Walt Franklin’s letter regarding Tractor Supply Company’s presentation to the Planning and Zoning Commission was, in my opinion, inaccurate and inappropriate as well as off the mark relative to what kind of businesses we need in Fountain Hills.

He stated that the design called for painted concrete block with no consideration for blending in with the community. The article in The Times on this subject stated the plan called for “split face block painted in a neutral color.” Split face block is not simple concrete block but is amazingly like the split face block that is being featured in the new walls along the renovation, under way, on Avenue of the Fountains.

As far as not wanting the town to look like a farm town strip mall, I guess Mr. Franklin has not driven the length of Saguaro recently with its own strip of tacky places, particularly between Colony and Rand Drives.

We need successful business in Fountain Hills not empty commercial space. Tractor Supply has over 1,300 stores, so it would be my estimate that they have not made too many errors in site selection.

We need businesses that will provide close employment opportunities, which could draw new families. Think of the significant number of construction jobs plus related fees and sales and tax revenue.

We need businesses that will draw people to town to spend their money and generate tax revenue for the town, not simply keep locals from going to Scottsdale.

What could be better than tax money earned from people who make no demands on local services? We desperately need businesses that will draw other new business to fill the empty commercial space now so prevalent.

Simply put, we need businesses. I implore the combined town government to see that this wonderful opportunity does not escape!