Hi Beth, please send out to everyone on the e-mail list ASAP ----->
URGENT NOTE: SEE THE LETTER BELOW FROM THE SALVATION ARMY. They have decided to build on the land across from Lexington Oaks. Despite their efforts to make the store attractive, it is our opinion that the store will keep our property values down, much like putting in a Pawn Shop or industrial-type business. You do not see Goodwill or Salvation Army stores in New Tampa, those residents would never allow it. We need to keep up the pressure on our city officials to block their ability to build on that property.
Jim O'Brien found a buyer for their property, and they would reap a profit from selling it, but they have refused to sell. As residents, if we write letters to them stating that we will not do business or provide contributions, then they may reconsider. Why do they want to build there? Because they think they will get contributions from 1500 Lexington Oaks homes, of course! Could they fill their store with goods to sell without our contributions? I doubt it!
Send your email or letter to the addresses below. THIS MUST BE DONE NOW! HAVE YOUR NEIGHBORS SIGN YOUR LETTERS AND FORWARD THIS EMAIL ASAP.
KEEP YOUR HOME VALUES IN MIND, WE NEED OUR VALUES TO START COMING BACK UP, NOT DOWN. (WE OWN TWO HOUSES IN LEXINGTON OAKS AND CAN'T SELL THEM FOR WHAT WE OWE ON THEM.)
ANITA AND ERIC STONE
The Salvation Army National Headquarters
Attn: Major Larry White
615 Slaters Lane
P.O. Box 269
Alexandria, VA 22313
Date: 4/11/2008 5:33:31
Subject: Salvation Army Family Store Project - Wesley Chapel
It has been some months since I spoke with you last but I wanted to take
this opportunity to follow up with you and thank you for your concern and
interest in The Salvation Army's efforts to find the most feasible location
for a planned new Family Store location in the Wesley Chapel area. After
carefully considering the alternative locations that were suggested, The
Salvation Army has determined that the present location at State Road 54
and Lexington Oaks Blvd. is still the most feasible location for our use.
In the near future, we will be moving forward with the construction of a
new modern Family Store facility and also with a strong commitment to being
a consistent and conscientious good neighbor in the Wesley Chapel
community. We will certainly work hard to be an asset to the community by
providing a variety of items for shoppers and bargain hunters at very
reasonable prices. We also hope to provide for many, a convenient way to
make tax-deductible donations of no longer needed household items which
will in turn, continue to help The Salvation Army help others. We are
committed to doing this with a well-maintained and efficiently run facility
that we hope the community, over time, will appreciate and feel good about.
I have attached a letter to any concerned resident of the area which
explains our rationale for moving forward with this county approved
project. I hope that it will be helpful in addressing a number of sincere
concerns that were previously expressed.
Thank you again for doing what you could to help us consider all the
possibilities available to us.
May God bless you.
Sincerely,
Major Don Smith, Administrator
The Salvation Army Tampa ARC
(SEE BELOW: Wesley Chapel Family Store Concerned Resident
Response.doc)
Shaw Clifton, General
Max Feener, Territorial Commander
Major Larry W. White, ARC Commander
Major Don Smith, Tampa ARC Administrator
April 7, 2008
Dear Concerned Resident,
The Salvation Army's decision to proceed with plans to construct a new modern family store on State Road 54 west of I-75 at Lexington Oaks Boulevard was determined by various factors which I will try to summarize as follows:
(1) The present site owned by The Salvation Army at State Road 54 and Lexington Oaks Boulevard which was approved by the county for our intended commercial use only, lends itself to greater visibility and access than any other commercially zoned site that The Salvation Army was able to consider. Two other sites considered had either retail businesses blocking the view of the available property or had substantial road widening work which was yet to be done by the county at a later date.
(2) Another consideration was that at the other two considered sites, construction of a new retail family store facility would have been on the same side of the street as existing housing developments. At the existing owned location, construction would take place on the opposite side of the street and would therefore be less intrusive.
(3) The time and resources already invested in the presently owned property in terms of engineering and permitting work at a site already approved by the county for such use would be lost.
(4) The Salvation Army is committed to being a good retail neighbor at the presently owned State Road 54 site and will make every effort to run its retail business in an efficient orderly manner. This would include appropriate landscaping work at the new modern family store site.
(5) The Salvation Army would only hire the same individuals for employment who would be eligible for employment at other businesses and retail entities in the immediate area. All potential employees have to pass background screening guidelines set forth by our territorial headquarters office. Sexual offenders are not eligible for employment.
(6) We believe that this new modern family store location at our presently owned and county approved site would serve effectively as a retail outlet providing desirable household goods and collectibles at economic prices to bargain hunters and collectors from across the socio-economic spectrum. We also feel that it would serve the community by giving residents a convenient and efficient way to make tax-deductible donations of no longer needed but useable household items such as clothing, furniture and collectibles. Proceeds from the sale of family store items go to support the on-going people helping services of The Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center ~ 813 972-0471 f. 813 971-0792 ~ web: satampa.org
Please join with us in Doing The Most Good…for donation pick-up, call 1 800 95 TRUCK
"May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us and establish the work of our hands." Psalm 90:17
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(7) As clearly determined by zoning regulations, this location would never be and could never be used for any other purpose than a family retail store.
We certainly want to prove ourselves to be a conscientious and valued neighbor in the days ahead. Please be assured of our desire to earn your trust and to provide a positive and helpful retail and service opportunity for the community.
May God bless you.
Sincerely,
Major Don Smith, Administrator
The Salvation Army ARC, Tampa Florida
