To the Editor:

Due to illness I will be unable to make the Dec. 12 hearing on the Stewart’s expansion.  I would like my opinion on record.

I am going to start with, I am all for the expansion. Villages grow, businesses grow.

I have heard a lot of people talk about traffic. Well, any given day, sitting in front of my house I watch people totally run stop signs at Main Street and Maple Avenue and at Main and Park streets. Even more, they are on their cells phones most of the time.

So traffic up at the Stewart’s at Main Street and Altamont Boulevard is the same way. We need to obey rules. Maybe Altamont needs it’s first traffic light, and/or roundabout.

Stewart’s is a very important business in our village, and it must grow with the times. We are extremely lucky to have the people who work there. It is amazing customer service.

But, they are running out of room. They cannot add more stuff to keep up with the “Joneses.” Carmen along with all her staff truly make this a hometown store. (Big or small.)

Now lastly, I know the downside of expanding is the family being displaced. It totally stinks, but Stewart’s bought the building (from my understanding ). Regardless, the one family my children have gone through all years of school with and they are an amazing family.

So instead of squashing a great opportunity for Stewart’s, let’s be the small community we are and support the family being displaced. I know there are a lot of landlords in the village. Why can’t we all get together and find them a place to live? Could be a win/win. They get a nicer place to live, we get our expansion.

So talk is cheap. If you do not want this family to struggle finding a new place, then let’s support both.   It’s time to stand up and actually help them instead of just making comments about “kicking a family to the curb.”     

Carly Hillmann

Altamont