DEAR MAYOR, MR.WILLEY AND COUNCIL MEMBERS:

I AM WRITING IN SUPPORT OF THE "BIG BOX " ISSUE

I MOVED HERE IN 1983 FROM THE "THE OTHER SIDE". I WAS NOT USED TO SMALL TOWN LIVING. I HAVE ADJUSTED SOMEWHAT OVER THE LAST SIXTEEN YEARS BUT STILL AM CONFUSED AS TO WHY PEOPLE AROUND HERE ARE SO OPPOSED TO HAVING A VARIETY OF SHOPPING. MY FRIEND AND I TRAVEL ACROSS THE BRIDGE OR TO SALISBURY AND DOVER AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK AND SOMETIMES TWO OR THREE TIMES.I LIKE THE VARIETY AND I WOULD LIKE TO SHOP HERE BUT THIS TOWN DOES NOT ALWAYS PROVIDE THE TYPE OF STORES OR PRICES I'M LOOKING FOR. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A TJ MAX, PIER ONE IMPORT, FAMOUS BRAND SHOES, MICHAELS CRAFTS, JOE.BANKS CLOTHING AND WOW, HOW ABOUT A SAMS CLUB? THAT WOULD SURELY CAUSE A BIG FUSS! ALSO A DECENT AFFORDABLE RESTAURANT SUCH AS : APPLEBEES, TG FRIDAYS, RUBY TUESDAY OR OLIVE GARDEN. WE DON’T NEED RED LOBSTER, WE NEED VARIETY! ! !

IF THE PEOPLE ARE SO CONCERNED WITH THE TRAFFIC AND THE LOSS OF THE "SMALL TOWN" EFFECT, THEN THEY SHOULD BE LOOKING AT ALL THE DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSES AND TOWNHOUSES THAT ARE GOING UP. I DON’T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS, EXCEPT, WHERE ARE ALL THESE PEOPLE SUPPOSE TO SHOP? I REMEMBER WHEN GIANT FOOD AND WALMART WANTED TO FIRST COME HERE AND THERE WAS SUCH A UPROAR AMONG CERTAIN PEOPLE THAT IT TOOK QUITE A WHILE BEFORE IT WAS FINALLY APPROVED. NOW YOU CAN’T FIND A PARKING PLACE BECAUSE THEY ARE ALWAYS BUSY. WE NEED THEM JUST LIKE WE NOW NEED SOME MORE VARIETY. I AM VERY SURE THAT THESE TYPE OF STORES WILL NOT HURT THE "SPECIALTY" STORES IN TOWN AND WOULD ALLOW THE RESIDENTS AND TOURIST TO SPEND THEIR MONEY IN TALBOT COUNTY INSTEAD OF GOING TO ANNAPOLIS, DOVER OR SALISBURY ALL THE TIME.

I URGE YOU AND THE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO LISTEN TO THE NEEDS OF THE AVERAGE SHOPPER..

SINCERELY,

KATHLEEN G. WANNER

28176 OAKLANDS ROAD

EASTON, MD 21601