WURTSBORO – In an effort to convince the New York State Department of Transportation that closing Exit 114 on Route 17 Westbound would be detrimental to the Village of Wurtsboro, State Senator Peter Oberacker held an informal news conference at Veterans Memorial Park in Wurtsboro on Wednesday morning. Around 50 people came to listen to the Senator and provide feedback on how the closure would impact businesses along Sullivan Street.
”You know, if you’re quiet, they may think you’re complacent and if you’re complacent then they’ll take it that you really didn’t matter,” said Oberaker. “So today is a day to make a little noise and listen to the stakeholders and bring back what I learned here to the decision-makers in Albany.”
The owner of Crystal Connection, Travis Ogden, talked about how he has watched Sullivan Street businesses thrive over the years. Ogden said that he is concerned that closing Exit 114 would dramatically impact his business.
“If that’s closed that cuts off a huge main flow of traffic coming into town organically,” he said.
The owner of Busy Bee Taxi, Donna Beickert, said that she would have to charge more to her customers if Exit 114 were to close.
“The only alternative is taking 113, which is going to cost my customers more money too because we’re coming up and around to go back into the village,” she said.
Officials at the state Department of Transportation have not yet made a determination whether or not the exit will close.
