Community Speaks Out About Dollar General

Earlier this week we reported on a proposed Dollar General planned for the corner of Trouble Creek Road and Spring Side Drive, immediately west of Deer Park Elementary School.

The project, which has no completion date set, troubled at least one mother whose daughter attends the school. Linda Nowicki, whose daughter Meghan is a second-grader at Deer Park, was upset about the loss of green space.

Nowicki told Patch she’s seen a hawk in that swath of land,as wells owls, otters and a Florida panther.

Since then, Nowicki has been working on a petition to stop the development of the Dollar General, which was approved by Pasco County officials on May 10. The petition is available online.

Go here to read the full Patch story Dollar General Construction Concerns Deer Park Parent.

Some Patch readers agreed with Nowicki, others didn't.

Here's what they had to say in the story comments section regarding the proposed development.

Patch reader Tonya wrote: "I don't want it there either. I have contacted DGs corp office, the sheriffs office about petition permits, and spoke with school staff. The school doesn't want it and parents don't want it. How did they get it approved, oh right by not informing anyone about the meetings. People cant say no to something they don't know about. Shame on DG for thinking of money before the kids and community."

Patch reader M. King wrote: "The field was for sale for a long time then it said, sold.  Then where all the parents park on the streets and in that field because they don't want to get in the school pick up lines because it is easier to not get in that lock grid fun, should have seen the signs of Public Notice Hearings the hearings were held and anyone was welcome to come and voice opinions if they didn't well then you didn't read the signs or attend the hearing so therefore DG got their permits because the public hearing went well.  SO now all the parents that have an issue with this, guess what instead of parking in a muddy field to avoid car lines you will now have a paved parking lot and what not and the kids will have a shorter walk to the lot verses walking to the intersection of Spring Side Drive and Trouble Creek."

Patch reader Lou wrote: "I remember Target was to take the property where Verizon is, but it was knocked down because of traffic issues with the school. This isn't going to pose any issues?? Besides, how many Dollar Generals do we need and so close together???????"

So what do you think about the proposed Dollar General store planned for Trouble Creek Road? Tell us in the comments.