I receieved the following e-mail which the author gave me permission to post here for further discussion:
I wonder if the UCDC can take up the Bellayre resort as an issue. Despite the fact Governor pushed a number of organizations to accept what would be a damaging resort plan, to the environment, to the people in the area surrounding the proposed resort, and to the people of the Catskills at large, there are still organizations and people who are fighting the proposal.
The proposed resort will clearly damage the mountain with roads and housing at the 3000ft. level; may damage the environment with chemicals, and damage wildlife. There may not be enough water for the resort and hamlets. During and after the 10 years of construction, Route 28, the road leading from the Hudson Valley to the resort, will either be filled with traffic or will become a 4-lane super highway, both inappropriate to the Catskill Park.
In addition, there is no housing planned for the resort's proposed 400+ workers of whom most, I understand, will be paid about $9 per hour. The infrastructure of the town of Shandaken will be inadequate, leading to increased taxes, and many people who now live around the resort will no longer be able to maintain their homes.Beyond the probable destruction of a mountain, this resort, if it is approved and built,will open doors to many others who would like to eek out large profits without consideration of the welfare of the population and environment. This kind of "devil may care" capitalism has always proved destructive.
I have been a Democrat for all my voting years. For most of those, I have had the idea that the Democratic party was concerned with the welfare of the people. Will you help to insure that it continues so?Please raise the Bellayre resort as an important issue to our county. It is, indeed, a Democratic issue.I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,Eve Smith
Eve P. Smith, D.S.W.Director,Center for the Study of James the Brother
Bard College,Annandale-on-Hudson, NY
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For grassroots information in opposition of the Belleayre Resort go to www.savethemountain.net
There are 2 documentary events in November coming up about mega-resorts and what they truly do to local economy and culture. Get details on the site and sign the petition to Governor Spitzer.
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