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Leishman Point > Summary

 

·        WRA is providing this information to educate the public so each individual citizen can make an informed decision on the most appropriate land-use of Leishman Point that will benefit the most people today, and 5, 10, 50 and 100 years or more from now.

·        The Waddington Town Board wants to act as their own developer and invest public money into a residential subdivision of 16 large lots.   Numerous studies and plans show that a residential subdivision is not the only viable option.    In fact, it may be the least beneficial of all of the development options considered thus far.

·        Review of economic data and studies reveal that St. Lawrence County continues to suffer from high unemployment and low income per capita.  Waddington residents and businesses were surveyed and said that an increase in economic activity and job creation should be a top priority.   Both the Merwin Study and the Waddington LWRP encourage development on the waterfront that increases tourism and recreation.

·        Communities that encourage business tend to have lower property taxes and more services than mostly residential communities.

·        WRA favors a plan that increases economic development/job creation, expansion of the tax base, enhanced recreational opportunities and preservation of the environment, and is willing to donate time to help attract a developer that will invest in a plan that fulfills these objectives.

·        Many Waddington citizens have signed a petition asking for a planning process that encourages citizen input and will continue to fight for such a process.

·        If the public is allowed a voice, the result will be a victory for democracy and a step toward economic prosperity for the North Country.

·        The voters will be given a voice in the Oct 14th referendum. A NO vote means Waddington taxpayers will still have say in what happens. There are many questions remaining on the residential development plan which have not yet been answered. There are also many other beneficial uses to explore.