In what has become a rather familiar routine, over 100 people crowded the village's Government Center on Tuesday night for the third session of the public hearing about the proposed Walmart for the Napanoch Valley Mall. And also quite familiarly, the public commentary period eventually devolved at one point into jeers and rudeness.

Positions on this issue have become so hardened that no dialogue or compromise seems possible. To their credit, the planning board pressed on and had a productive public hearing, despite the emotions and bad behavior of the crowd.

The intolerance and know-nothingness of those shouting down anyone who raised a question about Walmart is quite distressing, and reflects badly on the community. Thankfully, they are by no means the majority, and speak for no one except themselves and their own short-sightedness.

The public hearing was not a referendum on Walmart, as some chose to see it, but rather one important step in the process — to gauge public opinion and comments, which includes everyone's point of view.

Serious water quality, traffic, and viewscape issues have been raised about the project and need to be addressed. This is exactly what the SEQRA (an in-depth study which covers everything from how a project will affect an area's natural landscape to its economic impact) process is for. It is not just an impediment, as partisans for Walmart seem to believe. It's there to make sure a particular development will not have an adverse impact on the surrounding area.

Why would a town not want to ensure this?

What is wrong with ensuring that the project does not pollute the water supply? What is wrong with asking for some assurances that the promise of good jobs will be honored? What is wrong with requiring that Walmart be responsible for any traffic or noise problems they might create? Absolutely nothing. And, in fact, it is the duty of the planning board to ensure these basic standards are met.

The alarming experiences described by Sullivan County Legislator Ron Hiatt further indicate the need for an in-depth review. Seven years after arriving, downtown Monticello can be seen as worse-off than before Walmart arrived, if the empty storefronts on Broadway are anything to go on. Walmart's employment practices in the store are alleged to be quite harsh, forcing employees to work part-time to avoid having to provide benefits. The overall effect of the store on property values and taxes is, at best, mixed.

To Walmart, or any developer for that matter, the fewer requirements placed on their plans the better. But the planning process is not about Walmart; it's about the town and the people who live in it. The planning board must not be cowed by any pressure tactics a developer or a few loud advocates subject them to. A Walmart with environmental problems serves no one, and would be a liability to the town no matter how convenient the shopping.

If Walmart really wants to be a "good neighbor," it should be no hardship for them to create a project that is environmentally sound and addresses the concerns and hopes of the community. Most in Wawarsing seem open to the possibility of Walmart, but want the project done right and be a net benefit to the community. We strongly encourage the planning board to issue a positive declaration and require Walmart to complete the SEQRA process. Anything less would be a clear indication the planning board has placed Walmart's interests far above those of the people they are entrusted to serve.

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