Legoland Proposal Splits Community

A mid-December community meeting to discuss the proposed construction of a new LEGOland theme park just north of New York City in the town of Goshen had supporters and opponents turn out dressed in red and yellow-green shirts. The supporters in yellow-green cited the economic benefits and jobs from the new theme park while opponents in red cited traffic, noise and quality of life issues. Ginny Privitar of The Chroniclereports that the community meeting to discuss the 153 acre park was attended by 900 people, many strongly expressing their opinions over choruses of boos and loud applause.

Business owner Amanda Woods said opponents have a "utopian ideology that's anti-capitalism."

"Business people have been bullied by the opposition with ferocious attacks," she said.

Woods said people are "sick and tired of ideologic protesters. Just look what happened in November, we elected a businessman to fix our country, to make America great again," adding, as applause nearly drowned out her remarks: "Now let's make Goshen great."

The town of Goshen must approve a zone change for the proposed site from residential use in order to let the project move forward. However, opponents believe the decision should be left to residents through a referendum. Comments on the project will continue to be taken through January 10th.