The Wawarsing Town Board did something that local residents have been asking them to do for the last several months - they moved quickly, acted decisively and approved an action aimed to provide an economic stimulus to the area. Gentlemen (and ladies), start your griping.

Several people at the August 2, 2007 town board meeting voiced concerns ranging from school buses to family pets to noise. The town board heard person after person raise and re-raise concerns about public safety and the welfare of the community. And when the vote came, Councilman Gavaris, Councilwoman Gunter and Supervisor Dolaway (the only board members in attendance) all voted to welcome Rally New York, Ltd. to the quiet and peaceful streets of Wawarsing.

The Town Hall audience was not impressed with promises of hundreds of thousands of dollars in possible revenue for local businesses, or the possible notoriety the area might gain by hosting such an event on a regular basis. Instead, local residents came down with a sudden case of NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard).

This is not to say that their concerns were invalid. Indeed, concern for private property, public safety and worries about the suitability of area roads are justifiable. Furthermore, the lack of a full board to discuss and reason its way through each members' reservations is far from ideal when asked to consider a matter that would temporarily suspend the rule of law on 20 miles of our local roads. In addition, the time constraints with which the board had to deliberate bring into question how thoroughly they were able to explore the positive and negative consequences of such an event.

But, beyond this event, the question is - what are we willing to sacrifice to gain in economic benefits? Peace and quiet? Safety? Easy access to our homes?

This question was posed, to a different extent, when news of a possible Wal-Mart hit the area. At that time, the Wawarsing Town Board was willing to let the side that spoke the loudest and had the largest numbers have their way and, though they entertained the opposition, it was not given a great deal of credence. Then, the majority of the audience at the town's board meetings had spoken and the board decided that they represented the prevailing view of town residents.

Now, the town board decided to overrule the outspoken elements in the audience and move forward with their decision, on the recommendation of the Ulster County Board of Tourism, the Ellenville-Wawarsing Chamber of Commerce and municipalities that have acted as rally hosts in the past.

There is no reason to welcome Rally New York back if it does not abide by its promises of safety, economic benefits and respect for citizens. The Ellenville Journal will be reviewing the selected roads throughout the area, before and after the race, to document any damage or garbage left behind. Only then, when the smoke clears, will we know if it was all worth it.

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