Letter to the Editor: 'Supporters of Costco – the Fight is Not Over Yet'

• Editor's Note: The following letter to the editor was submitted by Yorktown resident Bill Rubin. If you'd like to send us your letters to the editor, email plamena@patch.com.

The initial Planning Board meeting for the , was an interesting contrast in perceptions of the project.

In the audience, a large number of residents held “Say Yes to Costco” signs, while a smaller number wore their “No Costco” buttons. And at the podium, the “pros” spoke in a positive way about the future of a progressive Yorktown, eased of its decades old traffic snarls and enhanced by a stronger tax base and business community. The “cons” ignored the improvements and predicted the doom and gloom of pollution, traffic nightmares and destruction of every other type of business in town.  

Consider the contrast between two of the speakers. One questioned how residents would be able to escape an Indian Point emergency if there were people traveling to Costco at the same time clogging the roads. The other pointed out that Costco is a “number one” retailer, that Yorktown never gets companies like that and we should not let this opportunity pass us by.

With over 30 people still waiting to speak, the public hearing was adjourned until Monday, Oct. 29. I am concerned that the “cons,” obviously well financed by a special interest group who may or may not be the “20 individuals” (who hired experts to perform their own study to challenge the DEIS), will direct their group to be there again on the 29th, but that the “pros,” neither badgered nor required to attend, will fall off in numbers.

Supporters of Costco – the fight is not over yet! I strongly encourage you to come back and support those of us who see Costco as a great benefit to the town on many levels. Please attend the next Planning Board meeting on Oct. 29 (check the town’s website for location and time), and pick up a sign saying “Say Yes to Costco” when you arrive. Show the “cons” that they are out-numbed and show the planning and town boards that the majority of Yorktown citizens want Costco in our town!

Sincerely,

Bill Rubin

Yorktown Heights