To the Editor:

I cannot figure this out:  Stewart’s somehow got convinced that purchasing the residence that buffers its Altamont property from single-family homes alters what was done before.  I hope Stewart’s wants to be a landlord for a long time (or maybe the chief executive officer wants to move in), but that residence has no reason to be allowed to be demolished as it will not be turned into commercial property.

Ownership of two parcels does not alter the situation on the ground; it remains the same as does our serious disappointment in Stewart’s, and obviously Chairman William Dake, for pursuing this further.  Are they not making enough money in Altamont?

And, as if this were not enough, now Voorheesville (and a small bank in Albany, too) is experiencing Stewart’s bullying corporate behavior.  We have all seen these larger, fairly useless buildings they have erected all over the Capital District.

Do they care at all about the 100-year-old communities in which they exist?  Obviously not.

And, they are already considering demolishing this fine two-family home which is zoned residential; and they should surely not be allowed to unless they are planning to build another multi-family home in its place.

In fact, their lack of imagination on this issue is so astounding, it never even occurred to them to offer to build apartments on the second floor of a new flat-faced store as we already have for older buildings and make it look better than the bland wasteful boxes they keep putting up. However, that would require planning and thinking so we shouldn't expect that anytime soon, since they already took a year not figuring that out.

As a board member mentioned, the village would be insulted if the same plans are put up. Well, it does not matter what they propose now, as we are already insulted and we don’t like bullies, especially when they are on the wrong side of history as we know they did not purchase the property to put on a new porch.

I have asked the mayor what it would take to make a village law so that demolition permits can only be granted by unanimous agreement of the village board.  This will ensure properties that require it like Ron’s [Service Station that burned] will be demolished, but those that are out to ruin our village will not get them, even if some think it is a good idea.  If you believe we need this law in place, join me in asking for such a law on Oct. 4 at the village hall.

Robert Rabbin

Altamont