MIDDLETOWN >> The Board of Supervisors’ decision on Tuesday to green light the Dollar General in Middletown has stirred mixed reactions from local residents, businesses and organizations. While some feel disappointed and enraged, others either support the decision or take neutral stance.
Emotions, like they commonly do, flared the highest on social media — especially on Facebook. In a flurry of posts it was clear a handful people felt betrayed or ignored by the BOS.
“Guess even our small town local politicians don’t listen to the majority of who they are supposed to be representing,” one man wrote.
“[District 1 Supervisor] Jim Comstock can spin this however he wants but he has gone against the wishes of the community he serves and his actions will have huge negative ramifications regarding rebuilding in South Lake County,” another commented, drawing many likes.
Yet, other groups — who weren’t as vocal as the opposition — welcomed the idea of a chain store, or at least didn’t think it was that big of a deal.
According to Middletown Area Town Hall (MATH) Chairman Fletcher Thornton, the public input taken during the BOS hearing or last week’s MATH meeting didn’t speak for everyone in town. He indicated the post-decision response better represented to scope of public feeling. In fact, he claimed to know a handful of business owners who were somewhat apathetic over the decision.
“The world is not going to come to an end because Dollar General is coming to Middletown,” Thornton said, acknowledging the passionate response of those against it. “The fire was devastating but having a store here isn’t devastating. “
Even the Middletown Area Merchants Association (MAMA) took a neutral stance, its secretary, Tanya Striedieck, said.
“The merchant’s association on the whole is here to promote business,” Striedieck said. “As a general rule of thumb, MAMA didn’t come out with a ‘yay’ or ‘nay’ response.”
Speaking on a personal level though, the Star Gardens owner said her fellow proprietors didn’t want it. One of the biggest reasons is that the proposed site — 20900 South State Highway 29 — was close to Middletown High School and other schools.
“Most of the business people here feel this is not going to be good for their business,” she added. “Nobody likes the location of it.
No word has been given whether or not the opposition will take any action against the decision, which was approved 3-2 by the board.
MAMA President Beth Rudiger did not return requests for comment despite multiple attempts.
