**Welcome to our new Blog!!

This is the first post on our new blog run by Alden Residents for Responsible Growth

Here we hope to provide information about a Big-Box plaza proposed for the Martin farm on Broadway near Four Rod and Sandridge Rd. A development that will surely be the first step in turning beautiful, peaceful Alden into the next developers playground and a nightmare for those who appreciate what we have. This is something that we find an intolerable development that appears to have the backing of our Planning Board, Chamber of Commerce and especially the Economic Development Board. All positions that we do not vote for either the members or who they hire and pay with our tax dollars.

One of the main reasons those who promote this project put forth is the so called bonanza of tax dollars that will flow into the Town. If you think your taxes will go down if this goes in could you first ask yourself if any ones taxes were ever lowered in the areas where you travel to now for large scale retail? The answer is a simple NO, the only thing we'll be doing is welcoming our beautiful town into the age of characterless, ANYTOWN, USA. With a strip of national chains the same as every community that goes down this path we will choke our Mom and Pop establishments, introduce traffic from surrounding areas, overburden our Law Enforcement and Fire Department, see a rise in crime and an overall decline in our quality of life. In fact, as every other community that goes down this path, we will likely see our taxes rise to support this type of growth.

We think it's irresponsible and will fight it with every means at our disposal to stop it and instead promote growth that fits our community and serves its citizens. We hope you agree and want to join us. To get on our mailing list for upcomming meetings and other information please write us at Save_Alden@Yahoo.com .