Town of Lima

WAL-MART DISPUTE DRAWS 800 TO LIMA TOWN BOARD MEETING:

Lima Town Board members got an earful from more than 800 residents on the proposed Wal-Mart super center Thursday night during a meeting at the Elim Gospel Church.

Most of the 30 speakers were against the project, citing concerns about the possible loss of the town's rural character, danger to local businesses, traffic congestion and environmental damage. Several received standing ovations.

Wal-Mart ended weeks of rumor and speculation about a big box project being planned for the town when it issued a news release April 26.

The company announced that it wants to build a 165,000-square-foot store, with full grocery service, on a 53-acre site at 1105 Rochester Road (Route 15A).

John Wadach told the board that more than 720 people had signed a petition against the Wal-Mart project.

Wadach is a member of a citizens group organized to actively oppose the store.

"I ask the board to work with us to keep Wal-Mart out and work for planned development," Wadach said.

He also said that those opposed to the project want the board to vote against rezoning the proposed site, to call a moratorium on large retail development and to approve a comprehensive master plan.

800?!?!