Cichy Press Conference on proposed Convenience Store Permit – Updated!
I just returned from a Press Conference that I had received an earlier email on from the Ed Cichy for Toledo City Council District 2 Campaign:
Cichy Calls On Council To Give Neighborhood A Say In Convenience Store Permit
Toledo, OH – Toledoans deserve a say in matters that impact their neighborhoods. On Tuesday, City Council will vote on whether or not to
grant a Special Use Permit to a convenience store at 4338 South Detroit Ave., on the corner of South Detroit and South Byrne. City Council candidate Ed Cichy (”chee-he”
asserts that residents of the surrounding neighborhood have not had a chance to voice their concerns in the application review process. Cichy is rallying neighbors to urge Council to refer the matter back to the Plan Commission and allow for further public input.
Cichy, a Democrat running in District Two, will hold a press conference with residents of the surrounding neighborhood today, Sunday, September 2, at 2 P.M. at the site of the proposed store at 4338 South Detroit Avenue, on the corner of South Detroit and South Byrne.
Copy of Statement read by Ed Cichy follows:
On Tuesday, Toledo City Council will vote on whether or not to grant a Special Use Permit to allow a convenience store at this location. Toledoans deserve a say in matters impacting their neighborhoods. With all of the crime and nuisance problems associated with some convenience stores, the city has a responsibility to listen to the concerns of residents before allowing a new store to open.
Neighbors were not given proper notification about the Plan Commission hearing to review this application. Not all neighbors received written notice and the posted notice at the site was obscured by a dirty window. City Council should refer the application back to the Plan Commission for further review with proper notice given to residents of the surrounding neighborhood.
We deserve a City Council that listens to the people that pay their salaries. As Councilman, I’ll fight to put the concerns of our neighborhoods front and center.
Editorial notes from me:
At least forty neighbors from the surrounding neighborhood were present to speak with Ed Cichy with Fox News and Ignazio Messina from the Blade present. I’d love to show you the pictures of the large group of neighbors who were there, but when we returned home the digital card used displayed a card read error. Modern technology is great only when it works. With or without pictures it was obvious that the residents of that area were not happy with the lack of notification given, many stated they had not been given notification prior to the Planning Commission, and it was stated that the notification posted on the window was not able to have been read clearly since it was behind a dirty window. The notification had been removed so I was not able to see that but the window was dirty enough that I find it believable that it would have been difficult to notice. Of further concern to these neighbors is the fact that they feel this is being fast tracked through City Council and will be voted on Tuesday while they still have had no input in this, several stated calls to Councilman Rob Ludeman have not been returned. Residents that I spoke with are planning on calling City Council on Tuesday as well as several planning to attend in the hopes that Council will delay voting on this and allow them to have input on what they feel is a very important issue for their neighborhood.
Miguel returned to the location with a different card to take some pictures of where this carry out is going to be located, if this is one of the stories that Fox Toledo has online video for I’ll link it as well as linking any Blade article published tomorrow. While Miguel was there, one of the neighbors who had been present at the press conference came back over and pointed out a vehicle that he stated belonged to the owner of the property where the convenience store is going to be located that has been sitting there with expired plates for some time now and that bricks were placed to avoid that being visible. A search of Lucas County Aeris shows that property is currently listed as owned by Woltep, Inc., which is owned by a Mr. Petlow. I was unable to verify the truck ownership.
UPDATED: Link to Blade article.
Does Mr. Cichy intend to continue working in management for The Kroger Company if he is elected? He might want to disclose his association with this mega-retailer before he casts aspersions on small retail business owners.
Granted, a few local carryouts seem to cater more to nefarious characters than to local residents, but Cichy looks a little silly attacking what could conceivably be one of his employer’s business competitors.
September 2nd, 2007 at 10:48 pmHe has mentioned his employment and it’s listed on his campaign website. It’s pretty clear from what I heard today this has nothing to do with any worries about competition for Kroger but is based on concerns of that particular neighborhood. Since that is the one I also grew up in, the increase in crime is an issue and the concern expressed with the owner of this location having had past issues with selling alcohol to minors is another valid concern.
No one appears to like the vacant buildings, they just don’t want a location that is going to have a primary focus on selling beer, wine and smokes there.
September 2nd, 2007 at 11:01 pmNot to mention where this particular store would be located there are many other places to buy alcohol & smokes before one would reach the nearest Krogers…
September 2nd, 2007 at 11:02 pmIt would seem that even before candidate Cichy is elected to office, possibly, there are potential conflicts of interest.
September 3rd, 2007 at 7:47 ami do not understand why this carryout was fast tracked . i am a neighbor and we were not properly notified. there are many reasons why this carryout should not be in this neighborhood. the blade has been writing about predatory carryouts so why is this the exception allowed to open at this location. there is no need all i forsee is crime
topic: carryout at 4338 so. detroit
September 3rd, 2007 at 8:32 amthe blade has been writing about pradatory carryouts with one exception. THIS is the one! Why this location ? we don’t need it and we don’t want it. All of our property taxes have gone up yet this is the best our city gov. can do for us . i am a close neighbor and we were Not properly notified! this store was on such a fast track it is about to open before the last vote! shame on all of you! what more can i say!
I have been thinking about crime versus a business opening.
Is the crime present with out the business or does crime then become preset when a store of this type opens and sells some of the very same as other stores, some of which are typical stores like a Kroger, Kmart and so on.
Or does the store bring along the crime in the way of people who are off a criminal nature?
Or is it symptomatic of the city in some parts that have had and continue to have less attention paid to them in ways of development, out reach and so on.
September 3rd, 2007 at 8:50 amNC…all of that pal. here, we have the “VIP” on Fulton and Bancroft and the IGA at Frnaklin and Bancroft. Both stores draw a sketchy crowd. It’s a crowd of folks from the area, they’re not comming here from Sylvania.
It’s the poverty/ lack of education and lack of development and outreach. I see it every day, the sad and lost are wandering around just itching for trouble. It’s attention seeking at it’s primal front. I’ve had conversations for a year where some of the neighbors explain it’s a way of life, all they have known etc. It’s tragic that they are left behind.
In my neighborhood, the scurvy carry-outs are just a plce for the criminal set to hock their wares and meet up for further bad behavior. Alcohol and drugs are a comodity in and outside of these stores. The VIP was busted not long ago for stolen mech. in the back room. Ya just never know.
If there were no market for the junk dealers, there’d be no business. I don’t think it’s right to stop a business from starting up, but that’s not to say we shouldn’t monitor it and be aware of the patrons. If things get out of hand, there are laws on the books to deal with it.
September 3rd, 2007 at 9:18 amlarge retailers do not sell single cigarets single everything! they do not do as they chose. they follow the law and have oversite. the record of these PREDATORY carryout speaks for itself. feel free to check the police records! lets not forget catering to the under age. yes the larger stores do have their problems. frankly we don’t need any of it. this is a residential neighborhood. my question is, WHY THE FAST TRACK? WHAT IS GOING ON AT CITY COUNCIL?
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:26 am“…but that’s not to say we shouldn’t monitor it and be aware of the patrons. If things get out of hand, there are laws on the books to deal with it.”
Yes, yes, enforce what we have and add more laws or regs. that failed to get enforced.
“large retailers do not sell single cigarets single everything! they do not do as they chose. they follow the law and have oversite.”
Quite. Can we prevent people or a business from opening a cartoon of cigarettes that the business bought and then chose to sell singularly?
I do not understand the Predatory part. These are businesses that choose to open and conduct business. We live in a capitalistic society, make a buck and succeed.
“my question is, WHY THE FAST TRACK? WHAT IS GOING ON AT CITY COUNCIL?”
A lot of us ask the same question. And the answers are far and few between.
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:33 amSo, what can we expect now that we have a majority party in place with a Strong Mayor form of government?
More friction between the two, of the same party or progress to bring in more businesses to the city.
Who is going to set up a business in the inner city area? Sea Gate food market did and is much better than Farmer Jack was, the store is clean and well stocked and the staff friendly.
What other businesses are going to set up and do business in our neighborhoods that need them. What incentive is them to do so?
What can our city council majority party now holding the reigns of leadership, however tenuously, effect change when they cannot agree on so many things.
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:40 amyou should also read the Blade articles. they explain “predatory carryouts”. They also explain the moratorium that has been in place. exception this one. since its been rubber stamped regardless of what the neighborhood thinks…… WE WILL CERTAINLY KEEP A WATCHFUL EYE!
September 3rd, 2007 at 11:04 amWhen we lived in the inner city, we lived directly next door to a carry out. It was not pleasant one bit! There were drugs and other illegal activities going on behind the counter and in the back, once the workers got to know you they were comfortable enough to tell you about these goings on. We made several calls trying to get it stopped but never even got a response back, let alone getting the activities brought to a halt. I’m not saying what went on at that particular store goes on at all of them, but I know of several that do! The people that live in these neighborhoods need to be able to have a say in what goes on where they live and these predatory stores need to be stopped!
September 3rd, 2007 at 11:25 amSue, thanks for stopping by the blog. I can understand your frustration as this should be something that a neighborhood has some input into before a convenience store opens. It’s not as if there has been a convenience store in that area for years it was a dry cleaners which is a bit less of a traffic issue, no issues with alcohol or any of the other problems. Many in the neighborhood remember problems with Dairy Mart, including the shooting that took place there and with the recent robberies at Hungry Howie’s, I think there are some valid concerns. Given it’s obvious that many residents were not informed, especially those that live on Colby right behind the location, I think City Council should at least listen to the concerns of the neighborhood.
The Planning Commission and City Council may very well have decided to support this special use permit even if proper notification had been given, but knowing that many residents are concerned should at least warrant a closer look at this.
September 3rd, 2007 at 11:26 amOver the past few years I have received several calls from owners of “convenience stores” located in the inner city areas.
Many of them are of middle eastern descent and they call to report drug dealers loitering in their parking lots. I have found these people to be hard working and willing to locate their business where “major” stores wouldn’t even think of locating a store to reach an under served population.
Convenience stores are exactly what the name implies, they are neighborhood stores within walking distance for those who don’t have transportation or the money to go to a grocery store. The items they carry are limited and most people go their to buy essential items until they have the resources to go to Kroger’s or Meiers.
Are there a few bad apples in every group, of course. While Mr. Cichy may have the best of intentions he is essentially trying to legislate morality.
In the 1980’s the City of Toledo tried to crack down on the Head Shed’s now known as “The Shed” for openly selling drug paraphernailia. Court decisions fell in favor of the “Head Sheds.” End of story.
The issue should not be one of convenience Stores but rather one of “quality of life” issues. I can tell you from personal experience from working in the drug unit and on the streets the biggest problem by far has been slumlords buying property in Toledo and renting out to drug dealers and those who would disrupt the peaceful enjoyment of once proud neighborhoods.
If Mr. Cichy or any other political candidate wants to address “quality of life” issues they need to study the issue in it’s entirety and look at legislation such as Boulder, Colorado’s nuisance law which holds landlords and tenants responsible for their actions when an entire neighborhood is disrupted because of a couple of bad renters.
The Boulder Colorado Nuisance law was geared to help law enforcement address “quality of life issues.”
September 3rd, 2007 at 12:37 pmTPD Blue, I don’t disagree with you at all on the issue of drugs & slum landlords. Yet, I do think neighborhoods should have some say when a business comes into their neighborhoods. That is the key issue here, that the people living near what was a dry cleaner have some valid concerns about a convenience store being opened when the owner has had problems at previous locations, including being cited for selling alcohol to minors. Once a business opens it is much harder to get it closed if problems happen, if there are valid concerns, which from what I heard yesterday, there appears to be then the City should at least listen to their concerns and offer solutions. Creating a situation where the neighborhood will not support this local business and there are problems from the outset doesn’t help the neighborhood or the business.
What was being said was not “we hate convenience stores” or even “we want no businesses here” but “we don’t want one here in this former dry cleaner”.
September 3rd, 2007 at 1:17 pmCiting an opposite example, there were neighbors that did want another convenience store to be left open, the one ONXY opposed, I felt in that scenario as well it should be up to the majority of the neighbors to decide what they want when it comes to businesses going into what is predominately a residential area.
September 3rd, 2007 at 1:19 pmpred·a·to·ry /ˈprɛdəˌtɔri, -ˌtoʊri/
–adjective
1. Zoology. preying upon other organisms for food.
2. of, pertaining to, or characterized by plunder, pillage, robbery, or exploitation: predatory tactics.
3. engaging in or living by these activities: predatory bands of brigands.
4. excessive or exploitive in amount or cost, as out of greed or to take advantage of consumers or patrons: predatory pricing.
5. acting with or possessed by overbearing, rapacious, or selfish motives: He was cornered at the party by a predatory reporter.
I cannot make the connection to the use of predatory when it is mentioned here or when the Blade wrote about it.
A neighborhood may voice an opinion but leaders need to make decisions based on a lot of things and opinions are but one.
September 3rd, 2007 at 1:22 pmOpinions are but one part of this NC, but they should have been included and received notification. They are after all the residents of that area, part of the whole zoning process is supposed to be to allow these issues to be raised.
September 3rd, 2007 at 1:34 pm“..part of the whole zoning process is supposed to be to allow these issues to be raised.”
I believe the city would have fulfilled the notice requirement by posting notice in the news paper and other sources, yes?
And if that is the case and the notice was given and people did not show up to voice the opinions then what?
September 3rd, 2007 at 1:37 pmPerhaps Mr. Cichy should focus his efforts on getting Kroger’s to build a store at the corner of Dorr and Detroit where one is much needed. They could relocate one of the three stores they have along Glendale Ave. within a mile of each other.
In response to predatory practices, did you notice the change in prices at Kroger when Farmer Jacks and Foodtown folded. Perhaps we should pass an ordinance in Toledo similiar to Costco and not allow anyone to sell any item at more than 15% markup.
September 3rd, 2007 at 1:53 pmNotice being given is one of the main issues, only a few of the neighbors received a letter since the definition of “a block” which is the requirement seems to be part of the problem and none of the residents who live behind the proposed location received notification. A sign was posted on the window of the property but was behind a dirty window and it was stated by those who live there they did not notice it until it was too late.
That’s part of the reason they are upset, then now that it was approved? No one from the City appears to be responding to their concerns…hence…that is how Ed Cichy became involved.
Considering how many people did not seem to be aware of the change over on the last holiday of trash pickup, I’d say it’s safe to assume if it was posted in the newspaper (which I don’t think it was) that is not the way to assume you are reaching people – they should receive some sort of personal notification when it comes to re-zoning and special use permits.
September 3rd, 2007 at 1:56 pmCichy is running for District 2, unless he were an at large candidate the topic of a new Kroger’s at Detroit and Dorr would have no bearing on District 2. He didn’t approach the residents of District 2 about this issue, they approached him and he spoke out because their concerns were not being addressed. It’s not as if this was some pr fabricated campaign moment…
September 3rd, 2007 at 2:00 pmThe Mayo has admitted his staff did a poor job at education about the trash day schedule change.
With regards to zoning changes this is what the Toledo Municipal Code calls for:
CHAPTER 1111
Development Approval Procedures
1111.0301 Content.
A. All notices required under this Zoning Code must:
1. Indicate the date, time and place of the public hearing or date of action that is the subject of the notice;
2. Describe the property involved in the application by street address or other means to appropriately identify the property.
3. Describe the nature, scope and purpose of the application or proposal; and
4. Indicate where additional information on the matter can be obtained.
B. Posted Notice Exception.
Content of the posted notice on a subject property at a minimum must indicate the application by street address, the type of request, and the telephone number where additional information on the matter can be obtained.
(Ord. 170-04. Passed 3-23-04.)
1111.0302 Newspaper Notice.
A. When the provisions of this Zoning Code require that “Newspaper Notice” be provided, the City is responsible for publishing notice in a daily newspaper of general circulation in the City of Toledo.
B. The notice must appear in the newspaper at least 30 days before the date of the City Council public hearing.
(Ord. 170-04. Passed 3-23-04.)
1111.0303 Mailed Notice.
When the provisions of this Zoning Code require that “Mailed Notice” be provided, the City must mail notice to all owners of the subject property and all owners of property abutting or directly across the street or place from the subject property as required by the Revised Code Chapter 713, and as established by Plan Commission policy.
A. Ownership information is to be obtained from the county auditor’s current tax list, the Treasurer’s mailing list or other list that may be specified by City Council.
B. Notices must be deposited in the U.S. mail at least 20 days before the date of the City Council public hearing.
C. When required notices have been properly addressed and deposited in the mail, failure of a party to receive such notice will not be grounds to invalidate any action taken.
D. Mailed notice is not required for zoning map amendments involving more than 10 parcels of land as listed on the current tax list; however, at the discretion of the Planning Director, notice may be mailed.
(Ord. 170-04. Passed 3-23-04.)
1111.0304 Posted Notice.
When the provisions of this Zoning Code require that “Posted Notice” be provided, the applicant must ensure that notice is posted on the subject property. Posted notice must be in the form of official signs provided by the Plan Commission and be done in a manner that makes the notice clearly visible to neighboring residents and passers-by from each street bordering the subject property.
A. One or more signs must be posted where instructed by the Planning Director. At least one sign must be posted for each lot frontage.
B. Required posted notice must be in place for at least 15 days before the hearing, meeting, or date of action that is the subject of the notice.
C. Failure to properly post signs is grounds for deferral or denial of the application. No one, except the applicant or an agent of the applicant or the City, shall remove or tamper with any such required sign during the period it is required to be maintained under this section.
D. The applicant must remove signs between 7 and 10 days of the date that the decision-making body takes action.
(Ord. 170-04. Passed 3-23-04.)
1111.0305 Public Meeting Notice.
When the provisions of this Zoning Code require a public hearing or provide for an appeal, the City also must provide public meeting notice in accordance with Chapter 107 of the Administrative Code.
(Ord. 170-04. Passed 3-23-04.)
1111.0306 Courtesy Notice.
As a matter of practice the City may provide broader notice to supplement the above notice provisions. Examples are:
A. When the official responsible for accepting the application or providing the notice determines that broader notice is necessary because of the extraordinary land use impacts likely to result from the proposal;
B. Attempt to provide notice to occupants of property within notice areas;
C. To interested persons and groups who have requested such notice;
D. To neighborhood organizations within the subject area;
E. Utilize new technologies of communication such as the Internet to upload review and decision-making bodies’ agendas.
(Ord. 170-04. Passed 3-23-04.
September 3rd, 2007 at 2:08 pmNC I think you bring up a good point with “What other businesses are going to set up and do business in our neighborhoods that need them. What incentive is them to do so?”
The key there is incentive…the city thus far has done a great job of building barriers to doing business locally but they are failing miserably at giving real incentives to people who are interested in investing their money in Toledo. Add the carryout license to other local gems like the living wage ordinance.
I think it comes from this flawed belief locally that people should only go into business to make jobs for others and contribute to the city’s coffers. Just look at how the elected elite locally always frame the issue of business; it’s always in the context of job creation and how much tax revenue it will generate. The unofficial marketing slogan for attracting business to Toledo is something like, “Do-Toledo so we can squeeze every dime out of you.”
Don’t worry though; within time almost everyone in Toledo will be employed in good union jobs by the city, the county or the school system so they’ll just tax you to pay your co-workers salary and vice-versa. In fact, I think the city is already the number 2 or 3 employer in the area, so it’s not far from being as I described. The only problem with that is you’re never creating new capital or wealth only dividing what was once there…that’s why socialism doesn’t work and we’re witnessing another testament to that by watching Toledo’s decline.
I hope that made some sense, I had a long night yesterday
September 3rd, 2007 at 3:02 pm“it’s always in the context of job creation and how much tax revenue it will generate.”
Ummm, it has been this way since time began or at least when the government needed funds to run the country with, so I do not understand the comment.
The whole system is based on taxation to fund what we want and need, governmental services.
“why socialism doesn’t work and we’re witnessing another testament to that by watching Toledo’s decline.”
Again with the Socialism.
What is it that causes people to use this term, Socialism, please.
We had one person comment recently that there was commusim at play also.
I also am at a complete loss to understand the oft repeated complaints about unions.
I simply do not understand the comment and I seek to understand, like I commented to you on swampbubbles Mr. Holdrbidge.
A union is a group of people enjoined in this case with regards to employment. Yes, some building trades seem to have a tight grip on things but that is not always the case.
The Blade has been running a series of full page spreads complaining in a round about way that unions are causing people to not want to set up shop here. Costco just did and they pay well, have great benefits and treat the employees well. There are others as well as those have also set up shop here. So, is it employee representation that is causing businesses to not set up shop here or are we victims of the world at this time?
Why is FedEx planning on leaving? Unions? Or location, location, location?
And did the unions drive you to Va. in search of a job?
There are concerns, about some carryouts, this is a true, but to be an informed citizen requires education and commitment. From the small businesses come the mid size businesses and then the larger businesses and with the economic downturn and reliance for too many years on the auto industry despite the other axiom, diversify, diversify, diversify, the city is what it is, in transition.
September 3rd, 2007 at 5:59 pmIsn’t this the same area that the neighbors stopped the Charter School from going in?
September 4th, 2007 at 8:41 amI don’t think so Sensor, the Charter School was down closer to the Glendale area – this is the part of South Toledo where S. Detroit and Byrne meet, right before the AW Trail connects to S. Detroit.
September 4th, 2007 at 10:45 amIt’s a carryout, not a crack den. There’s one a few feet from my place in the south end and I’ve never seen anyone hanging out and causing trouble, nor have I noticed the carryout selling single cigarettes. If I need milk or bread, walking to the carryout beats driving to Krogers, parking, and walking to the back of the store to pick up an item or two. Krogers isn’t convienient if you just need a couple of things.
Besides, Krogers thinks there’s still three brands of beer in this country: Budweiser, Miller, and Coors. A few months ago I mentioned to the carryout clerk that I wished they’d stock Shiner Blonde. Then next time I stopped in the clerk let me know they had my beer in stock. That’s service that Krogers can’t or won’t match.
September 4th, 2007 at 11:10 amFrom what was stated Sunday, this location is not going to sell grocery items, only beer, wine and smokes. It is not a large enough location to stock many items.
September 4th, 2007 at 11:17 am“From what was stated Sunday, this location is not going to sell grocery items, only beer, wine and smokes. It is not a large enough location to stock many items.”
If you can find a carry out in Toledo that only sells beer, wine, and smokes, I’ll show you a unified city council. Every carryout stocks the little stuff like bread and TP for inflated prices. They make a lot of money off the small items because people are willing to pay more to avoid walking around a supermarket.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:19 pmI don’t disagree, I found that odd too, but I also know the size of the store and I worked at a convenience store years ago that was attached to a gas station that did not sell alcohol then later added alcohol sales when a permit became available. I’m aware of what is normally sold depending on the available shelf space. The addition of alcoholic products there did reduce the amount of other items available for sale, and the space of that establishment is similar to this one. Quite a few of these stores don’t carry bread or milk because people don’t buy it. Items like chips or candy have a longer shelf life.
It should also be pointed out that there is legislation pending that would make this location illegal due to it’s close proximity to more than one pre-school. It’s been suggested if this special use permit goes through before the legislation is enacted it would be grandfathered in which is also one of the reasons the residents believe this is being pushed through.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:40 pm“Quite a few of these stores don’t carry bread or milk because people don’t buy it. Items like chips or candy have a longer shelf life.”
Again, name one. I’m not trying to be a dick, but the high margin products are how the convenience stores make their money. I’ve been in the podunkiest of podunk party stores and the ghettoiest of ghetto carry outs and they always have at least two loaves of bread and a couple of gallons of milk. The only place where liquor is sold and food is not is a state liquor agency.
“It should also be pointed out that there is legislation pending that would make this location illegal due to it’s close proximity to more than one pre-school. It’s been suggested if this special use permit goes through before the legislation is enacted it would be grandfathered in which is also one of the reasons the residents believe this is being pushed through.”
Good, because being too close to a preschool shouldn’t prevent a convenience store from opening. Are the toddlers going to sneak over to the store and swipe some 40s? The kids will be just as safe as they were when the store opens, because a carryout opening shouldn’t be a distraction.
September 4th, 2007 at 2:01 pmThe biggest mark up is not on items they have to purchase at a grocery store then re-sell. The biggest mark up is on candy and other snack items they buy from one of the local distributors. Unless something has magically changed in the past few years when it was drilled into our heads to push the snacks/candy since that is where the profit was made. Alcohol and smokes are a draw but they don’t make a huge profit on that given most places sell them for the same price. Hence questioning the whole concept of why you would want to open that small of a location knowing you aren’t going to have the draw and the ability to sell a great deal of merchandise that’s a whole different issue not to mention if there is not a great relationship with the neighborhood, that reduces the amount of people who are going to want to spend money at your location.
You want me to name one, right off the top of my head, Chablis did not carry either milk or bread when I lived right across the street from them. I know this because if I wanted those items I had to cross the street. I was just at Speedway and they had pints/quarts of milk but no bread and no TP. Stop and Shop rarely has bread, they carry milk but I’ve not seen TP there then again, I haven’t looked for it, so the next time I go there I will verify the TP scenario. Sami’s which is down Arlington just a bit farther has more of a grocery selection. The other carry out on the corner of Spencer & South has a very limited cooler section, and I don’t recall seeing milk there when I was there the other day, however I’ll also make a mental note to verify this.
Then of course when I lived in Swanton, Union 76 did not carry milk or bread though we did have Little Friskie’s cat food.
September 4th, 2007 at 3:05 pmHeh.
“ghettoiest.”
Sweet!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:44 amI live only a few doors down from this site. I just wanted to say that I have two small children and we actively walk and ride our bikes past this location. I do not want this carryout to open. I do not want the added traffic. I do not want even the possibility of added crime. It’s my neighborhood and I should have a say. I will be at next Wednesday’s meeting.
September 5th, 2007 at 12:37 pmI live on Colby Drive and received no notification of any of this until Sunday afternoon, 20 minutes before the meeting in front of the property.
*Never met Ed until that day. I don’t care if this is politically motivated or not. I am grateful that someone contacted him and that he helped motivate my neighborhood to do something about this. Does this mean I will vote for him? No. I will only vote for him if he ends up being the best candidate for the job. I haven’t met the other candidates yet, so I can’t make a decision yet.
*I don’t think this has anything at all to do with his Kroger job. He isn’t even at the Glendale location anymore, and I hardly believe a store this size would have any impact on Kroger’s sales.
*I care about the proximity of this carryout to day care centers and an elementary school. I care that Bowhser High School is right down the road and the students there will know that this is an easy place to score alcohol.
*I care that the guy who owns this business has a documented history of underage alcohol sales from his previous business.
Convenience stores like this aren’t doing any favors to the people living in poor neighborhoods. They pay a premium – that they can not afford – for that “convenience.”
It would be wonderful to have a new business in that location. A coffee shop, restaurant, antique store, video store, dentist, doctor, lawyer – I can think of all kinds of businesses that would be beneficial to our neighborhood. A carry out just isn’t it.
I will be at Wednesday’s meeting, and I am asking all my neighbors, and all my friends who live in the general Beverly/Bowhser area to show up as well.
September 6th, 2007 at 11:01 pmI hope people turn out for the meeting as well, and I really appreciate you stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
September 7th, 2007 at 12:44 am