Editorial: Vote Today In Waddington
Waddington voters need to get out and vote today to tell their local officials what they
want done with Leishman Point.
The town's residents have spent the past year debating the future of the 22 acre parcel
just up the hill from the town beach.
The town board wants the property divided into residential lots and sold for a new housing
development. They argue that the sales on dark Point have shown that there's a big demand
for riverfront residential lots. Selling the lots will expand the town's tax base, create
construction jobs, create more housing and help keep Waddington one of the fastest growing
communities in the county.
Another group wants to vote no on the proposal, arguing that the property might offer
other opportunities like commercial development to boost the area's economy.
A third group wants residents to vote no, arguing that the Point should be protected from
development and kept for public recreational use.
We think all sides have made their cases to the public, presenting their arguments. Now
it's time for the community to make a decision and give the town board direction on what
it should do.
We think the community is healthier for having had the debate about it's future. The only
unfortunate development has been that some people in the community have taken the entire
debate too personally.
Waddington is very lucky to have so many of its citizens who care deeply about the future
of their community. While individuals may differ on the best approach, all of the
residents involved in the debate share a common concern and love for their community.
In our opinion, town residents need to begin focusing their attention on what the
community should do with Whitehouse Bay. The Whitehouse Bay property, next to the Iroquois
Dam, is a much, much larger piece of property than either dark point or Leishman Point.
It's large enough that it could offer a multitude of uses to foster growth in Waddington.
We think that Waddington's Town Board would be well advised to bring together citizens
from all points of view from the Leishman Point debate and ask them to work together to
formulate recommendations on the best approach to develop the Whitehouse Bay property.
Originally published 10/14/2003
Ogdensburg Journal
Used with permission