calling. No matter how you make a living, if you own property in Patchogue you have a stake in this project. The Walmart project in East Patchogue is not a good location for a bundle of reasons as Dan commented above.  Does Walmart offer discounted products which especially appeal to lower income areas such as Patchogue? yes! However, the site location is terrible. Located in a residential area, off the hwy, near a hospital and an old two lane bridge. The town speaks of expanding the bridge but this is millions of dollars that the tax payers will foot to have a corporation operate successfully. Not cool! In addition Walmart will get a tax break and not have to pay taxes for at least 10 years . So much for being a contributor to our tax base! Walmart has also played dirty offering money to the town ( to help with bridge updates 300k a drop in the bucket) and $$ to the volunteer FD's . Some months ago, walmart  also wined and dined residents at La Bon Vie ( renters) in return for them saying they wanted the project at a town hall meeting. Most of these tipsy folks were not even sure why they were at town hall and why they were bussed there and made to stay for hours and hours in return for "cheap meal and drinks" most called a friend to get picked up as it was torture! A group of concerned residents and business owners have been fighting this project location for over 5 years. Sadly working together and trying to make a better community is somewhat of a lost cause. Although we own a home here, we see the writing on the wall and have had to weigh our families options. We will be moving elsewhere . Missing many of our fine friends/neighbors, beautiful property.. We will continue to fight this project but know that our investment in this community will be changing as the community is too. Having small children and having a poorly rated school district, drug dealers on the corner., houses in complete disrepair and trash all about. Except for when Tom the neighborhood hero picks up a lions share. 
As far as the racial and ethnic mix here well that is the world. When we moved here I was excited about the mix (even though I disagree with illegal immigration) . Marketing shows that our country will have a majority of Spanish and bilingual speaking residents in the coming decade . However the drugs , crime , dumping of homeless and low income is disturbing. Walmart does not care about the community welfare they are a corporation like most care about the bottom line ...ROI( return on Investment) . Is Patchogue A peach location for walmart corp to make money ? Yes! But it is hazardous and toxic to our community.  Come state your thoughts at Brookhaven town hall May 5th at 4:00 pm. We need a massive turn out to squash this project. Walmart can build in a dozen other locations. BJ's retrofitted a tired old building/crack den and is making a more positive impact ( as much as a big box can) why can't Walmart do the same? Why can't walmart retrofit the north side of Bellport outlets or an area on 112? Simple Because the current proposed site offers lots of tax breaks... As for the cry for jobs ... .. They would still employ people wether they are on 112 or bellport outlets.. No? 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?