Tonawanda is vital to health of Elm Grove

Public Forum:

I am writing in hopes that you will print the opinions of the many Elm Grove residents in the possible closing of Tonawanda (vs. Hillside).

Tonawanda is an extremely important asset to the village of Elm Grove. Two main reasons why Tonawanda is so valuable:

1. It gives a closer sense of community if we can send all our children to one centralized school in the village. It allows us to get to know our neighbors better, for children to have friends that live down the street from them and for parents to branch out and meet other parents that also live nearby. Elm Grove is a very community focused village, much more so than Brookfield, simply because of the size. The ramifications of closing Tonawanda vs. Hillside would be far more detrimental to the community as a whole.

2. It also impacts our property values as having a school nearby (within walking distance to many homes) is highly desirable for families with children. As a real estate professional, I cannot tell you how many buyers I have worked with who will specifically buy in proximity to Tonawanda so their children may be close to school. It is a neighborhood school, and it is important to the village of Elm Grove that it stays open.

Please take time to attend the listening session at Tonawanda on Sept. 23rd at 8 p.m. I appreciate your consideration.

Mary Pentler

Elm Grove