Dear Editor:

When I returned home to Babylon Village from college in the 1970s, Babylon’s downtown area was teetering on the edge of an economic downturn. Our supermarkets closed, vacant stores were a common sight along Main Street and Deer Park Avenue, and consumers were turning to “Big Box” stores.

Since then, I have spent my lifetime working with Babylon Village residents and elected officials to help beautify Babylon and make it a prominent center of community activity that is economically stable. Community support and planning are key elements to a successful downtown.

At that time the Babylon Beautification Society was just getting a running start. It was founded in 1974. We joined forces with Village officials on projects that would make the Village a unique and much sought after community that would invigorate business and strengthen economic development.

We started with barrels of flowers which morphed into baskets, which we now hang on decorative gas lights. We planted flowering pear trees throughout the Village, built the Village Gazebo, designed the “Sea Dreams” statue at the library, instituted the cherry tree program at Argyle Lake, and erected the Robert Moses statue at Village Hall. Many of these projects were financed through fundraising efforts, private donations, as well as public funding.

Through collaborative efforts between residents and the public sector, we have dramatically changed Babylon Village’s image. We have transformed it into a unique community with a successful downtown that not only promotes business, bolsters employment, provides shopping and dining opportunities, but also strengthens the quality of life in our community.

Similar to previous projects funded by public/ private partnerships with State, County, Town and Village monies, the Babylon Village Historic Fountain Reconstruction Project is an economically vibrant venture that will promote economic development in our downtown, enhance our Village, stabilize real estate values, assist in lowering unemployment rates and help our businesses to flourish.

I am proud to be part of a 40-year tradition which encourages economic growth and beautifies Babylon Village!
Wayne R. Horsley, S.C. Leg. 14th District
Chair SC Economic Development Committee,
Higher Education and Energy