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Look at master plan

Times Herald Record
Letters to the editor for November 27, 2002

It is time for the officials and residents of the Town of Gardiner to
recognize what the towns of Shawangunk and Montgomery have already accepted - we need to re-examine our Master Plan to assure that the character and resources of our community are protected for the long-term. Without a strong, comprehensive Master Plan, outside development forces are going to bulldoze out community's character in exchange for ambiguous and doubtful tax benefits. Before the outside developers, who do not have the interests of our community at heart, arrive with flashy presentations, deep pockets, and powerful legal advice, we need to implement a building
moratorium to give the planning board, town board, and citizens a six-month opportunity to evaluate and revise our Master Plan to clearly establish and protect our vision of the future of the Town of Gardiner and the Shawangunk Ridge that is the visual focus of this region. This is likely to be our last opportunity before the rural character of our region is recreated to an outside developer's vision and profit.

Paul Muessig
Town of Gardiner