To:            robert.karge@eastonmd.com

We are going to be among the unpopular few in stating that: 1) the Easton area needs more shopping options, and, 2: the "Big Box Moratorium "is an unnecessary and useless exercise that is being orchestrated by a few special interests, and is taking advantage of people's innate fear of development. The underlying message is that a moratorium now will develop into a permanent ban later. The Town Council has formulated an impressive list of questions, some of them raising very good points, but there are some other things that citizens should consider while forming their opinions.

For instance, why does it seem we are being led to believe that it is only retail development that is going to be the downfall of Eastern Shore life? Whose interests are the moratorium promoters REALLY looking out for? Where were these guardians of the environment and "quality of life" for the past 5, 10, or 20 years. while family farms were being carved up and the land stripped to make housing subdivisions, country clubs, and condominiums? Could it be that some of them were blinded by dollar signs from the increase in population and tourist trade, and it's only now, when there's a threat of competition for those dollars that they all want to cry "foul"?

The term "quality of life" is often mentioned, and it seems that when most people use it, they have a Norman Rockwellian image of golden wheat fields, farm pastures and wide open spaces. But all one has to do is start in downtown Easton and drive in any direction for a few minutes, and it will be seen that that type of "quality of life" has already been compromised. Although Easton still promotes itself as a small town, by most standards Easton is no longer a "small town". The people are here, the traffic is here, and the urban sprawl is here. A moratorium now is like closing the barn door after the horse has escaped. Want to discourage retailers from coming to town? Limit their potential market first. But we don't hear anything about that. Housing developments and condos keep popping up. How about a moratorium on that?

Traffic problems and congestion are another scare tactic often used by big box opponents. Another quick look around will show that traffic is already a problem in Easton, and its not because of any big boxes. The so-called "bypass" bypasses nothing, and it can easily take up to an entire lunch hour to negotiate a simple trip across town to run a couple of errands. Salisbury has its mall; so does Annapolis, as does Dover. The Kent Island area is a short drive across the bridge from Annapolis, and they have their outlet center. Its very unlikely that many people from those areas will make a special trip to Easton to shop. So who will be the primary beneficiaries of additional stores? Easton and Talbot County residents, who already live here.

Anyone who has recently spent a hour or so at Lowe's waiting to get checked out and loaded, or has waited in line at the Giant supermarket while their ice cream turned to ice soup can't realistically believe that the local economy can't support additional retail outlets; Along with the sheer convenience of nearby shopping, retail development would provide jobs for school students, second incomes for some families, and it would help keep local money in the local economy (instead of spending it in Delaware or Salisbury).

Are we advocating another Kent Island, or Annapolis Mall area? Certainly not. But it sure would be nice to have additional options available that are open past 12 noon on a Saturday, or later than six o'clock on a weekday, when many of the locally owned businesses seem to roll up the sidewalks.

Citizens would do well to think hard before jumping on the big box moratorium bandwagon out of fear. Don't be fooled into thinking it will preserve some idealized quality of life. All it will do is limit our economical options and put many people at the mercy of a few.

Thank you for your time.

James and Susan Coleman