After two disappointing attempts, one would think that local resident Steve Krulick and his group (WERD or Wawarsing-Ellenville for Responsible Development) would give up presenting his drafted moratorium concerning large-scale development to the Town Board.

Krulick's first effort was attempted at the January 4, 2007 Wawarsing Town Board Meeting which, due to the board's lack of action, he provided, via email, each member and the town's attorney, with a moratorium which he drafted himself. Allotted three minutes to petition his cause, Krulick attempted to summarize the twenty-page document while stressing its importance for the community.

Reconvening after two weeks, Krulick returned to Town Hall, this time with more supporters in tow. The meeting was also attended and outnumbered by a number of individuals who were against any moratorium.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance and the introduction of the Town Board members, the time for petitioning began. With each speaker given three-minutes for petitioning, concerned citizens, one after the other, offered their thoughts. Many concerned citizens brought up the reoccurring topics of jobs and shopping convenience, claiming that the Town of Wawarsing is in need of both. Krulick and his supporters countered that though area jobs are needed, and convenience is usually welcome, Wal-Mart is not necessarily the answer. "With a five-hundred percent turn-over rate, everyone in the community will have a chance to work at Wal-Mart," quipped Krulick.

As the debate continued, Bella Volchik, owner of Napanoch Valley Wines and Liquor and Katherine's Korner, presented the Board with a petition containing over one-thousand signatures in favor of Wal-Mart, which Supervisor Dolaway accepted. After allowing final petitioners, Dolaway asked the Board to weigh-in on the topic.

Terry Houck, a three-year Board member, began the dialogue saying, "This is a difficult decision for the Town Board to make, as well as the community." Houck went on to explain that ultimately the Board does not have a choice in whether or not a private property owner sells his business, or to whom.

John Gavaris continued that although he shops at Wal-Mart, he isn't sure that he wants one "in his back yard." "I'm not opposed to Wal-Mart," Gavaris assured, "but I do think a moratorium has its effectiveness. However, it lacks support."

Afterwards, Tom Geelan argued that the type or quality of jobs that Wal-Mart provides are no different than most of the area's job offerings. He said, "The jobs you get in this town are minimum-wage jobs," Geelan explained, "The jobs you get at Wal-Mart are minimum-wage jobs."

Finally Supervisor Dolaway ended the discussion stating, "What I'm hearing from the community is 'We want this store.'"

In the course of one half-hour, the second proposal to consider a moratorium to research the affects of large-scale retail development was once again defeated. "It couldn't have been any clearer," said Krulick, "it isn't Wal-Mart, it's a moratorium."

Following the setback at the most recent Town Board meeting, WERD regrouped to discuss how best to continue their campaign. "We're going to attempt to reach out to the public, and educate them on things they may not be aware of concerning big box stores," assures Krulick, who plans to continue to present the Town Board with other proposals. "Thursday evening was the first skirmish in an ongoing presentation," he continues; "We're not going anywhere."

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