NORTH TONAWANDA: The Wal-Mart Divide

October 16, 2007 11:56 pm

— The city code lists the capacity for North Tonawanda’s Common Council chambers at 92 people. Tuesday night’s council meeting really pushed those boundaries, and likely exceeded them, as Wal-Mart was on the minds of many city residents.
Both supporters and opponents of the proposed North Tonawanda Wal-Mart supercenter were on hand Tuesday night to comment on the hotly-debated store.
Supporters seemed to outnumber opponents of the store during the public comment period. There was a support rally for the supercenter prior to the meeting, held by the Lumber City Liaisons for Wal-Mart at the Knights of Columbus hall on Erie Avenue.
Lumber City Liaisons leader Tammy Godyn spoke in favor of Wal-Mart coming to the city at the meeting.
“It is time that we get this area developed and back on our tax rolls,” Godyn said.
Wal-Mart is an opportunity the North Tonawanda Common Council shouldn’t bypass, Ernie Curto of Fairfax Avenue said.
“It’s time for no more lost opportunity in North Tonawanda,” Curto said. “Will your legacy be another missed opportunity?”
Jim Cahill of Fairmont Avenue was skeptical about Wal-Mart’s plan to create an entrance on Wurlitzer Drive, with traffic leading through Wurlitzer Park.
“There is no way that Wurlitzer Park is built to handle the traffic that is expected,” Cahill said.
Frank Budwey, owner of Budwey’s Supermarket in North Tonawanda, agreed that Wal-Mart’s “plan B” isn’t viable.
“Wal-Mart’s ‘plan B’ insults all of our intelligence,” Budwey said.
Budwey also spoke of the possible impact Wal-Mart could have on other city business, and was greeted with a round of boos by Wal-Mart supporters.
“If that happens, Budwey’s will lay off 60 employees,” Budwey said. “Tops will lay off 60 employees.”
Speaking on possible tax revenue and personal taxpayer savings, North Tonawanda Assessor Flora Carozzolo estimated taxpayers could save 10 cents per $1,000 a year on the city tax rate each year. Carozzolo estimated Wal-Mart’s assessment will be about $10 million.
Bill Ames of Crescent Drive argued that Wal-Mart is important to families on a fixed income.
“We need Wal-Mart,” Ames said. “I want to spend the tax dollars here.”
Contact reporter Phil Dzikiy at 693-1000, ext. 114.

Photos

A large crowd gathered at the North Tonawanda Common Council meeting Tuesday to debate the pros and cons of a proposed Wal-Mart store. The Tonawanda News