After reading comments in July 17 and 24 issues of the Flier, I would like to submit a response to some unsubstantiated "beliefs" that were put forth.

First, "there is significant support favoring the proposal for additional residential units in the village center" (without provision for a food store. Has there been a secret canvas of the residents to support such a claim? Ten people do not a village make.

Second, "a grocery store is not viable in the village center location." If 5,000 new units are viable, why not a grocery store that would not only be an attraction for increased traffic to the planned retail stores, but also serve as a convenience to the residents? The claim that the closest convenience of a grocery store is "a mile away," is not a valid one (broken odometer?).

Not everyone (especially the growing older population) can just jump in their car to go food shoppping. The prohibitive pricing of the suggested alternative would not be realistic to the average-income worker or those on fixed incomes. In addition, how much competition would these retail stores bear when the 30-year master plan for downtown comes to fruition? A food store would still draw traffic to the village center.

Jim Rouse's concept for the villages of Columbia in 1970 had one basic premise still holds true and should not be ignored: people. People are the primary source of success in a community. When their needs are met (food, as well as housing and clothing) the community will flourish.

Residents of Wilde Lake, send your views via e-mails and letters to your board members and be a part of the true picture that will influence the quality of life in our village.

Irene Gabriel

Wilde Lake

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