To the Editor:

Have you heard? A small group of mysterious Altamont residents have hired aliens to abduct Stewart’s.

One could be forgiven for coming to that conclusion after listening to all the rumors and online comments about the legal action commenced by Concerned Severson Neighbors. CSN was formed after the village board voted to spot zone 107-109 Helderberg Ave., built in 1900, so that Stewart’s could tear it down and expand their footprint.

Almost 200 people, virtually all of them village residents, signed a petition in opposition to this spot zoning. That petition is part of the public record.

So when people, especially online, ask the question “who are these people,” the answer is CSN is people you know, your friends and neighbors who are moved to action to protect the character and architectural heritage of Altamont. CSN believes in both the letter and intent of the comprehensive plan.

We commend Trustee Dean Whelan and Trustee John Scally for understanding this principle and voting against the rezone.

The comprehensive plan was an exercise in American democracy. As a village trustee at the time, I can attest that everyone, and I do mean everyone, who wanted to have input into the vision for Altamont had a seat at the table, literally.

One of the bedrock beliefs to come out of the comprehensive plan was preservation of our architectural heritage. This plan was truly the voice of the people! The approval of the spot zoning that would destroy another period house for a parking lot violates both the letter and intent of the plan.

CSN is not interested in “driving Stewart’s out of Altamont.” We are interested in having Stewart's continue to thrive, but on its current footprint and not tear yet another hole in the village’s unique architectural fabric.

No one is building Victorian homes any more. When you lose one, it’s gone forever. We don’t need to replace a period home with a sea of asphalt.

I encourage everyone to stand at the Sunoco and look at just how huge and inappropriate the Stewart’s footprint will be. In your mind’s eye, take out 107-109 Helderberg, expand that asphalt to 111 Helderberg and move the Stewart's building up against that beautiful home.

That much asphalt is more appropriate for a mall, not the center of our village. We invite everyone who is interested in these objectives to join us. Contributions to the legal effort may be made to Concerned Severson Neighbors at Post Office Box 94, Altamont.  All contributions are anonymous as this is not a political campaign, but a private citizens’ effort.

Now is the time to stand up and be counted.

Harvey Vlahos

Altamont

Editor’s note: Harvey Vlahos is a member of Concerned Severson Neighbors.