If You Ask Me / By Martha Knight

A few weeks ago I wrote about things that were happening 24 years ago, according to the Reporter Argus.

The Zoning Hearing Board had deferred a decision concerning a variance sought by the owner of the Grand Theatre building.

The Port Allegany Planning Commission, which deals with planning and zoning and applications for conditional uses and such had just acquired a new chairman, Tom Johnson. He succeeded Richie Peterson, who became vice-chairman.

The planners were about to tackle concocting  a long-range plan, as required by law, and writing a new zoning ordinance.

Planning Commission member Marty Moses was quoted as wondering, “Where does the snowball end? How large do we expect to go? What will the town be like in 10 or 20 years?”

One of the reasons the planners were contemplating possible changes was that the Port Allegany Area Economic Development Corporation (PAAEDC) was “working to bring industry to the area.” Uncontrolled growth was considered a bad thing for communities. Too much development or industry in the wrong place could lead to problems, a negative effect on the quality of life, outstripping the capacity of the infrastructure, and loss of the traditional character of the town.

The PAAEDC was led by Tom Causer as president, with committee chairs Dr. Jim Carlson (strategy), Dick Linn (communications) and Marg Healy(data base). They were getting the word out to “potential wood using industries” that there was a good location at Turtlepoint.

Turtlepoint is part of the Port Allegany Area, so PAAEDC was hopeful about the prospect that Southern Tier particleboard would build a production facility there. The old railroad building would be utilized, and a new rail spur or siding would be constructed if grant funds could be secured. An application for $985,000 had been denied, but Causer said the group was not discouraged.

At the same time the planning commission was worried about excessive and haphazard growth, some members of PEEADC were concerned about the same thing. Rev. Mr. Ken Tulloch thought there should be a committee to study the long-term effects of economic development on the community’s life style and ambience.

Tulloch’s motion to that effect, seconded by Sue Carlson, was voted down, 10-3. “Ed Lias spoke for the majority: “Let’s get the first plant going and then worry about it.”As it turned out, the first plant has yet to get going, and rampant industrial development, a building boom and local population explosion have not occurred.

Dick Kallenborn, a McKean County commissioner at the time, warned that the county landfill was under a Department of Environmental Resources edict to be closed within weeks, if it did not clear a number of hurdles to recertification.

An ad notified people that they could buy “Tales of the Alleghenys” by Robert G. Fortner by sending the author $7.21 for each book ordered. That would have been a handy reference volume for planners wanting a return to the good old days. These days pages from that book are posted on Port Allegany Remember When.

Currently the Planning Commission is working on a revision of the Comprehensive Plan, and seeking to harmonize its efforts with nearby townships. My feeling is that the borough needs to collaborate with Liberty Township, because it surrounds us, and theoretically could besiege us. As for Annin Township, the state Representative hails from there, as does one county commissioner—and there was a time when two of the three commishes were from there.

Collaborative planning is urged by state and federal agencies, and favored by granting agencies. However, urgings by local planners for collaboration with neighboring townships are resisted by some as undesirable. I haven’t actually heard the word “appeasement,” but perhaps that would be the gist.

The landfill has not closed, but was privatized. STP did not build a particleboard plant at Turtlepoint, but it is said that a plant that would utilize cellulosic materials is at some stage of development in the borough, near the railroad. I can’t tell you more about the mysterious Terra Green operation, though, because so far it is hush-hush.

As for PAAEDC, I don’t hear much about manufacturing industries, there, but the chief industries under discussion seem to be tourism and recreation and businesses that cater to those industries. They do have some of the same officers as back then.

•    •    •    •

News that the Ethan Allen plant has been sold to a collector of vintage fire trucks and will be used to house his collection got me thinking about Viking-Artline furniture, later Viko, later Ethan Allen. Ethan Allen closed its Eldred area operation in 2009, putting 250 people out of work.

Viking Artline was founded after World War II at the site of the former National Munitions Company, and was moved at least once. It became a major employer in this area.

Viko specialized in modern design, economical furniture, featuring metal and plastic, pressed wood and a cleancut Eames/Nordic appearance.

Acquisition by Ethan Allen came during the era when “colonial” and Early American architecture and furnishings were in vogue. The namesake New Englander and hero would have been startled at some of the modern fibers and the concept of the Early American entertainment center, complete with a TV, but might have found the living room suites sturdy, comfy and practical.

Use of the property for the stated purpose would seem to foreclose hopes of major employment there. Seems to me there was a KOZ there—tax abatement and so forth, to lure a developer. But I would expect the property to go back on the tax rolls—and probably the taxing authorities and other taxpayers hope so too.

The WWII Museum does draw tourists. Likely history buffs interested in period fire fighting apparatus would like to visit a collection of that kind.

Peace.