One thing that stood out from a recent local article in the Gazette was Steve Silverman (the MoCo Director of the Department of Economic Development and Isiah Leggett mouthpiece), stating it was necessary to waive any local study on the effects of Costco because they risked losing Costco. Pretty appalling if you ask me. No risk, no reward? The risk being the environmental effects on the local populous. Today the Gazette takes it further and warns that if Costco doesn’t get its gas station then Wheaton doesn’t get its Costco.
If that’s the case then goodbye Costco. I don’t see why we have to be held to ransom over this – the residents of Kensington Heights are happy for Costco to come. I’d certainly take a Costco over a Wal-Mart but I’d only take a Costco with the study. Are we really at a point where the leaders in the community are so desperate to generate cash that they’d entertain the idea of allowing Costco to walk in and dictate terms? If so come election time it will strongly backfire on them I am sure.
Westfield have said “The mall isn’t trying to steamroll anybody by taking the quickest route to approval; it’s just the only route”. That’s down to Costco; Westfield aren’t the bad guys here , it’s Costco. There is already one in Beltsville and whereas that can be 20 minutes away for some, it’s not going to involve putting a 16 pump gas station next to community tennis courts and a swimming pool. I find it offensive that Costco think they can try this and I find it worse that elected officials have entertained it. I don’t even live next to the pool or courts but I know right from wrong. Costco incidentally make 40 cents of every dollar from its gas stations hence that’s their incentive. Also note that the community has to pay for Costco to come here with a $4 million subsidy. If we are paying for it surely we can get a study done or have no gas station whatsoever.
To those who live outside of Kensington Heights and have probably less interest in the issue, just note what your elected officials are willing to compromise for money. This goes beyond NIMBYism – so many people are up in arms about having a major source of pollution put next to their homes for someone else’s profit. That shouldn’t be in anyone’s back yard.
The board will transmit its comments to the County Council, which will have a public hearing 7:30 p.m. May 20 in the Stella B. Werner Council building’s seventh floor, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville. SOURCE: Whats up Wheaton
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