Saturday, March 18, 2006

ADE Sat Letters to the Editor

Is a Wal-Mart what you want?: "There have been articles critical of Wal-Mart's business practices as an employer and as a purchaser insisting that products sold in Wal-Mart be manufactured outside the USA. Saranac Lake might want to research these aspects of this giant before they invite him in."

Vote for Michael, Fontana, Waters: "I am writing because I feel our community is at a critical juncture. Will our village, 'the commercial and social center for many smaller hamlets in the vicinity,' control its own future, or will we cede control to outside forces?"

Irresponsible stances by Republicans: "Jeff Branch has shown extreme arrogance by taking the position that he supports a 121,000-square-foot Wal-Mart without knowing all the facts or listening to all sides of the issue. This is disrespectful to the public he serves. This is pandering for votes."

When you are buying a new car do you tell the salesperson that you have just GOT to have that care no matter what - before you start bargaining?

Questions about Wal-Mart: "On March 21, 2006, vote for candidates who think our downtown is one of our community's best assets."

Wal-Mart has abandoned other communities: "Please try to picture the entrance to our beautiful little town in 10 years if Wal-Mart does not its projected goals and abandons ship."

Will all of the Wal-Mart supercenters located in Plattsburgh, Malone, Potsdam, Ticonderoga and Saranac Lake (a 60 mile radius) survive? Wal-Mart must have a heck of a marketing plan and it sure doesn't involve helping you spend money anywhere but at Wal-Mart.

Fight for Saranac Lake people, not Wal-Mart: "Life is about people, not things or stuff we can purchase. Having a 121,000-square-foot something does not validate our existence." "We do not want to sell out to this huge retailer who does not and will not care about our lives." "Can we demand that Wal-Mart downsize its store to a mini-super center?"

WalMart Neighborhood Markets are about 42,000 to 55,000 sq ft. Read more here.

Wal-Mart tied to oppressive Chinese gov't: "My concern about Wal-Mart, which is the leading retailer in our nation, is its status as being in the forefront of sending U.S. dollars to China." "The issue with Wal-Mart is not just about how village stores get impacted and where underwear can be purchased at the lowest price; it is alos a moral and ethical question based on China's practices regarding how our money is spent."

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Another thing to consider: if Walmart comes to town they will bring outside construction crews and not hire locals. They will also bring in outside managers so the jobs open to locals will be clerks and "greeters"...

Here's an excerpt from WNBZ news this weekend (3/18):

MALONE WAL-MART PROJECT PICKETED

Union laborers picketed the site of the under-construction Wal-Mart Supercenter in Malone Thursday.

A spokesman for Laborers Local 322 in Massena told the Plattsburgh Press-Republican that no local workers are being used for the $12 million job.

Scott Hilyard said the Pike Company, the general contractor on the project, had led them to believe they would hire local people. But they realized that wasn’t the case after construction began. “Wal-Mart wants these same people to shop here but they won’t hire them,” he said.

Hilyard says the company is using workers from the Rochester area, where the Pike Company is headquartered.

Company officials would not comment on the picketers claims.

The union plans to return to the construction site again today.

Wal-Mart is building a 184,000 square foot supercenter on 26 acres on Route 11 that will feature grocery items, general merchandise, a tire and lube operation, pharmacy, garden center and fueling station.

http://www.wnbz.com/main.htm