Letter to the Editor: Kenrick Plaza TIF Decision Will Be Career-Changing for Shrewsbury Board

The members of the Shrewsbury Board of Aldermen have a “life changing” decision to make when the January 23rd Board of Aldermen meeting takes place next week regarding the Kenrick Plaza Development.

These members, five of six who live in the Affton School District where their friends, neighbors and children also reside, will have to face and share the same space with these people if they in fact put the Affton School District and tax paying citizens on the financial hook for the next 23 years.

Moreover, the Board of Aldermen members also work and make their living in this community, some selling real estate in the same exact area that will be affected by their vote.

How can you face the people and not get shunted? Shunted to the point that may affect their livelihood or losing their Board of Aldermen position at the next election.

The Shrewsbury Mayor has said, “The residents have supported members of the board who have supported this project” in a Post Dispatch Jan. 10 article. I say, which residents? Not the over 200 plus that attended the Jan. 9 TIF meeting.

Another Shrewsbury resident has said, "I think we have to look at the more important issue than if it's a Walmart or if it's going to be near our residences,” in a Webster Kirkwood Times Jan. 11 article. I say, live adjacent to this proposed development and let’s see how you react.

Leonardo da Vinci once said, “Every Now and Then Go Away, Have a Little Relaxation, For When You Come Back to Your Work, Your Judgment Will Be Surer.”

The answer is plain to see through the Walmart Trees. Take a breath, sit back and think of the proper way to encourage growth to our city by generating a plan that will fill the Kenrick Plaza property once again, encourage and promote the current developer to overhaul and renovate the current buildings and property to encourage new tenants and start acting like a developer.

Craig and Terri Diliberto 

Related articles:

• Should Walmart Come to Shrewsbury?
• County Commission Votes Against TIF for Shrewsbury Walmart
• No TIF for Walmart: Resident Tired of Subsidizing Corporate Giants