If Tioga County officials get their way, several hundred tractor trailers will exit Route 17 at Apalachin and rumble westward down Route 434 - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - to a distribution center for a major department store.

Tioga County officials are negotiating with a large merchandising corporation to locate a warehouse and truck depot (distribution center) in Tioga County.

The Apalachin Community Press has learned that a large field on Route 434 just west of Forest Hill Road in Apalachin is one of two areas being considered for the distribution center. The Apalachin property, which is currently zoned industrial, is under contract to be purchased by the county. Because the vacant field is not quite large enough for the distribution center, two Apalachin residences on Route 434 adjacent to the property are also under contract for purchase. Tioga County officials informed the owners of the two houses that the county required their property, too, and compelled the owners to give the county an option to buy the land.

The proposed site in Apalachin is adjacent to residential property on Forest Hill Road which would not be purchased by the county. It was learned that a county official said not to let the people on that road know about the project because they won't like what is going to happen.

The other location in Tioga County that is being considered as a location for the distribution center is in Lounsberry.

The distribution center will house both a warehouse and a trucking depot. The company is promising that the distribution center would create approximately 1000 jobs.

Governor Pataki was in Owego last month. Could one of the reasons for his being here have been to sign an agreement with the county to provide incentives for a large facility to be located somewhere in the county?

The distribution center project raises many questions:

The county needs the added tax base, but will it be cancelled by tax breaks?

The potential of 1000 new jobs is good news. But are they full or part time? What would they pay? Will they be filled by local people?

Will the distribution center disrupt the tranquility of residential areas that are near the distribution center or along the routes that the truck will take?

Will the distribution center destroy the image of the area presented to possible tourists traveling on Route 17 - images that groups such as "Bloomin' in Tioga" work so hard to achieve?

Will the added traffic of several hundred tractor trailers create hazards for the already heavily traveled Route 434?

Should elected officials make negotiations that affect so many people without any input from the public?

Should county officials inform you?

It's time for you to inform them that you want to know.