I want to add my voice to those who are asking the City Council to reconsider their vote taken last month prohibiting the industrial rezoning along the French King Highway. Manufacturing is how we thrived historically and precision manufacturing is how we can bring it back. We need more land to accomplish this and this parcel is the only available land in the city.

I find it surprising that this is an actual issue given that historically people on different sides of the zoning argument have all come together to endorse this change.

For those who still have hopes of a giant big box store being built there, they should realize that that is never going to happen. Stop & Shop controls the lease and they don’t want the competition. In addition, even if that were not the case, the age of big retail stores is quickly moving to the past. If you don’t believe it, visit a Dollar General or talk to anyone under 40 and find out how they secure their supplies. I think you will find that most of them get their goods delivered from online sources like Amazon, Walmart, and others. This is the way the world is moving. The way for this county and this city to thrive is to nurture homegrown, high-paying, manufacturing jobs. Rezoning the French King parcel is the only way to accomplish this. We must seize this opportunity that is presented to us.

Terry Plotkin

Greenfield

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