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Big Boxes and Small Minds
By Bob Davidson, Canton
Those opposed to the so-called big box stores in Canton have been well organized and vocal. They would have us believe that their campaign letters represent both the views of all Canton residents and the truth. Some of us doubt that either is true.
In an attempt to appear to be objective, they even list what they see as the pros and cons of the issue. Of course, they present the pros as inarguably true. They attempt to downplay or destroy the cons—hardly objective or helpful.
Voters should carefully consider what are claimed to be the negative impacts of development in Canton. Consider:
(1) Those citizens who claim objectivity and doing what is in the best interests of Canton paid an author of a book on how to defeat big box development to speak at an October 17 meeting. This guy makes his money by claiming to be an expert on … guess what: Stopping the evils of commercial development. Did anyone expect to hear anything other than a totally one-sided tale of woe from this "expert"?
(2) The claim is that Route 44 becomes a beautiful rural site once you leave Avon/ Simsbury and enter Canton. The best one can say for this impression is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Please try objectively to evaluate the mish-mash in Canton with the attractively designed and landscaped roadside along Route 44 in Avon.
(3) Local merchants will be hurt. Yes, those who cannot compete will lose business. Their customers' cost of living will be reduced by the savings which result from lower purchase costs as the result of better merchandising, lower prices, more variety, and the often one-stop shopping which sounds good to many.
(4) My right to an unchanged, local environment will be violated. Where in our constitution, or even in local ordinances, does such a right appear? Everyone with the money can buy all the land they want left unchanged. Only then do they have specific rights to its development.
(5) A "big box" store will employ people on a low pay scale. Except for reasons which sound like something out of the bigot monthly, why not provide people who, for lack of training, are only qualified for such jobs? Are we afraid "such people" will soil the rural environment?
(6) Increased traffic—what thorough traffic study confirms this imagined concern? Even if traffic is increased, for which there is no proof, it would only slow travel and allow rural lovers to enjoy the rural Route 44. With stores in Canton, those living in neighboring towns will not be driving through all of Canton to get to stores beyond our borders.
(7) Most "big box" stores abandon within five years. Don't tell Avon, Simsbury or West Farms Mall about this because they merely renovate, improve and grow—year after year.
There are advantages and disadvantages to incorporating even well-designed, attractive facilities for larger merchandisers to our wonderful town. Let's evaluate this without prejudice or misleading articles.
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