I don't know why they bring Nigro into this.  Nigro does not own any of the decrepit property, that belongs only to Walmart.  Drive through the parking lot, look at the vey nicely landscaping in and along the edges of Nigro land.  Those planters with flowers.  Nice bushes.  And appopriately mulched.  Walmart has no flowers that I can see.  If you behind the other plaza buildings (we followed some turkeys last fall), nice fencing, it's clean.  The area just in from Patton is clean, though I admit I'm concerned what will happen after Walmart's competition opens up.  But you don't see litter back there, not like in the back of Walmart.  They don't have a fence in the back of it bordering the end of the back yards, I think I'd say it borders Patton Rd and Pyle Rd.  People might have back yard fences, but actually I think it's a slope from the houses down to the lot behind there.  

If we can keep the Gazette focused on some of the more serious problems in Rotterdam just maybe the town board will take notice and do something about them. After all some of the articles if they're not too flattering may cost them some votes come election time.

I agree that the Gazette should be reporting more and following up as well. But that is what we could use this forum for. We should recruit more people to voice their concerns and ideas here. Then we can print copies and send them to the town. That's what BK did about this fence. There is an 'invite a friend' at the bottom of these pages. We should send them out to all we know and see what happens.

As far as Nigro being involved in what Wal-Mart is doing....unless Nigro has a written agreement with Wal-Mart, whether they own the land or not, than Nigro would really carry no weight here. And like MC1 stated, Nigro keeps it's property up nicely.

As far as my suggestions for a new fence....although a brick/stone fence would definately be a sturdy structure, it would be in no time at all that there would be grafitti all over it. Then we would be faced with yet another problem. As far as another stockade/wood fence...well we know that just doesn't work. I'm not a fan of chain link fences, but perhaps in this instance that is all that would endure the most damage. I believe it should be chain linked with a heavy presents of trees and shrubs. Live ones of course! Remember people, in just a few short weeks there will be a bright new, shinny 'Thrift Store' right along with Wal-Mart! I say chain link fence.

I also say, close off the back entrance from the Hannaford Plaza to Patton Drive. Why should this quiet, family neighborhood have to endure the heavy traffic and the riff raff that Wal-Mart brings in? It has stopped the neighborhood kids from riding their bikes due to the increased traffic load. Not to mention the cost of speed bumps on Argo Blvd because a kid got hit by a speeding car a few years ago. Lets follow Constantino's example....he use to live on Dolan Drive, which use to connect Rt7 and Dunnsville Road. He had the Dunnsville Rd side closed off due to the increased cross over traffic. And it has been that way ever since. So Constantino doesn't live there anymore, so why not open it up? Obviously it is due to the economic difference between the folks who live in Coldbrook to the ones who live on Dolan Drive. Plan and Simple.

I did, and thank you, bumble.  That was before our last re-org, though, considering the hacking, etc.  You know, one thing that really amazes me about this that I never caught before?  Besides the store manager having a name that sounds like he needs to grow up, it also sounds like a name given to someone who is going to give you a load of bull each time you talk to him.  
Store Manager Chip Plowman ?  He's a Chip off the old block, and when he's finished talking, you'll be plowing it, man, alright.  This was supposed to be all taken care of by Memorial Day, right?  of 2009???

Of course we all know Walmart does not hire anyone with any intelligence, this Chip must be totally uneducated.  Remember, despite how he insisted that Walmart pays rent to Nigro.  Anyone who is intelligent and educated knows that a deed is a document proving ownership and he still denied that Walmart owned the property when told of the deed available on line at the county website, and of course on file in the clerks office.

Obviously that vandalism think is a cop out excuse for their cheapness.  They have security at the store.  What was the security person doing while the vandalism was going on with the cameras aimed at the fence?  Was the security person sleeping on the job?  And if there was vandalism there has to be a police report.  

BK - you are correct about old 'Chip off the old block'. Walmart's corporate just thows these 'young, brainwashed' people in these store, like they are little machines. They tell them just enough to run a store, but not enough to be/sound intellegent enough to be really efficient.

MC1 - Yes you would think that there would be a police report regarding vandals, but you must remember, that the last thing that Walmart wants is more bad press about increased crime when they move on in. So 'no' there probably is no police report. I'd be pleasantly surprised if there was. Although it is easy enough to find out, right from the police dept. itself.

BK,

Here's an unofficial election, a vote.  Let me be the first to vote to designate you the unofficial spokesperson on behalf of all of us good hardworking people, particularly on this side of town, in relation to our concerns about certain unsightly properties.  Woops, make that singular--property.

By chance, since you went to the town meeting with the printed pages from this board (before it was hacked, probably by Walmart), do you have a copy yourself?   Or can you get, this sounds odd, a copy from the town clerk (if you printed one for the town but not a second one as no one knew this would be hacked).

As spokesperson, it would be nice to have a Dear Editor letter, actually maybe even one of those longer columns they put in on Sunday, summarizing what has been going on, the quotes we had posted after some of us had talked with managers and district people at Walmart.  

Anyone have any connections to the police department to get figures on how many times Walmart has reported the supposed vandalism that could report it to BK for an editorial?  Oh, don't worry, I think we all know that the number of reports is a big 0.  

The town seemed to say months ago, and it was repeated in this article, that they will use the bad property condition as a bargaining chip in Walmart's quest to get a building permit for their remodel.  If they are going to start this work soon, I would think they have the permit in place already, do you think?  

I will be interested, once the remodel starts, if the building permit is posted on the windows near the front entrance.  When we've obtained a permit for something or other, we had to post it in our window.  We will have to watch for that, particularly after they start work, after all, the information in a building permit I believe is public information by law, might need a FOIL however.  

Quoted from mikechristine1

Anyone have any connections to the police department to get figures on how many times Walmart has reported the supposed vandalism that could report it to BK for an editorial?  Oh, don't worry, I think we all know that the number of reports is a big 0.

You don't need any connections with the police dept. Anyone can go in and ask for the information on the crime at Wal-Mart. Or anywhere else for that matter. That is what was done when they were proposing the super center on the triangle.

And I vote for BK also.

I have no problem writing to the paper.  I just need to get my subscription.  And if you guys (and gals) are going to start voting for me, then maybe we figure out a way to get our ideas out as a platform for someone here to actually make a difference in the community, even running for a local office.  Either that, or we can just be "Gadflies."

...btw, what is a gadfly, never caught the definition...?

BK...did you mention someone running for office? Well, here ya go...this will be a good start for you. Start getting your name out there! We'll support you...right everyone?

Hey, let's get creative here.  Can anyone come up with the words for the acronym F.E.N.C.E. that would fit the purpose?   It can really only be five words other than maybe an article in between, sometimes articles are reflected in an acronym, sometimes not.

Friends
Exhausted with
Neighborhood
Clutter
Enough!

I think gadfly is similar to squeaky wheel


Dear Editor

Is Walmart a Good Neighbor?   NOT     (good title)

It was admirable to bring our plight the public through your newspaper article of [date], "[enter the title]."  The written word however does not provide an adequate image to the readership; it would have been nice to have included a couple photos.  Be it known, photos of the unkempt Walmart property can be found at [website address and perhaps include directions to the specfic topic] for readers to view.  Patton Drive is a little-travelled street so most people wouldn't be aware of the extent of the Walmart eyesore outside of the residents who use the street to get to there homes (Patton Drive extends into the Coldbrook development as well), or take daily walks.  This eyesore surely devalues the neighborhood and the home values of the neighbors who work so hard to keep up there property and keep it looking nice.  Why do people have to see such a sight upon opening their drapes in the morning?  This has been an ongoing concern for several months, [here BK, if you have a copy of the "old" board, refer to it, cite dates, names, etc], residents have spoken to Walmart store and district management and promises have gone unkept.  And Chip insists that Walmart pays rent rather than owning the property.  There are other unsightly properties but they've been vacant, while this is occupied by a very wealthy company.  And the manager claims they are looking for someone to take care of the grounds; there are many landscapers and garden/lawn care companies ready for work at a moments notice.  And the manager is providing shoplifters and others an easy escape route--right into the neighbors front yards--how inviting--by keeping an opening (not replacing one section of fence) back there rather than closing it up! ....


OK, BK, continue on and/or insert other valuable information.    

By the way, I just thought of this.  Surely there was a requirement at the time of building the store, that there needed to be a fence behind there.  The failure to have a continuous fence (the store manager's decision to leave one spot open) obviously is a violation of all permits granted to build the store.

Dont forget Walmart's new plan to bank the 'unbanked' and serve the 'underserved'.....who are they serving???

Are we underserved and by whom are we underserved????

It is an election year...my tally sheet is still empty and the scales are unjust......

Very good point Senders! Let Walmart know that they are 'underserving' US!!! Very good point. Take their own words and throw them right back at 'em!