To the Editor:

I am beginning to suspect the national scene of the decline of democracy has filtered down to the local level. Last night’s protest of Crossgates receiving more or less a carte blanche OK for their environmental status, as Crossgates stands firm in its bid for lowering its taxes, was a reflection of that.

Most of the protesters’ signs were pointing to Crossgates as the villain. I don’t see it that way. Crossgates from its inception has and would bend the rules any way it could to get what it wanted. Crossgates was and is the big business, America’s lantern of greed.

So what protects our country, our states, our cities, our towns, our people from living under the dictatorship of corporate-controlled financial and business entities? The answer — our laws and our governments, both national and local.

The responsibility here for such rests with the town of Guilderland’s government, our elected officials, whose duty is to their residents. I watch as it seems that every corner I now turn in Guilderland is dotted with new apartment complexes, and a hideous car-wash, that pollutes its once respectful skyline.

I was told that our population of seniors is increasing and the apartments were needed mostly for them. Yet as a senior myself, I don’t remember anyone sending me a questionnaire on what I would find appropriate for future senior living. I don’t remember anyone from the town setting up a senior task force to prepare and advise on what would be a consensus of our older residents.

I, for one, and many of my neighbors and friends would tell the town, senior living is about downsizing not changing one’s style of living. If the town really were interested in senior preferences, it would have created communities with smaller affordable one-story homes.

We who have spent most of our adult life in private homes have no desire for apartment living. If the town leadership were not on the puppet strings of big business, local builders, and realtors they might be able to run this town for its citizens, for its betterment and for its healthy growth.

From where I stand today, I see a town government that is more bought and sold by the business community than [responding to] its residents. From where I stand, I see a strong emerging need for new leadership within the town of Guilderland.

Yes, many would like a Costco, but we should not be willing to sell our souls for it and give in to extended building and environmental blight. It is time for all of us to say “no” to a town government that no longer has its citizens as a priority. It is time for new leadership.

Joan Storey

Guilderland