Dorm decision driven by tax base

It is quite difficult to watch our elected officials place money above the safety and concerns of our community. Indeed, that occurred in the Town of Amherst recently when (various boards) voted to approve the development of a student dormitory on Chestnut Ridge Road.

Despite a multitude of protests from residents of Chestnut Ridge Road and the Willow Ridge Civic Association the town somehow could not turn its back to the lure of increasing its tax base. The project is financed by a Texas-based organization that already has a dormitory structure on Sweet Home Road.

How this community will survive with 550 more students utilizing Chestnut Ridge Road exclusively was completely overlooked by our elected officials. This is not to mention the increase in crime that has been experienced with this organization's Sweet Home dormitory complex during the past year.

This project was about increasing Amherst's tax base and not about the concerns of its residents. It is sad to say but this is most likely the beginning of a slow decline in the quality of life in this once well-kept community. For every elected official who turned their backs on this community, the consequences of that action will soon be the ruin of a great community.

Gary Baltz Jeanmoor Road

Amherst