My apologies in advance for the length of this posting, but I will try to stay on point as best I can and hope to be able to lay all the cards of this issue on the table.

My opinion is based on being a 17 year resident of the Kelly Ridge area in the Hamlet of Carmel, to be directly affected by development of this site; membership on the YMCA advisory board; acquaintance with Paul Camarda starting with my opposition to his "Links" project; an active proponent of high quality economic development (retail not included); and finally as a specialist in environmental insurance which involves me in projects run by real estate and development companies throughout the country.

My core belief is that all the parties on both sides of this issue are people of good will and it is disappointing to hear and read personal attacks being exchanged across the table between those that disagree. My favorite line from my favorite movie is when Sonny says to Michael " this is business and you're taking it very personal", same applies here.

The Good

The prospect of an up market hotel conference center is exciting for me, primarily because I see it as a critical element in creating economic development in the area. Such a facility will bring business "decision makers" to the town which provides an opportunity to market our potential as a place which can be good for their business. Many have doubted Carmel is an appropriate site for such a facility. I would as well, except for the fact that Centennial Golf Club is a part of the concept. This course has a growing reputation as a "must play" facility throughout the Northeast and can on its own merits provide an incentive for a hotel operator to build. I do not see this project as a means of tax relief on its own, but I do see it as a tool necessary to create real economic development which creates high paying quality jobs which brings revenue into our area rather than shipping it out to others.

Inclusion of the YMCA in the overall site concept will be a tremendous enhancement to the quality of life for residents from the very young to the very old. Contrary to what some have said, I can guarantee that as long as my friend Scott Friedman remains alive, there will be a YMCA in our community. There is no better place for it to be than this site and there can be no better legacy of the painful history of this land than a YMCA serving the community for generations to come.

The Bad

The downside is that everything mentioned above is informed speculation. There is a rather large leap of faith necessary, based on a belief that Paul's plans are being made in absolute good faith. There is risk in any venture and in this case I'm going to go with the belief that because a conference center is feasible, Paul will pursue it, if for no other reason than he will make a pile of money from the overall project including development of the town land.

Relocation of the salt shed has been set aside as a non issue. It will become another contentious issue sooner rather than later.

The contract of sale is a patchwork of terms and conditions with little continuity of concept or objective. With absolutely no disrespect to Tom Costello, whom I greatly respect, the Town should have retained a real estate specialist attorney to bang out a contract with Paul's team, making clear the intent of the transaction, including those conditions involving impact to surrounding areas and other quasi related projects such as "The Links."

The skating rink and park should have a cash value attached to them, in the event the Town finds more suitable sites for such facilities and can therefore take cash to fund building elsewhere.

While not an element of the contract of sale, I believe it appropriate for the Town to earmark spending of the purchase price for quality of life enhancements. I fear this money will vanish into the general fund.

There are other negatives but none that sway me to reject the deal.

The Ugly

I believe the basic reason the the land is being sold is a realization that the Town does not have the capability or political wherewithal to properly plan or develop the site on its own.

The level of current rhetoric surrounding the issue is more than enough proof of that being the case.

While hindsight is 20/20, I believe this extraordinary issue should have and could have been managed in extraordinary fashion, through formation of a citizens advisory council to discuss and advise the Town Board, in order to ASSIST not instruct their decisions. Controversy, such as that raging over the appraisal issue could have been avoided. I appreciate that it is the responsibility of the elected to govern, but utilizing the intellectual capital of citizens must also be part of that process.

The ancillary fights that have erupted involving having a vote, changing voting rules because of suspicion of fraud, personal attacks going back and forth because people voice an opinion and out of control ego trips have created a ugly environment for people to live and govern in.

I'm voting yes, with fingers very tightly crossed.

John J Butler