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Preserving Open Space in New Hartford
By James Monroe Smith, New Hartford
As a former member of New Hartford’s Open Space Commission, I believe First Selectman Bill Baxter missed some significant points in a recent interview (Hartford Courant, September 19). Baxter failed to point out the synergy between open space preservation and economic development. Studies indicate that:
• Owners of small companies have ranked recreation, parks and open space as the highest priority in choosing a location for their new businesses.
• Corporate CEOs say that quality of life for employees is the third most important factor in locating a business.
• In a poll of 2000 people nationwide, factors listed as crucial for quality of life were low crime with safe streets and access to greenery and open space.
Because of his seeming preference for economic development (over open space preservation), Baxter is poised to fill the town with big-box stores. Then he will commit to open space the land that is left. By then, our best views and vistas will have been destroyed.
Baxter believes the town should not spend any money for open space preservation and that money for such preservation should come from other sources, including private philanthropy. Having spent many years as an executive director for nonprofits, it is unlikely that private corporations and foundations would contribute to such an important project without any reciprocal commitment from the town. If New Hartford wants to preserve open space it must put its money where its mouth is.
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