Canajoharie concerns raised at hearing
Public hearing on Beech-Nut draws small crowd in FloridaBy KERRY McAVOY, The Leader-Herald
Article Photos
FLORIDA - The small number of people who came to speak at the Hero/Beech-Nut public hearing Wednesday all spoke about the same thing - helping Canajoharie.
Those who spoke all had differing ideas about what the company could do to help the village.
Jane Kulczycki, an economic development specialist with the Empire State Development Corp., and attorney J. Paul Kolodziej conducted the meeting at the Old Town Barn from 11 a.m. to noon.
Former Canajoharie Mayor Randall Houge complained about the lack of study about how departure of Beech-Nut would affect the village of Canajoharie.
Houge said it's been more than a year since the plans were announced, and he hasn't seen any allocation or consideration of the effect on Canajoharie.
"This facility represents almost 25 acres in the village and has some economic liability to the village, including an unpaid water and sewer bond," Houge said.
Houge said there are several items that have not been addressed in the state environmental impact study regarding the economic and environmental effect on Canajoharie.
"I want to go on record saying that from my point of view ... I believe that Canajoharie was not, is not and has not been considered in this proposed project," Houge said.
Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor Commission Executive Director Fred Miller said he supports the project to keep jobs in the Mohawk Valley.
Miller said his organization represents more than 200 municipalities across eight counties.
Miller said his group has been working with Canajoharie and the surrounding towns and villages to help after Beech-Nut leaves town.
He said he also has worked with Beech-Nut in the past to help.
"The solution to Canajoharie is simple - you prosper with the company. You don't fight with the company," Miller said.
He said he has been studying the situation and believes many companies will leave the area
"The options are easy," Miller said. "You have a company stay, [and] they keep people employed. Or, you have a company that you fight and argue with, and they move to South Carolina. And then you have nothing."
Beech-Nut Vice President of Business Development Edouard Feller spoke to the small group about his company's plans.
Feller said he wanted to reassure people that his company intends to meet all promises made publicly about employment, purchases and working with the community.
Feller said Beech-Nut officials have met with Canajoharie village leaders, and they have addressed the Board of Trustees about the company's commitment to help the village after it leaves.
Feller said Beech-Nut representatives, including himself, have been going around to people in the town of Florida to get to know the community better.
The Empire State Development Corp. will give about $35 million in grants to the estimated $134 million project.
Kulczycki said the grants were being given to help retain up to 350 jobs in the area and introduce up to 150 new ones.
The Empire State Development Corp. board was required to conduct a public hearing on the incentive package before it can grant formal approval. It now will decide whether to approve or deny the incentive package. Officials were unsure when the final decision would be made.
Kerry McAvoy covers Montgomery County. She can be reached at montco@leaderherald.com.
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Jay001
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06-27-08 8:01 AM
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low ground??? There wasn't a flood in downtown Canajoharie of that magnitude EVER!! Despite all kinds of heavy rain and spring flooding over the years it never happened. Something else happened that day that has never been fully explained to the public. I think if you check the facts, you'll find downtown Canjo is NOT in a flood plain.
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Deux2eye
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06-26-08 4:45 PM
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MindenMaiden would you please do me a favor and move out of the county. You have nothing good to say about anything. you complained about the after school program for KIDS and you absolutley had no idea what you were talking about. like i said before I will you pay your part of the taxes to keep the program which probably cost about $2.00 a year if that. People in Canajo ahve a right to be upset. now if they can get Arkell Hall to spend some money on something worth while like a nice recreation facility for the kids and adults and not some useless art museum that no one cares about. So move to florida and fight with all the old people there.
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barbijane1016
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06-26-08 4:22 PM
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"Beech-Nut representatives have been going around to people in the town of Florida to get to know the community better." If this is true, then I guess I can be expecting a knock at my door. I won't hold my breath waiting for it, though.
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MindenMaiden
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06-26-08 12:58 PM
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Ad GEE WHIZ....do we need o wait untoil another flood comes to wash the darn thing away? Its built on low ground! In a flood palin for crying out loud!
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MindenMaiden
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06-26-08 12:57 PM
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GET OVER IT CANJO! Factories come and go...the BeechNut is past its prime...family members have talked about the rats they saw when they were working baby food...its a fire hazzard and environmentally unsound...lead paint. asbestoes...crumbling walls...lost heat thru the windows and cracks below the doors...PROGRESS!...If you think the new factory is too far away...then move...STP WHINING!
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