The Town of Easton

Town Council

14 S. Harrison St.

P.O. Box 520

Easton, Md. 21601

Dear Councilmen;

This letter is in response to several articles appearing in the Star Democrat, regarding issues related to the big box moratorium. Although we are not residents of Easton, we certainly are an interested party in as much as most of our day-to-day activities channel through Easton --- even the radio station we listen to daily (WCEI) comes to us from Easton.

The following are some answers to the questions posed by Town Attorney Christopher Kehoe:

Question: Is additional big box retailing necessary for the town's future needs?

Ans: Certainly Not' -- Easton and Talbot County have continued to grow with the amount of retailing that presently exists. In todays mobile society, retail stores do not need to be "in your back yard". We have experienced the closing in of big box retailing and were extremely happy to find Talbot County to get away from this overwhelming, hectic environment. We find it far more sensible to visit where our shopping needs can be met rather than have them close, whether we need them or not.

The commission can best make a determination of citizen needs by looking at what other communities have done in the same situation and what the results were of that decision --- did it improve the community or make it less desirable? Poling of residents (as being done by the newspaper articles) is another tool to be utilized - --however, beware of surveys (sponsored by developers) that are conducted in shopping center parking lots.

To those who say that Easton is a regional marketing center for the Mid-Shore, the reply was inadvertently demonstrated recently by the committee arrangements for the Maryland Municipal League Conference in Easton. They did not take the participants to tour Wal-Mart, Lowes or Giant Food ---NO, NO the participants were treated to horse drawn carriage rides, specialties prepared by local chefs, tours of the downtown shops and entertainment at the Avalon Theater. This is what we want visitors to be aware of since this is what we want to be!

Regarding the importance of imposing location and other physical characteristics on the big box developers, there is no "spoon full of sugar" that will make the harmful effects (i.e. pollution, traffic, law enforcement, noise, ugliness,etc) easier to swallow. "You can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear." We have NEVER seen a big box location, anywhere, look attractive. Lets not kid ourselves about that.

Question: What are the fiscal benefits and detriments to the town which will be associated with additional big box retailing?

Ans: We can not think of any fiscal benefits to the town from big box retailing. If one looks at the revitalization of Baltimore or Annapolis, improvements being made do not include clearing for big box stores. Big boxes are kept as far away as possible to not detract from revitalization plans. The big boxes do provide Jobs, but what kind of Jobs are these? Certainly not the kind that will uplift a community. Rather, they are low paying with few benefits, mostly part time, and intended for a transient type work force since, for the most part, they offer no future. Do you want more of this for Easton and Talbot County? We hope not!

This letter can not cover all the questions concerning Big Box development, but we have covered a few we feel most sensitive to. A last point is directed to those that feel rights of land ownership are violated by limiting and controlling development. And that is, all property in this country is held under an implied obligation that the owners use of it shall not be injurious to the community. In the instance of more Big Box Stores in Easton (or Talbot County), no matter how you dress them up, it is quite evident that they WILL be injurious to the community.