Ch, ch, ch Changes
Change...
Most of the people on this planet DO NOT like change. I don't blame them. I would LOVE to be able to go outside and play at my age now. This is, of course, I change out of my school clothes first. I would LOVE to be able to buy penny candy. Can't do that now, because I am a diabetic.
Where I grew up, where I called home... That Whole block. Home Street, around the next corner. Prospect Ave...around the next corner, 169th Street...around the next corner, Stebbins Ave... From the time I can remember to now, it has changed a number of times. Early 1940s 5-storied Tennant Walk-Ups. Then 2 Family Homes... Then torn down, and more 2 Family homes were built. But I wanted the buildings I lived in to still be there today. Other buildings in the neighborhood... Hell, my elementary school is STILL there, PS 99...well, being used as something. My Junior High School is still being used as a school. The neighborhood changed, then the people changed. Or, was it the other way around?
Which brings me to today. This quiet, sleepy tourist attraction of a town in a GREAT way will be going through a MAJOR change. Close to 700 dwellings...from townhouses, and 2 and 3 bedroom homes... To 1 and 2, 3-bedroom apartments. Many have lost their minds over this. The Powers that be have already asked for 135.8 million dollars. It's been approved. The Powers that be also approved of MORE Data Centers, and an increase in the Power Company, raising their rates. People were seeing $900 to $1,300 electric bills. People were actually believing that these Data Centers were paying their Fair Share in bills for Power consumption. They suped someone up to go on TV, on the news, and to speak to the general Public that the reason why they are seeing over $1,000 in an electric bill was because of the 9-day cold snap we had. I was in a cafe, watching this guy speak with about 10 others. I said "WHAT?!!" I looked around, those 10 others...mouths gaped open, drooling. Had this funny look in their eyes.
The online community website is telling everyone to come to the meeting that is coming up, to voice their opinion. I said for what? The ink is dry on the contact they made with the developers. Raising of property tax, sewer, and garbage collection tax. They built an animal shelter for dogs and cats, with the taxes they raised. Then turned around and said that they had no food for the animals, and asked people to donate, which they did. I said..."You have whole families living in the woods in tents, and you don't have enough shelters and affordable housing. But you know what the people said..."Where are the wild animals going to go?" There was an article that the Cardinals are disappearing. That same day, I counted 27.
People were saying... Why do they need to build all these houses and apartments? This is a small town... How do they find out about this town?" I said they advertised on cable, and all these free streaming sites. They responded.. I don't see how. I watch TV, and I've never seen an advertisement or anything about this town. Of course you don't, and you won't. Anyone living here can not afford what they are building. Here is where The Change" creeps in...
"When I was 21, and I purchased my house, I would work, go shopping, and come home. Found me a husband, and as I got older... I paid for my house, it's mine. Husband, we are divorced, but we are still friends. Kids are grown, they don't want to live here, they've moved. I love my house." I asked, " Do you pay property tax, she said yeah. I asked, why? "I don't have time for all of that. My house is paid for, it's mine, and no one can take it away from me."I said... Your house is sitting on property. Do you own the property? She said no. Well, maybe, I hope not... Someone might come along and offer the county BILLIONS of dollars for the subdivision your house is sitting on. 90 days before you have to pay your property tax, you'll get a letter telling you that they will not be charging you this coming Property Tax Season. Also... The County is willing to make you an offer for your home, which will be slightly below market value, but you have never seen that many numbers before in your life. You'll huff and puff, screaming you're not going anywhere. But you will... Because if you don't, they will take it away from you, arrest you, and charge you some sort of fine, pay for the lawyers they hired to take it away from you...And as you are leaving the jail 40 days later, they will hand you a check for what your home was worth and all that was inside of it...because they took your belongings, everything inside, gave you a price for it, and all you have is what is on your back.
Ch, ch, ch, Changes!!
When I first moved here in 2021. I saw it. I said, "5 to 7 years from now, you won't recognize this place." It's starting.