Wal-Mart Commentary by SAGA

In todays ADE, a guest commentary on Wal-Mart written by SAGA representative Mark Kurtz. Mr. Kurtz reinterates and discusses the criteria that SAGA believes should be followed for Wal-Mart to build in Saranac Lake.

These include:

Location: Downtown SL would be best. In this regard, Mayor Michael met with Wal-Mart reps and developers yesterday to discuss other building locations in SL.

Size: Follow store size limitations of 40,0000 sq ft for a single store or 68,000 sq ft for a shopping center.

This commentary should result in a spate of Letters to the Editor and calls to TOT.

Singing the Praises of Jim Sinegal - Costco

This weeks Time Magazine lists their 100 people who shape our world. Jim Sinegal is listed under 'builders and titans'.

Mr. Sinegal is the CEO of Costco. He makes $350,000 a year not including a modest bonus and stock options.

Costco is one of the U.S.'s largest companies, with 118,800 workers, 473 warehouse-club stores and sales of $51.9 billion in its most recent fiscal year. Costco's stock has trounced archrival Wal-Mart's in recent years. Perhaps most unusual, Sinegal has resisted Wall Street pressure to become a less generous employer; store workers earn an average of $17 an hour and pay just 9% of the cost of health insurance, a rich package in the penny-pinching retail industry. "Our attitude is that if you hire good people and pay them a fair wage, then good things will happen for the company," says Sinegal, who remains hale at 70.

If you Google 'Jim Sinegal' you will find that many others also sing his praises.

Mr. Sinegal has said "We pay much better than Wal-Mart. That's not altruism. It's good business." A full time clerk or warehouse worker at Costco makes $41,000 a year with great health benefits. Yep. Wal-Mart makes twice as much profit as Costco but Mr. Sinegal believes in making a 'profit' not a killing and to invest in his workers.

Who would have thought you can make money in retail AND provide for your employees?

Sandpit Rezoning Discussion - May 15th

The Saranac Lake Village Board will discuss the possible rezoning of the village sandpit area on Lake Flower Avenue. This is the 10 acre site that Wal-Mart is hoping to purchase from the village. Mayor Michael states that this meeting is not a Wal-Mart referendum but rather an opportunity to ask questions of the consulting engineer, Andy Abdullah. The village has thus far spent $18,000 on the rezoning process and it will cost an estimated $32,000 more. The SEQR process has been completed so Trustee John McEneany suggests that the board should decide whether or not to proceed with the rezoning process. McEneany is also concerned that the meeting could turn into a 'free-for-all'. Read more here at WNBZ.

Harrietstown Town Board Wants Wal-Mart in Downtown

There is a new interesting local development on Wal-Mart. Harrietstown Town Board has passed a resolution stating that it doesn't want Wal-Mart or any other large retailer to build outside the downtown area.

In todays ADE:

Instead board members want a committee consisting of local leaders to encourage development in the downtown area.

The resolution passed by the Harrietstown board authorizes Miller to send a letter to the Saranac Lake village mayor, Saranac Lake-Area Chamber of Commerce executive director and chairman of the Red Carpet Committee. The letter will ask the leaders of these groups to meet in a work session to develop a strategy for drawing retailers to downtown.

Smaller store and downtown location seems to be a reasonable compromise.

Shackling Wal-Mart

Jeff Milchen, the co-founder of the American Independent Business Alliance, writes about the Shackling of Wal-Mart. This is an article discussing the outcry against Wal-Mart's request to enter the banking industry. A public outcry "led to the first-ever public hearings held by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for a banking application".

I think this is true:

Naturally, Wal-Mart executives complain that it’s unfair for the Target Corporation to own a bank while they cannot, and they understandably are frustrated that Target largely escapes scrutiny for operating a business that emulates Wal-Mart in almost every manner. But just as many communities rightfully control big box stores more stringently than small businesses, Wal-Mart’s power demands we control it more stringently.

People continually wonder why the uproar against Wal-Mart and not other big box stores. Maybe it's because they don't understand the enormous size, financial advantage, and political power that is wielded by Wal-Mart.

Guess Who is Funding Repeal of the 'Death Tax'?

Mainly 18 super rich families including our nemesis.

The stakes of the campaign are great, not only for the super-wealthy families, but for the public. If the families’ repeal bid succeeds, it will cost the U.S. Treasury a trillion dollars in the first decade – roughly what it would cost to provide health insurance for every uninsured person in the United States.

The Walton family's net worth is 83.7 billion dollars. If the 'Death Tax' is repealed they stand to save 32.6 billion dollars. The average family on the other hand is 4 times more likely to get hit by lightning than have to pay the 'Death Tax'. 99.7% of people who die in the USA in 2006 will not have to pay estate taxes.

Report from Public Citizen is here (pdf).

Wal-Mart Reps Refuse Invite to Village Board Meeting

Tom Micheal, Mayor of Saranac Lake, invited Wal-Mart representatives to attend a May 15 Village Board Meeting. At this meeting there will be a presentation concerning the rezoning of the village sandpit site where Wal-Mart has expressed interest in building a store. Thus far, the Wal-Mart reps have refused the invitation. Read more here in today's ADE.

One interesting bit of information is that Mr. Micheal met with Wal-Mart reps last February as a representative of the 'Red Carpet Team' prior to being elected mayor.

Michael said he told the Wal-Mart representatives at that meeting there were other possible sites in the village for potential development and that the Wal-Mart representatives were interested in hearing those ideas.

Does this imply that Essex County Manager Cliff Donaldson never mentioned to Wal-Mart reps about possible downtown building sites? Building sites which are located in Franklin County and the Town of Harrietstown?

Interviews

Al Norman, anti-Wal-Mart activist and founder of Sprawl Busters. Questions by editors and by readers of Grist Magazine.

Q. Have you encountered critics who argue that low-income shoppers can't afford not to shop at big-box stores like Wal-Mart? What has been your response? -- Evelyn Goss, Austin, Texas

A. Yes. Wal-Mart has created and perpetuated a low-income cycle of worker/consumer. Something like 30 percent or more of Wal-Mart shoppers have no bank accounts. Wal-Mart's 1.5 million workers have to shop at the company store because they can't afford to shop elsewhere. It's a great closed-loop system, akin to a plantation where the field workers went to the company store with their day's wages. By making small profits on large volumes, Wal-Mart has created great wealth at the top of the chain. Each member of the Walton family is worth about $18 billion. They could afford to pay their workers a decent wage and provide them with health insurance, instead of amassing unimaginable wealth. That's why I say the model is based on greed, not need.

Q. What strategies have been used in the past to encourage Wal-Mart to rethink its plans and either relocate or sell its property to a developer who will enhance the area? -- Dean Brown, Orange, Calif.

A. You cannot "encourage Wal-Mart to rethink its plans." It pays no attention to what the community says it wants. Wal-Mart is driven by what it thinks its stockholders want and what will add value to its stock. But local citizens can reinvent their zoning codes to stop or restrict big-box sprawl. A cap on the footprint size of buildings can be done with one sentence.

While you are at it, read Umbra Fisk's answer to the question "Why is Wal-Mart Evil"? here.

And, read a little something good about Wal-Mart trying to improve it's environmental image here.

Something Was Missing - Poor Mr. Smiley

Poor Mr. Smiley has been demoted. Maybe he was involved in union talk or complained about poor pay and benefits. Or, maybe he just wasn't 'upscale' enough. Do you think he got severance pay?

Wal-Mart spends nearly as much each year to make us feel good about not paying health care costs for employees, locking immigrant workers inside stores overnight and firing managers who complain about unfair practices.... More here.

Tough to Legislate Wal-Mart Out of Your Community

Because Wal-Mart does not provide sufficient health care coverage for employees, the state of Maryland passed a law that requires Wal-Mart to spend more on employee health care. H. Lee Scott the president and chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. thinks the law is 'ridiculous'. "We are not going to go away that easily," Scott said. "It's going to be tough to legislate Wal-Mart out of your community." More here.

Maybe it would be worthwhile for Wal-Mart to investigate why governments are trying to "legislate" them out of our communities. Is there something Wal-Mart could do to improve it's public image besides whining about how the largest company on earth is always being picked on? Wal-Mart has no problem paying Mr. Scott 17 million in compensation (2004), maybe spending a little on their 'associates' would be in order.

Wal-Mart Playing Catch-Up With Target?

Wal-Mart stock down 4% last year. Target stock is up 7%. How does Wal-Mart plan to catch up? Well, maybe creating a fictional cast of characters will help it boost lackluster sales.

Wal-Mart is claiming they don't want to be like Target in spite of the fact they are now building 'upscale' Wal-Mart stores in some areas.

Vice Chairman John Menzer said. "Our customers are moving from a focus on price, to a focus on value, and we are moving with our customers."

What exactly does that mean Mr. Menzer? Why can't we have quality goods for a slightly higher price? Isn't that value? Wouldn't treating your employees better be a value to you, them and their community?

SAGA E-Newsletter

Sound Adirondack Growth Alliance (SAGA) has published an electronic newsletter for April. The main article is called "It's about size and location - not being pro or anti-Wal-Mart". SAGA's position is that the Town of North Elba size restrictions, 40,000 sq ft for a single store and 68,000 sq ft for a shopping center, should be followed for any new retail development. Any proposed shopping center should also be located downtown and not at the currently proposed village sandpit site. SAGA also points out that it would take a minimum of two years before any new shopping center could be opened because of the required review processes. The entire article (pdf) can be read at the SAGA website or just click here.

Wal-Mart and Ethics Day

The Community College of Baltimore County held an ethics day on April 4th. The theme was 'Ethics and the Economy' and Gary W. Hill, director of the Global Ethics Offices for Wal-Mart was one of the panelists.

Mr. Hill evidently had some difficulty answering some of the questions posed by participants.

Mike Dean, lobbyist and president of Communications Workers of America, asked how ethical it is for Wal-Mart to give Medicaid forms to employees when other businesses have to pay for Medicaid. Hill had no answer, and Dean asked, “Why are you here if you can't answer?”

Hill could also not answer questions posed about unions or how charitable donations by Wal-Mart compared with those of other large companies.

Read more here.

Oprah and Minimum Wage

Oprah is taking on the minimum wage topic. Could you live 30 days on just $5 an hour? For millions of people, this is reality. No credit, no savings…life on minimum wage.

Being aired today I think. Go here to view short video and read more about 'Inside the Lives of People Living on Minimum wage'.

Also, one of Oprah's recommended books 'The Betrayal of Work: How Low-Wage Jobs Fail 30 Million Americans By Beth Shulman' here.

Dispels some of the 'myths' of low wage jobs:

that most low-wage workers are teenagers, immigrants, or high-school dropouts

that being in low-wage employment is a stepping stone to a better position

that making bad jobs into good jobs requires insurmountably difficult reforms

that low-wage work is always low-skilled

Wal-Mart 'Botox'

From the theLedger.com:

Wal-Mart's ambitious plan for upgrading rundown stores calls for remodeling 1,800 of them in 18 months by adding mock-hardwood flooring in the apparel area, widening aisles and upgrading bathrooms. Wal-Mart will improve the layout and fixtures in the electronics, apparel and baby departments.

Wal-Mart is also going to increase the number of it's part-time employee's from 20% to 40%. HSBC Holdings PLC called Wal-Mart's remodeling plans 'botox', arresting decline but not relaunching growth.

Voters for Change Request Village to Stop Rezoning

Voters for Change, a local progressive political action group, formally requested that the SL Village Board stop the process of rezoning the village sandpit area.

Since the SEQR process is already ~80% complete and the consultants paid, SL Mayor Tom Micheal said it "makes more sense to move forward".

Read more here at WNBZ news.

Wall Street and Wal-Mart

It seems Wall St. thinks Wal-Mart could do better in a couple of areas.

What's more, some Wal-Mart watchers say investors are becoming increasingly frustrated that the company's spending an inordinate amount of time trying to diffuse its public relations crises and not giving enough attention to improving weak spots in its business.

A couple of recommendations include:

Bolster labor relations

As the nation's biggest private employer with 1.3 million workers, Wal-Mart has become an easy target for union-backed groups critical of its pay and benefits.

That means that Wal-Mart needs to make a dedicated and even more visible push to better its relationship with workers, and with communities where it does business.

Attract new customers

Last but not least, Wal-Mart's got to think outside of its "big-box" if its wants to win new customers and rejuvenate growth, said Love Goel, CEO of Growth Ventures, an investment firm focused on retailers.

Why can't Wal-Mart management see these issues?

An Associate - Revisited

A visit to Working At Wal-Mart is enlightening. First written anonymously by 'An Associate' (so he wouldn't be fired I imagine), 23 year old Josh Smith talks about his experiences as a Wal-Mart 'Associate'.

On October 12th, 2005 I was hired as an associate at WAL-MART Supercenter #2046 in Augusta, ME. As a temporary (and later part-time) hire, I averaged 32 hours per week at $7.40 per hour, with no benefits. My hours were erratic and I worked throughout the store as a cashier and door guard, in customer service and layaway, and at times even helping the stockmen and sales floor associates. All the while I witnessed the company cheat their employees out of benefits and raises, ignore workplace safety hazards, rig charitable-giving totals, engage in gender discrimination... It didn't take much of this for me to realize how difficult a job this truly is, especially given the intense pressure, the culture of fear, and the utter lack of respect handed down by the company. But I think what makes this job nearly unbearable is that, at the end of the day, despite working for the largest corporation in the world, these workers must return home to a life of poverty.

ADE Commentary - The Broadway-Depot St. Market Place

In yesterday’s Adirondack Daily Enterprise there is a commentary by Frank Casier entitled ‘The Broadway-Depot St. Market Place’. Mr. Casier suggests reviving a plan to redevelop a deteriorated area in Saranac Lake.

Mr. Casier writes:

“The area lies between Broadway and the railroad tracks, behind the fire house, Adirondack Tire, the Adult Center and other properties. It extends from Depot Street almost to Cedar Street, adjacent to the renovated Railroad Depot.”

This is the largest, mostly open, piece of property in the downtown area of Saranac Lake. It used to be a coal yard, a lumber yard, and a train yard. The property is made up of small parcels owned by at least a dozen people. It is currently hidden from the view of most passers-by except those that ride the Adirondack Scenic Railroad. It is an ideal area for re-development. According to Mr. Casier, the village board approved the re-development of the Depot Street area as long ago as August 13, 1979.

Mr. Casier goes on to say:

“It is a matter of setting better priorities and making more intelligent decisions to fulfill the community’s greatest needs. Wal-Mart on Lake Flower is not the only choice.”

Mr. Casier, a land developer in his own right, points out that “there are government agencies such as Urban Renewal that could be brought into the effort.” That is certainly a possibility. But wouldn’t it be better if Wal-Mart actually worked with village officials to develop this downtown area? The positive PR it would give Wal-Mart would probably be worth as much as they pay Edelman and Crosslink Strategy Group for one years worth of propaganda.

Wal-Mart, build a smaller store in the downtown area and you will be welcomed into Saranac Lake by at least 80% of the residents. Who knows, even the other 20% of us might come around sooner or later. However, as someone has previously pointed out in comments on this blog, Wal-Mart does not seem to be interested in doing small and they do not seem to be interested in locating in downtown business areas - Rutland, VT being at least one exception.

There is a piece of news from the WNBZ website that pre-dates this blog. As pointed out by Mr. Casier, this concerns a message delivered to the Harrietstown board by Mr. Parker, Kurtz, Drury and McCormick last February.

"Considering Wal-Mart’s plans to come to Saranac Lake are still in the initial stages, Parker said the mega-retailer might be convinced to locate in the downtown. “If we can show them the possibility of doing a downtown alternative, we could get their ear,” he said.

Parker noted that Wal-Mart has been experimenting in recent years with fitting its stores into smaller sites. He said there are at least three locations in Saranac Lake’s downtown that the company could consider. “This could be a flagship store for them,” he said." You can read it all here.

Wal-Mart PR - Working Families for Wal-Mart

In recent weeks, Wal-Mart has been asking thousands of their shoppers to join 'Working Families for Wal-Mart'. Fill out a form and support your local Wal-Mart but don't ask exactly where the information is going because it's going to a Washington-based consulting firm with close ties to the Republican Party.

"I just filled out the paper," said Tamymy Ramos, 27, who signed up outside of a Wal-Mart on Saturday after a shopping trip with her 3-year-old daughter.

Ramos, a native of Brazil, wasn't sure what she would get in exchange for giving up her name, address and e-mail address. "He told me, but I forgot. Maybe some coupons," she guessed.

Read more here.

She is actually giving her information to Edelman PR, a global public relations firm and to consulting firm Crosslink Strategy Group, founded by Terry Nelson.

McCain Strategist Terry Nelson supervised James Tobin during New Hampshire phone jamming scandal; Tobin convicted of federal telephone arassment charges. McCain strategist Terry Nelson served as middleman in DeLay TRMPAC money laundering scheme, named in indictment and had to testify. More here and here.


Draw your own conclusions about how Wal-Mart sucks its customers into 'grassroots' organizations.

Wal-Mart Realty

I had no idea that Wal-Mart had their own Realty website. I like the little ads on the bottom of the page requesting you shop at Wal-Mart and Sam's. Of course not the stores that are listed for sale on the website.

Go here to see the full color pdf for the sale of the Brockport, NY Wal-Mart store. 98,578 sq ft, 13.76 acres and 360 ft wide by 269 ft deep. Maps, floor plans, population facts and all are provided. Or maybe you would prefer Geneseo, NY. I guess Geneseo got a new 204,137 square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter.

Is Wal-Mart Leaving or Not?

From Chicago Tribune:

When the tiny village of East Dundee landed one of the first Wal-Mart stores in the Chicago area 15 years ago, officials gave the retail giant a tax break as a welcome present.

Now it seems Wal-Mart Co. is planning to pack up its wares and leave the Kane County town. Apparently, however, it forgot to give notice to the village, its customers or even employees.
East Dundee officials were stunned to learn via a commercial real estate listing last week that Wal-Mart would vacate the 120,000-square-foot store at Higgins Road and Dundee Avenue by winter of 2007.

Losing the store would blow a huge hole in the village's budget. The Wal-Mart provided $365,000 of the village's $1.9 million in sales tax revenue for 2004-05, interim Village Manager Paul Nicholson said.

Wal-Mart spokesman John Bisio called the listing premature and said he had no knowledge of plans to shut the East Dundee store but would not rule it out.


More here and here.

A Question for Wal-Mart - Answered

Asked below on March 27th. One answer today: Wal-Mart's Dirty Secret.

In the past few years, Wal-Mart has:

Opposed the introduction of anti-terrorist "smart containers" and electronic seals for cargo containers coming into U.S. ports. The retail industry called them "feel good (security) measures."
Opposed independent and regular inspections of supply-chain security practices around the world.
Opposed tougher rules requiring Wal-Mart to let Customs know what it's shipping in and where it comes from.
Opposed new container-handling fees to pay for improved port security.
The corporate lobbyists at RILA boasted in a 2005 lobbying report to Wal-Mart and other retailers about its "continued industry leadership in opposition to ill-advised and onerous port security measures (i.e., cargo fees, increased physical inspections)." In fact, beating back meaningful port security measures topped RILA's agenda.

RILA responds here.

Wal-Mart "is as American as mom and apple pie"

Media Matters has a good summary of why this may not be true.

My Mom doesn't strike me as the kind of person who would perfect an apple pie recipe and then outsource the production of that apple pie to Chinese children making 5 cents an hour. It just isn't in her character.

From pete592 / Wednesday March 22, 2006 02:03:44 PM EST in discussion section located on the above link. Priceless.

Wal-Mart Visits

Domain Name walmart.com ? (Commercial)
IP Address 161.165.196.# (Wal-Mart Stores)
ISP Wal-Mart Stores
Location Continent : North America
Country : United States (Facts)
State : Arkansas
City : Bentonville
Lat/Long : 36.2995, -93.9568 (Map)
Distance : 1,144 miles

We get an occasional visit from Bentonville. You would get more support for a smaller downtown Wal-Mart in Saranac Lake guys.

WalMart Continues Fight to Win Hearts and Minds

WalMart has instituted an economic development program that will locate new stores in economically blighted areas. In an attempt to put on a better face Wal-Mart has plans to establish 10 "jobs and opportunity zones." The first of these will be located in the Chicago area.

"The zones will encompass the Wal-Mart store and a host of local businesses and suppliers with which Wal-Mart will work to increase job creation and economic opportunity in surrounding neighborhoods," Wal-Mart said in a statement.

Read more here.

Wal-Mart Dethroned By Exxon Mobil - Fortune 500

Exxon Mobil tops the Fortune 500 list for 2005 beating out Wal-Mart. While Exxon had revenues of 340 billion dollars, an increase of 25.5% over 2004 (what a surprise), Wal-Mart only had revenues of 315.6 billion dollars. An increase of 9.5% over 2005. Article here.

SL Village Sandlot to Become Wal-lyworld?

According to an article in todays Adirondack Daily Enterprise the village sandlot on Lake Flower Ave. is to become a Wal-lyworld. ADE reporter Geoff Hayward interviewed Clark Griswald, one of those 'transplants' to the area. Griswald said "The timing of this announcement is really what people should be paying attention to" "To go behind the people's backs like this is unconscionable."

Many Tri-Lakes area residents were unhappy about the Wal-lyworld on the outskirts of the village. However they realized that Wal-lyworld would have just relocated in the next village over if they were not allowed to build on the sandlot site.

Community Benefit Agreements

Next week our new mayor and village trustees begin their term of office. One of the big issues now on the table is the question of rezoning the Lake Flower Avenue Village sandpit site. This would be an appropriate time to learn about community benefit agreements.

Google 'community benefit agreements' and you will get more information than you need.

From good jobs ny website:

What is a CBA?

A Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) is a legally binding contract negotiated between a developer and a coalition representing broad spectrum of community members impacted by the development. In exchange for community members' support for the project, the developer agrees to provide certain benefits. Existing CBAs include provisions such as funds for affordable housing and open space, card check neutrality for workers who choose to organize unions, and living wage goals for workers employed at the development.

In order to be meaningful, a CBA must incorporate concerns from a wide variety of stakeholders that come together as one coalition, and must lead to contributions from the developer and support for the project from coalition members that would not have emerged in the absence of CBA negotiations.

Who participates in a CBA?

Developers - to get a project through its approval process as quickly and smoothly as possible, with the public support of local stakeholders and elected officials.

Residents - to have a say in shaping the development projects in your neighborhood, to minimize the disruption they may cause, and to ensure that they contribute to the local quality of life.

Job seekers - to improve access to jobs for unemployed and under-employed people in the impacted area, and to support the inclusion of job quality standards, for example living wages, health benefits, and paid vacation.

Business owners - to give input on how best to increase local foot traffic and minimize disruptions while making sure that new-comers are not given an unfair competitive advantage over existing businesses through public subsidies that come without any strings attached.

Unions - to expand opportunities for existing members and ensure that unorganized workers can exercise their right to join a union.

City officials - to facilitate the completion of worthy projects, help craft economic development outcomes that balance the needs of city residents, businesses, and tax-payers, and encourage the types of businesses that invest - and remain - in the neighborhoods in which they locate.

Wal-Mart should have no problem with such an agreement because they are concerned about communities. Everyone participates, everyone compromises, everyone wins.

An example of a community benefit agreement can be found here.

Read about the first NY CBA here.

Gateway Center at Bronx Terminal Market Community Benefits Agreement here (pdf).

Ticonderoga Wal-Mart - Illegal Aliens

The Ticonderoga Wal-Mart is apparently getting renovated. The contractor or subcontractor has been using illegal aliens as employees. And, this isn't the first time this has happened.

According to an article in todays Plattsburgh Press Republican:

In 2003, four members of a Lithuanian cleaning group at the Ticonderoga Wal-Mart were taken into custody by the Border Patrol for deportation. The arrests were part of a nationwide roundup of 300 illegal aliens staffing Wal-Mart cleaning crews.

Of course Wal-Mart knows absolutely nothing about the use of illegal alien labor in their stores and immediately suspended the renovation work. Did they use a local contractor and local labor? Unlikely. Wal-Mart uses subcontractors (who hire illegal aliens) so that they can deny responsibility for the labor violations. Wal-Mart likes to give "Always low prices. Always.", so they have to keep their labor costs down as low as possible.

A good article concerning Wal-Mart and illegal alien workers can be found here.

Wal-Mart officials said it made sense to contract out the cleaning work because that enabled store managers to concentrate on what they do best, operating stores that provide low-cost merchandise. Wal-Mart uses about 100 contractors to clean nearly 1,000 of its stores.

Several industry executives said the questionable contractors made it hard for legitimate operators to bid low enough to win contracts at Wal-Mart.

"When you don't pay taxes, don't pay Social Security and don't pay workers' comp, you have a 40 percent cost advantage," said Lilia Garcia, executive director of the Maintenance Cooperation Trust Fund, a group financed by California cleaning contractors to police fly-by-night competitors. "It makes it hard for companies that follow the rules."

Read the lawsuit brought against WalMart by the illegal alien janitors here (pdf).

See, if Wal-Mart had to play by the rules, we wouldn't have "Everyday Low Prices".

Downtown Rutland, VT
With a downsized, downtown Wal-Mart. It has been done and can be done.

Downtown Wal-Mart - St. Albans, VT

Wal-Mart wants to build a 150,000 sq ft store in a corn field outside of St. Albans, VT. But wouldn't a downtown store be a better deal for everyone involved? Here is a simulated picture of how a Wal-Mart would fit into a downtown location and actually enhance the town. Visit the Preservation Trust of Vermont website for more information. Smaller, multi-story Wal-Marts with underground parking are evidently being developed for European cities.

Maybe the Adirondack Daily Enterprise should publish an open letter to H. Lee Scott Jr., CEO of Wal-Mart, requesting a downsized, downtown Wal-Mart for Saranac Lake (just as the residents of Vermont did).

Together Again - Howard Riley in ADE

Howard Riley wrote in Sat. ADE a column about the Democrats sweeping the Village elections. The last paragraph is worth posting for those of you who do not get the ADE.

It is now time for the village board, the Harrietstown Town Board, the chamber of commerce, the Red Carpet Team, the Local Merchants Association and others who want to play a part to get a department store in a DOWNTOWN location where seniors can walk to it. If Wal-Mart can pay more than 2 million bucks for only one of the sites in its present plan, then there are sites that they can afford to develop downtown in a store of reasonable size.
The citizens of Saranac Lake have just spoken loud and clear that they will decide what Saranac Lake wants and needs and gave a big Bronx cheer to those who believe otherwise.

Congratulations to the Adirondack Daily Enterprise on your great new website. Welcome to the 21st Century!

UPDATE: The entire text of Mr. Riley's column is posted here at the ADE website.

Find the Wal-Mart Store Entrance

Make Big Boxes Get Small & Go Downtown. From VermontWalMartWatch.org. Isn't this a smart idea? Limit the store size and make them build downtown and 80% of Saranac Lakers would likely welcome Wal-Mart into their community. A neighborhood Wal-Mart store sells 23,000 items and is less than 50,000 sq. ft.

Also, read this (pdf) to see how Rutland, VT dealt with Wal-Mart, downsize and downtown.

Also, a great speech by Bill McKibben at this same website.

How Good a Neighbor is Wal-Mart?

Go here to find out. Make sure and read some of the emails.

A Question for Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart imports billions of dollars of stuff from China and other countries in the far East. Thousands of containers loaded with Wal-Mart imported goods must arrive in US West coast ports every week. What is Wal-Mart's stance on port security? Do they believe that all their containers full of imported goods should be inspected and secured prior to leaving the foreign ports? Do they support Congressional action that would require such inspections?

Wal-Mart and Bangladesh

Much of the clothing sold by Wal-Mart is made in Bangladesh under extremely poor conditions and pay, often using child labor. Wal-Mart now claims to have instituted a Corporate Code of Conduct that will prevent dealing with suppliers that employ children under the age of 14. However, it is questionable whether the code can be enforced.

From CBC news:
Radio-Canada journalists posed as buyers in the Canadian garment industry so they could videotape inside factories in Bangladesh with hidden cameras. In one factory, typical of many in the country, children were busy with lower-skill tasks. In badly lit, dirty and overheated workshops, young boys were everywhere. A label reading Simply Basic, one of Wal-Mart's in-house brand names along with the number CA 28885, the corporate ID of Wal-Mart Canada, was seen in the factory. The same factory also produces Wal-Mart's corporate T-shirt for Canada. The factory manager told Radio-Canada that the children are working on domestic production. "They do not work on export garments, like Wal-Mart's," said Liakot Patwary. "I can give you [a] guarantee." But after filling many orders, Patwary said he had never met inspectors from the company and Wal-Mart had not visited the factory.

Read more about 'Wal-Mart's Shirts of Misery' here.

Read about Wal-Mart in China here.

Read about Sweatshop Labor at the sistersofmercy.org.

This may seem like picking on Wal-Mart because all large retailers are now exploiting overseas workers to provide us with low cost clothing. But Wal-Mart is the largest retailer in the world and they have to lead the change in this disgusting practice.

Thank You Edelman PR for Visiting This Site

From SourceWatch. In October 2005, Reuters reported that Edelman is to mount an aggressive campaign against Robert Greenwald's new documentary Wal-Mart: The High Cost of a Low Price. In what is reported to be a movie industry first, Edelman's representatives emailed reporters press kits containing a point-by-point rebuttal of the film's trailer, which Wal-Mart is demanding be altered or removed from the walmartmovie.com website. (The trailer is under fire because the documentary itself will not be released until November 1, 2005.) "The press kit includes snippets from negative reviews of Greenwald's earlier works - one dating as far back as 1980 - and three examples of what the retailer calls factual errors in the latest documentary.

Come back anytime.

What Will Essex County Do?

Last October, Lawmakers in Suffolk County, N.Y voted 17-1 to require large, nonunionized grocery retailers in the county to contribute to their employees' health insurance. The bill affects retail stores that have 25,000 square feet or more devoted to groceries, stores that have 100,000 or more square feet with 3% used for groceries.

Philip Serghini (Wal-Mart Community Affairs Manager for the Northeast), said, "We are concerned that the health care bill passed today, which does nothing to provide health care to those people without insurance, is a kind of hidden tax that runs counter to Wal-Mart's commitment to everyday low prices"

Mr. Serghini, believes that Wal-Mart provides affordable health care insurance to its employees. Does Mr. Serghini have the same health care plan as the 'associates' at his stores? Mr. Serghini notes that all Wal-Mart employees are eligible for company provided health insurance but about half of them 'decline' it. Does Mr. Serghini know why half of the employees 'decline' the Wal-Mart health insurance plan?

Some other things Mr. Serghini 'believes':

Wal-Mart provides value for customers

see here and here.

Wal-Mart provides opportunities for our workforce

see here and here and here.

Wal-Mart provides economic support for communities

see here and here.

Wal-Mart provides a helping hand for charities across America

see here.

Will Wal-Mart Impact SL Police Dept?

SL has long had financial concerns over police 'overtime' or whether to even have a police department. Having a Wal-Mart is likely to result in a need for more police officers, especially if the store is allowed to stay opened 24 hrs a day. Epping, NH had that specific problem.

Pineville, NC seems to have the same problem.
Pineville is one of a growing number of towns that have added large retail
stores in recent years only to find that the stores do not generate enough
tax revenue to cover their impact on public services, particularly police
costs.

And in West Sadsbury, Pennsylvania:
We saw a significant increase in crime and incident calls for service from the day Wal-Mart opened,'' as the anchor store in a new development in 2002, he said. Crime jumped 55 percent from the year before Wal-Mart opened to 2003, while calls for service increased 57 percent from 2002 to 2003, he said.

These are towns the size of Saranac Lake or smaller. Will police costs rise in SL if a Wal-Mart locates here? Maybe it would be best to try and determine if that will be the case or not.

Read a summary here.

Democrats Sweep SL Village Elections

In an interesting development 'Wal-Mart at any cost' Republicans were defeated in yesterdays Saranac Lake Village elections by the Democrats. The Democrats ran on a pro-development agenda but cautioned that the impacts of development on the community must first be discerned. Read more here (WNBZ) and here (ADE).

The vote counts were as follows:

Mayor Michael 838 Branch 579

Trustee Waters 797 Knuth 515

Trustee Fontana 811 Piro 677

Overall Democrats got 28% more votes than Republicans even though Democrats were cast as the anti-Wal-Mart party.

In Maine, Damariscotta residents voted in a 35,000 sq ft size cap in yesterdays elections.

How Big is Big?

Wal-Mart - Bullying and Broken Promises

Read about it here.

Will Wal-Mart give "peanut" gifts to our schools to improve their image like they did in Chicago, IL?

Will they form a front company called "Protect Saranac Lake's future" like they did in Flagstaff, AZ?

Will they break promises after getting tax subsidies like they did in Lewiston, Maine?

Will they pull a 'bait and switch' like they did in Cleveland, OH?

Maybe they'll use threats like they did in Stoughton, WI.

Damariscotta, Maine

This is a community made up of several villages including Damariscotta, Nobleboro, Waldoboro, Edgecomb, Newcastle and Pemaquid region. Wal-Mart is also trying to invade their community so they have a website providing the facts about Wal-Mart.

Today is a special day for residents of the Damariscotta region. They are voting on size caps for big box stores. Just a couple days ago Wal-Mart supporters sent out a mailing that over estimated the amount of tax revenue the Town would get from a Wal-Mart (read more here.)

It seems the town did an economic impact study paid for by Wal-Mart (can be found here). Reviews of the deficiencies of the report can be found here and here.

Lot's more information on this website.

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."

Working at SL Wal-Mart? Take Your Breaks Out Back

ADE Fri Letters to the Editor

Learn about Wal-Mart before you vote: "Granted, the SLK area would benefit from a department store, but is Wal-Mart the answer? Certainly neither the pro-Wal-Mart nor the Wal-Mart opposition are ALL right. Become informed about Wal-Mart, read about the lawsuits filed against them, the Wal-Mart impact studies done, their employee profiles, and try to manage the huge impact of Wal-Mart before a store comes to your community".

Letter from ex-mayor of Lyons Falls. Become informed about Wal-Mart before you support it. No one can ask more than that.

Department store is needed, but it should be smaller: "What I find interesting is that there is so much energy being focused on clarifying the differences of the few and so little effort on recognizing how much the majority of people agree on the major issues - YES, a department store is needed, and YES it should be smaller."

Wal-Mart keeps election choices on the front line: "Our village is facing many challenges and important decisions at this juncture in its history. We need leadership that is honest, fair, open minded and innovative to see us through it."

We can only hope that whomever wins the Village elections next week that they will be honest, fair, open minded and innovative.

Choose what's best for SL this election day: "There's Smart Growth and Dumb Growth, and the coming village election appears to be a referendum on which way we choose to go. Dumb Growth is a vastly out-of-scale Wal-Mart at the approach to our village that will congest traffic, divert people from downtown, put some merchants out of business and hurt many others, and forfeit most of the tax benefits to North Elba and Essex County."

New Links Added

Potsdam is having Wal-Mart problems too.

North Country Citizens for Responsible Growth

Environmental Impacts of Proposed Potsdam Wal-Mart (pdf)

A whole list of National and community organizations fighting big box store development can be found here. Oh yeah, also a list of the pro-WalMart websites (all funded by Wal-Mart). Don't blink or you will miss them.

Potsdam Wal-Mart

188,560 sq ft store (more than 6 football fields), 20,000 sq. ft. outdoor retail center, separate 900 sq ft convenience store/gas station, and a 5 acre parcel for future development. The Potsdam Wal-Mart project includes a general merchandise retail store, a grocery store, a vehicle maintenance facility (Tire and Lube Express), a garden center, a drive-through pharmacy, an optical center, a hairdresser, a 12 pump gas station with a 100 ft long canopy, a 941 space parking lot and a 145 ft tall water tower. Much, much more here at Citizens for Responsible Growth.

Linda Piro vs Susan Waters: Truthiness vs Facts

You couldn't possibly find a nicer person in Saranac Lake than Linda Piro. But sometimes she is wrong. Linda has divided the community over the Wal-Mart issue. While almost everyone wants a large department store, some residents have questions about the size and location of a store. Some have questions about the effects of Wal-Mart on our community. Linda doesn't seem to be too concerned about these issues. In an article in Thur ADE, Linda said "In my heart, I really think that it's only going to help bring people in." See post below on 'Truthiness'. She went on to say "I don't believe in hasty decisions". However, deciding that Wal-Mart is the only choice for Saranac Lake might fall into the 'hasty' decision category. Oddly enough, Linda runs a small business of the type that Wal-Mart has put out business.

Susan Waters must be a saint. She is involved with 'Habitat for Humanity', probably one of the best ideas ever on how to bootstrap first home ownership. She understands that bringing a Wal-Mart Supercenter to town may have huge impacts on the community. She wants to know what those possible impacts might be before fully supporting Wal-Mart. Susan wants facts before making a decision. I'm guessing she is not into making hasty decisions either but may have a different definition of 'hasty'. Susan has experience running a multi-million dollar business and corporate management experience. Believe it or not, this fact was actually being used against her on TOT this morning. I, for one, would like someone with corporate management experience being involved in Wal-Mart negotiations. We are going to need it.

Malone Wal-Mart

184,000 sq ft (about 6 football fields) on 26 acres. 885 parking places (another 6 football fields?). Full grocery store, garden center, pharmacy, tire and lube and 16 pump gasoline station. This will be sure to revitalize the Malone downtown. All this and less than 50 miles from SL and another Wal-Mart Supercenter.

ADE Thur Letters to the Editor

Currently, most letters to the editor of the ADE are concerned with SL Village Board and Mayor elections. The Republican candidates Branch, Piro, and Knuth have made it clear that they want Wal-Mart, even before economic impact studies have been done. The Democrat candidates are pro-development, realize the need for a large department store, are concerned about the downtown area and have lots of questions about the impact of a 121,000 sq ft Wal-Mart located on the outskirts of the town [These are my assessment of the candidates by the way]. So on with todays letters:

SL shouldn't want a Wal-Mart: Don't think I don't know what I'm talking about. We had a small shop in a Wal-Mart town and welcomed the "draw" of more people that it would attract. Our town looks like a ghost town - not even a grocery store or a gift shop left.

The letter writer is from Ticonderoga; they opened a Super Wal-Mart a few years ago.

Democrats are qualified, and they listen: Two reasons. One, they have the qualifications, both professionally and morally, to lead the village into the future. Two, because they are already out there listening to ALL of our hopes and concerns.

One does wonder why the Republican candidates have not been running campaign ads or having public forums. Is it because they have made this a one issue campaign and they have already won it?

Saranac Lake Democratic team has what it takes: A hasty decision based purely on providing increased shopping facilities can be potentially damaging in the long run.

Democrats will add to Saranac Lake's livelihood: The upcoming election for Village Mayor and Trustees is crucial for the future of this community. It should not be allowed to be portrayed merely as a referendum on Wal-Mart. The real underlying issues are good governance, sensible growth, affordable housing and property taxes that will allow the community to continue to develop as a vibrant, diverse community.

Unfortunately, the Republican candidates have already made it into a referendum on Wal-Mart.

Vote Wal-Mart! Vote Republican: On Tuesday, March 21, I'm going to cast my vote for Walmart, which means I am voting for Jeff Branch for mayor and Linda Piro and Tony Knuth for trustees.

Yes, one issue and one issue only for the Republicans. Get a Wal-Mart and all our problems will just disappear.

Democrats know how to bring ideas to life: Will our Village Board continue 'business as usual.' or will it step boldly into a future of openness and cooperation that have not been evident recently?

I guessing 'business as usual' for sure.

SL Democratic team continues to be proactive: The new village board must be prepared to deal proactively with numerous issues of concern to the citizens of Saranac Lake and the surrounding towns.

Village Should Insure Rec Path Access

Here is an interesting concern. Several years ago the Town of North Elba was awarded $800,000 to construct a 'bike path' between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. The proposed nine mile path would follow the railroad right of way. It appears that without an easement from the village of SL, access to the path from Lake Flower Ave could be blocked. This of course is the proposed WalMart building site.

Many people pooh pooh the idea of the recreation path. But they probably haven't visited communities that are connected by such a path. Here is a map of one bike path that I am quite familiar with. It connects Woods Hole, MA with Falmouth, MA. It also follows an old railroad bed. This path is extensively used by bikers, joggers, walkers, etc and benefits both communities financially.

BTW? WalMart reps have said they would make the back of their proposed store, which faces the railroad tracks and proposed bike path, 'as attractive as possible'. Anyone have an idea how to make a 300 ft long 20 ft high concrete wall 'attractive'?

Thomas Michael, Christina Fontana, Susan Waters

Not being a resident of the village of Saranac Lake, I can't vote in the upcoming elections. But if I could, I'd vote for Micheal, Fontana and Waters. Why? Because of the below pledge for one and because they are smart, professional people that will consider all sides of an issue before making a decision. Also, they are not 'one issue' candidates. Moreover, it's high time that the SL Village Board improve its relations with the police department. We need some fresh faces and new blood to revitalize our village. BTW, where is the pledge from the Republican candidates? Are they taking you for granted already?

Our Pledge to Saranac Lake
In the current village election campaign, you’ve heard conflicting claims about our position on community issues. We want to clear things up by pledging to you:

Honest, Open Government:
We pledge to consider input from all groups and use executive session at Village Board meetings only when absolutely necessary.

Commercial Development:
We pledge to use our business and development expertise to encourage and welcome commercial growth including:
A department store, whether it be Wal-Mart or any nationally known, financially stable, retailer, and to work with them so their development fits our community’s needs
Downtown development to ensure the vitality of our community center
Attracting businesses that enhance our community and provide more shopping choices
We will work with all developers fairly and negotiate firmly so they pay their fair share of improvements required because of their development.

Controlling Taxes:
We pledge to reduce the cost of running our local government by:
Sharing services with neighboring communities
Expanding the commercial tax base to reduce residential taxes
Working to reduce spiraling retirement and insurance costs for village employees
Helping department heads reduce overtime expenditures
Creating more tax-paying homeowners by developing housing that average residents can buy

Employee Relations:
We pledge professional leadership for village employees by
Performing annual evaluations and outlining clear disciplinary measures
Listening to employees’ expertise and keeping them informed
Creating a Code of Conduct so all village employees are responsive to and respectful of our community residents

We ask for your vote on March 21st so our community will grow and thrive.

Everyday Low Vices: How much should we hate Wal-Mart?

A good article here in Washington Monthly. This is a great article describing pre- and post-Sam Walton Wal-Mart.

Here is a good point. The entire sector of discount retailers—from Target to Costco to Best Buy to Home Depot—does much the same thing. Meanwhile, Wal-Mart's critics tend to focus on the company's low wages and paltry benefits, or its effect on small towns, or its reliance on outsourcing. But these, too, are by and large sins of the entire discount retail sector. So why pick on Wal-Mart?

The answer is that Wal-Mart really is different. In terms of annual revenue, Wal-Mart is nearly four times the size of The Home Depot, the country's second largest retailer, and almost twice the size of Target, Costco, and Sears (which includes Kmart) combined. That means the company exerts pressure on the entire sector to imitate its methods—including its treatment of workers. That would be less worrisome if Wal-Mart's record didn't stand out within the sector. But there are strong indications that, when it comes to how it treats its employees, Wal-Mart really is worse than the rest.

Read it all.

NOTE: Comments on this article can be read here.

Pro-WalMart and Truthiness

Many WalMart supporters believe that: Wal-Mart will increase the tax base, be good for downtown business, benefit Franklin and Essex counties, provide good jobs, donate huge amounts of money to the community, will remain in SL for the long term no matter what, not cost the taxpayers any development costs, etc. How can they be so sure of these beliefs? Well, it has to do with 'Truthiness'.

This is a word 're-invented' by Stephen Colbert. It means "to know something emotionally or instinctively, without regard to evidence or to what the person might conclude from intellectual examination."

Stephen Colbert hit the nail on the head when he said "It used to be, everyone was entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts. But that's not the case anymore. Facts matter not at all. Perception is everything."

It's understandable that some people resort to 'truthiness'. Most people realize that SL needs a large department store to replace Ames. Still, it would be good to get away from 'truthiness' and start at least thinking about facts.

Post of a Comment

I thought this comment deserved to be posted where everyone can see it.

Target not being interested in Saranac Lake is not entirely true. According to Tom Michaels, who is currently running for mayor, they are NOT INTERESTED AT THIS TIME. They are working their way up North. They want to build in Plattsburgh, and get past Albany. In about 3-5 years they would be looking at our area.
Tom also says that Wal-Mart is NOT OUR ONLY ANSWER. He came to a local merchants meeting yesterday. He did tell us that the sand lot will probably get zoned commercial. But Wal-Mart is not the only company interested in coming to our town. He feels that we shouldn't accept the first company that gets here. We should as a village make the decision as to what is best for everyone concerned. He also has some FABULOUS IDEAS for working on the downtown. He wants to see additional commercial built. The upper Broadway area would be ideal for this. Property that could be considered for this is part of Church street where the Tops/Grand Union is, Depot Street, and further up Broadway. Some of the property owners would be gone for the right price. Then their building comes down and in the new construction, the ground floor becomes commercial and the upper floors become residential. Great idea. Tom says that we have developers who come here in the summer because they have camps up here. They could be contacted and the village could work with them.
Most of the property on upper Broadway past the stop light at Bloomingdale Avenue next to the Rusty Nail bar could be considered. The area is already zoned commercial so no problem there.
Our main problem with the downtown is that many storefronts are too small. You can't have a good selection of product when your store front is barely 1,000 square feet. And all the larger store fronts are taken up. What becomes available on a regular basis are store fronts too small to do much of anything with. We need to build larger commercial square footages. And another problem we have had in the past is many buildings burned that were downtown, and they didn't get replaced. When we lost the old Berkley Hotel in the 1980's we lost a considerble amount of retail space. We've also lost other buildings and they haven't gotten replaced either. We need to build "new" commercial space.
And we need to get Tom Michaels, Christy Fontana, and Susan Waters elected so it can be done. The Republicans can only see Wal-Mart in their picture. They DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER AGENDA. They are one-issue candidates!!

ADE Tue Letters to the Editor

Many letters supporting candidates for Village office. Basically, Republicans want Wal-Mart and don't really need any more info from Wal-Mart. Democrats realize that the area needs a department store but want answers to questions before making a firm decision. And, they don't want Wal-Mart walking all over us.

Branch, Piro have the best vision. ...Jeff and Linda understand that the dream of an Adirondack lifestyle is quickly slipping away from many area residents due to skyrocketing taxes.

Are we assuming that having a Wal-Mart is going to solve the rising tax problems? Published studies say otherwise. How is a Wal-Mart going to preserve the dream of an Adirondack lifestyle?

Vote Piro, Branch, Knuth. "To anybody with a good head on their shoulders and who's a good, patriotic American, they're only three people worth voting for on March 21...

The good ole Republican argument of if you don't do what we say, you are not a patriotic American.

Michael, Fontana, Waters seem best. We must vote for people who will work together to find and implement long term economically viable solutions. This requires more than knee jerk responses.....

In defense of Donaldson, in support of Piro. ...I can guarantee, if she is elected to the village board, her actions will be done by the book....

Hopefully, whoever is elected, their actions will be done by the book. We shouldn't need any guarantees.

Supercenter a bad fit for 'Distinctive Destination'. How does the addition of a Supercenter, which is three times the size of the former Ames store in Saranac Lake, fit into the beautiful picture of what our village is and can be in the future?

Well, maybe we don't need no stinkin 'Distinctive Destinations'.

Get to know the Republican candidates. Jeff Branch, President of CSEA Local 170. A person that Wal-Mart would never hire, being a union guy and all. Linda Piro, school board member (along with Cliff Donaldson). Tony Knuth, not much info. They recognize a great need for affordable housing... Just not at the village sandpit site. Outside of town is better. These candidates are very excited about continuing the process of bringing a large retail store to Saranac Lake (Wal-Mart).

Waters is a seasoned professional. Adirondack Business and Professional Women's Club 2006 Woman of the Year.

SL Village Trustee McEneany Schools Wal-Mart Reps

Article in todays Press Republican. SL Village Board trustee John McEneany said "The Wal-Mart people should not doubt the resolve of this community to protect its historic nature, its sense of community and its sense of charm." Mr McEneany was addressing his remarks to several Wal-Mart representatives that were in the audience.

This is exactly the message SL should be sending Wal-Mart. If they want to locate in SL they are going to have to play by our rules and not by theirs.

New Papers Added Under Links

Wal-Mart and Job Quality – What Do We Know, and Should We Care? by Arindrajit Dube, PhD, UC Berkeley Institute of Industrial Relation and Steve Wertheim, UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education.

Wal-Mart: A manager's toolbox to remaining union free (Confidential) Wal-Mart is not anti-union, they are pro-associate.

Wal-Mart News

At WNBZ. Nothing we don't already know. Republican candidates for Village office support the Wal-Mart 'proposal', even before they know what it might entail. Democrat candidates want more information before they make a decision. Wal-Mart spokesman Phillip Serghini says they will stay out of Village politics and work with whomever is elected.

In other news at WNBZ, Village candidates for mayor will discuss issues on WNBZ on Thursday from 7-8 PM. They will take questions from callers and respond to email questions. Audio will be carried on Adelphia
channel 2.

Wal-Mart vs Target - Price Comparison

Shop for 20 very different items and add up the totals:

Wal-Mart $115.51

Target $120.40

Most of the total cost difference was due to the price of a single item.

Read whole story here.

Wal-Mart can cover the cost of a dollar an hour wage increase by raising prices a half penny per dollar. For instance, a $2.00 pair of socks would then cost $2.01. This minimal increase would annually add up to $1,800 for each employee. [Analysis of Wal-Mart Annual Report 2005] Wake Up Wal-Mart.

Cliff Donaldson Erred in Secret Dealings

Todays Plattsburgh Press Republican Editorial.

"When it comes to dealing with Wal-Mart, candor is essential. No community should be blind-sided by the sudden appearance of plans to open an outlet. Every step of the way in the process should be taken carefully and with full disclosure."

For you to think about

Posted with cartoonist, Mark Wilson's, permission. Please visit here for more cartoons.

ADE Sat Letters to the Editor

Three letters today.

Need of the many. "The residents of these communities need a sure thing, something to keep us shopping in the area." More, "I find it selfish that a small number of naysayers would attempt to dictate who sets up shop in this community. Based on our per-capita incomes alone, the needs of the many far outweigh the wants of the few."

This person cites a per-capita income of under $18,000 for the the Tri-Lakes area. In Franklin County it's actually $15,888 for 1999 (currently $18,250 based on 2% increase per year). However, median household income is $31,517 for 1999 (currently $36,203 based on 2% increase per year). This is a depressed area. But explain how bringing in a company that has been shown to result in increased poverty is going to help the needy. You could argue that Wal-Mart depends on needy individuals to survive. Who is being selfish here? Small number of naysayers? It seems that almost everyone in the area agrees we need a large retailer. The so called 'naysayers' are mostly arguing about size and political process.

Wal-Mart can help SL revive. "The village of Saranac Lake is the gem of the Adirondacks and home to several thousand people who, in my opinion, would benefit with a Wal-Mart, and Saranac Lake again will return to its glory."

Saranac Lake, in it's glory, was the result of thousands of people suffering from tuberculosis. Saranac Lake was a gem to these people because it gave many of them back their health. Saranac Lake continues to be a gem because of it's unspoiled beauty and timelessness. Wal-Mart will almost certainly not add to the character of Saranac Lake.

Too big for village. "The real concern of mine is that in our sparsly populated rural area, there aren't enough consumers to support the megastore that Wal-Mart wants to open."

A Wal-Mart in Saranac Lake. One in Plattsburgh 45 mi away, one in Malone 45 mi away, one in Potsdam 60 mi away and one in Ticonderoga 60 mi away. Population (2004) of Essex County 38,909; Franklin County 51,009. It would be interesting to see Wal-Marts marketing plan for the North Country.

Brighton Town Board Declines to Support Wal-Mart

ADE article today by Geoff Hayward reports that Rick Gonyea, a representative of Citizens for the Advancement of Retail Development (no link found), requested that the Brighton Town Board support a 121,000 sq ft Wal-Mart in Saranac Lake. Mr. Gonyea said "It's going to benefit everybody".

Peter Martin, Town of Brighton supervisor replied, "I think that, based on recent stuff that's been happening in the village, we might consider not taking a stance on it, because it's a real hot issue."

Town Justice, Nik Santagate, noted that if the board was supporting businesses, he too would like a letter of support for his business. "You're going to make people unhappy."

No action was taken on the request.

Costco: The Anti-Wal-Mart

Average Hourly wage:
CostCo $15.97
Wal-Mart's Sams Club $11.52
Contrib. to Health Care:
CostCo $5735
Wal-Mart's Sams Club $3500
Covered by Health Plan:
CostCo 82%
Wal-Mart's Sams Club 47%
Covered by Retire. Plan:
CostCo 91%
Wal-Mart's Sams Club 64%
Employee turnover:
Costco 6%
Wal-Mart's Sams Club 21%
Profits per employee:
Costco $13,647
Wal-Mart's Sams Club $11,039


More here.

ADE Thur Letters to the Editor

Three letters last night.

Issues with the Wal-Mart Proposal. Three issues: 1) Essex County Brd of Supervisors were and are clueless as to what Cliff Donaldson does, 2) Proposed Wal-Mart store is too big and would be built in a poor location, what a beautiful village and community does not need is this monster of a store..., 3) Hopes that Wal-Mart's treatment of their employees are not as accurate as as has been said.

Don't let Wal-Mart issue break up community. In SL it's us against them and them against us. Look to elected officials. Let them know what we think. I will work to be open-eyed, open-eared, open-minded and open-hearted.

Enterprise wrong, owes Donaldson an apology. ...Donaldson has done what you and your search committee, SAGA, the chamber of commerce, the planning board, the village board, the merchants association and many other private citizens have failed to do. He should be commended rather than villified... Opponents are short-sighted...Wal-Mart will attract business back to SL.

People continue to believe that Wal-Mart will attract business back to SL. Okay, show me the proof. Show me the research, the market studies, where it has happened in other small rural towns. Would you please read Dr. Ken Stone's paper Impact of the Wal-Mart Phenomenon on Rural Communities. This paper specifically addresses the effects of a Wal-Mart on communities just like SL and other surrounding us.

One More WalMart Lawsuit Against Free Speech

I'm not sure how I feel about this guys website and his taste in anti-WalMart T-shirts. On the other hand, there is always that nasty first amendment to consider. Needless to say, WalMart has the money and lawyers to go after this guy. He is fighting back here with the help of Public Citizen. I wonder what else WalMart could do with that money they are spending on this case?

Do Community Banks Have to Worry Now?

WalMart has applied to open a bank in Utah. This would be an industrial bank that would handle electronic payments. This type of bank 'escapes' a level of Federal Regulation. A group of congressmen are concerned. ..."the world's largest retailer, could threaten the stability of the U.S. financial system and drive community banks out of business." Read more here.

So WalMart wants into the Medical Clinic business and now the banking business. Why not just do away with all businesses and let WalMart handle everything. One stop shopping while you get your car serviced and gased up. You could get your eyes checked, stop in for medical checkup, and deposit your paycheck. While you are at the WalMart Bank you could take out a loan to buy WalMart stuff. Hell, H. Lee Scott could be President of United States of WalMart. The Waltons could be his 'congress'.

If You Only Read One Document

If you are pro-WalMart or aren't sure about your feelings about WalMart, happen to visit this blog and don't really want to visit all those links or read through all those pdf documents I recommend reading The Waltons and WalMart: Self-Interested Philanthropy here.

Confessions of a Hypocrit

In an attempt to stop the 'trolling' and even though I am a lapsed Catholic I must confess my sins.

Yes I have been in a Sam's club although I haven't bought much there in several years but no I do not have a Sam's Club card. I sure wish there was a Costco in P'burgh instead. Speaking of P'burgh, I probably go there 3 times a year to get my car serviced at the foreign car dealer. In the last 21 years I think I may have made two or three purchases in WalMart, probably back when Sam Walton ran the company and while he was encouraging us to buy USA. I'm really not much of a shopper and I believe that 'a want is not a need.'

As to who I am, if you feel you absolutely need to know, drop me an email. If you already know who I am (and many do), and feel the urge to 'out' me in the comments section, go ahead. For some people using personal attacks are much easier than trying to defend an argument.

Comments on WalMart from Mongolia

An excellent commentary on Saranac Lake and WalMart from a Saranac Laker living in Mongolia. Click here.

SL Village Candidates Forum-Tue Mar 7

News articles about the candidate forum can be found here (WNBZ) and here (Press Republican), or you can listen to a report here (NCPR).

Basically the Wal-Mart stands can be summed up as follows:

Democrats:

Susan Waters, Trustee candidate. "But what we need is people who can really evaluate it and ask the right questions" (PR)
Christina Fontana, Trustee candidate. "We don't want to go into negotiations with Wal-Mart unprepared" (PR)
Tom Michael, Mayor candidate. Optimistic about trying to redevelop downtown

Republicans:

Linda Piro, Trustee candidate. On WalMart "But do I support it? You betcha. I want a store there" (WNBZ)
Anthony Knuth, Trustee candidate. "It's not just a village decision. We need to take into account what the area needs, what all of us need." (WNBZ)
Jeff Branch, Mayor candidate. "Something is coming, and when that something does come, we need to direct traffic to the downtown area" (WNBZ)

Next candidate forum is Thur. 5-6:30 PM at Harrietstown Town Hall

The Pro-WalMart Faction

A majority of Saranac Lakers want a department store in the area. However, some in the 'pro-WalMart faction' (probably less than a majority) want a WalMart and only WalMart. The box has to be at least 121,000 sq ft and the box has to be built on the village sandpit site, no where else. So there is nothing else to discuss.

Others, both 'pro-WalMart' and 'anti-WalMart' disagree. They feel that there should be some questions raised about the effects of WalMart (or any other 'mega-retailer) on our Village and the Tri-Lakes area.

Many 'anti-WalMarters' want to discuss how much WalMart expects the village to spend in infrastructure needs, they want to discuss the effects of loss of taxes when other area grocery stores go out of business, they want to discuss the possible detrimental effects on downtown businesses and/or loss of tax base, they are concerned about the effects of a WalMart on Tupper Lake businesses, they think we need to concern ourselves about environmental effects of a large box store, they are concerned about other possible county wide effects of having WalMarts in Potsdam, Malone, Saranac Lake and Plattsburgh. And, some of us are concerned about the unethical business practices of a $300 billion dollar company. The largest company in the world with revenues greater than 22 countries.

Furthermore, some WalMart supporters, like ynw (see comments under SL Village Sandpit SEQR in the post below), feel the need to resort to using tactics such as changing the subject, personal attacks on people who sincerely believe WalMart is unethical, or even attacking Habitat for Humanity and its supporters or attacking the people who can only afford to live in low income housing and how wrong it is that taxpayers are 'supporting' them. Maybe if WalMart paid a living wage or at least provided adequate health benefits (WalMart can afford it) 'ynw' wouldn't have to 'support' low income people. Maybe 'ynw' should start a 'Pro-WalMart' blog. WalMart is paying pro-WalMart bloggers now and even providing them with 'information' to post. It's a good deal since it doesn't even require thinking.

This blog is obviously biased against WalMart (mostly for ethical reasons). But links to articles and papers that provide fact-based arguments and evidence about why WalMart may not be good for SL are provided. Let's see some 'fact-based arguments on why WalMart and only WalMart is right for SL.

SL Village Sandpit SEQR

Article here at WNBZ. The environmental review (SEQR) on the village sandpit site has been completed by Architectural and Engineering Design Associates of Plattsburgh. The site is currently zoned for residential use. They compared 3 possible uses for the property.

1) Single family homes. 23 singly family homes could be built at a development cost to the village of $37,000. Traffic would increase by about 200 cars a day.

2) Townhouses. Up to 53 townhouses could be built at a development cost of $13,500 per unit. There would be about a 5% increase in area traffic (475 cars).

3) Commercial development. The sandpit area is sufficient for 80,000 sq ft and 400 parking places. Water and sewage could be accomodated by the village. Peak traffic would increase 86% daily and 136% on Saturdays. Such an increase in traffic would require detailed traffic studies.

At first glance, it sure seems like #1 and #2 would generate as much tax revenue as a possible Wal-Mart. Seems like housing development would be perfect for that site. Let a retailer buy property downtown and get tax revenues from both.

A copy of the study is available for only $57. Jeebus, haven't these people heard of computers and pdf files?

Wal-Mart and Paid Bloggers

According to an article in the New York Times Wal-Mart's public relations firm Edelman has been sending Wal-Mart friendly bloggers emails containing suggestions to help Wal-Mart improve it's battered image. It appears that the Wal-Mart PR firm, Edelman, has hired blogger Marshall Manson to email 'tips' to friendly bloggers.

Mr. Manson, identifying himself as a "blogger myself" who does "online public affairs for Wal-Mart," began with a bit of flattery: "Just wanted you to know that your post criticizing Maryland's Wal-Mart health care bill was noticed here and at the corporate headquarters in Bentonville," he wrote, referring to the city in Arkansas.

"If you're interested," he continued, "I'd like to drop you the occasional update with some newsworthy info about the company and an occasional nugget that you won't hear about in the M.S.M." — or mainstream media.

How much could Wal-Mart be paying the Edelman PR firm to help improve its battered image? Why is Wal-Mart's image battered? Shouldn't Wal-Mart just do things that would naturally result in an improved image?

Essex Ct Brd Not Pleased With Donaldson

From the Plattsburgh Press Republican today:

Supervisor Joyce Morency (R-St. Armand) was not pleased with Essex County manager Cliff Donaldson last night. Ms. Morency disagreed with Donaldsons statement to the Saranac Lake Village trustees that he was directed by the Essex County Brd of Supervisors to find a store to replace the now defunct Ames department store. The 2002 resolution directed the county manager and the County Industrial Development Agency to try to find a new retail store for the Ames Plaza.

The secrecy of his efforts to bring in a major retailer was also discussed because Donaldson never made any reports to the board of supervisors. Ms. Morency said "Nothing has ever been said in the minutes for the last three years about Wal-Mart."

Essex County, Board of Supervisors Chairman Noel Merrihew III (R-Elizabethtown) said it was incorrect of Donaldson to say he was working at the bequest of the board of supervisors. Supervisor Thomas Scozzafava (R-Moriah)[NOT ASSOCIATED WITH WISEBUYS] asked Donaldson "What prompted you to start negotiations with Wal-Mart?" "Any official acting in secrecy, doing things their board is not aware of, that is not good."

It appears that there may be plenty of blame to go around. The Essex County Brd. of Supervisors should maybe be a bit more clear in making resolutions. The County Manager should be sure that he understand precisely what the board of supervisors intended. And, there could be a good deal more communication between the supervisors and the county manager.

More on this topic here at WNBZ.

ADE Letters to the Editor - Mar 6

Some excerpts:

Should it be 121,000 sq ft? At the Feb. 13 meeting of the SL Village Board, a resident presented hundreds of additional signatures supporting a large retail store for SL, but when questioned, she said that the petitioners were supporting any large store, such as the vacant Ames. ...this is a wonderful opportunity for consensus. No one opposes a 40,000 sq ft store.
This is an excellent point. There is plenty of room at the proposed building site for residential housing and a medium sized box store.

Set aside selfish opposition to a Wal-Mart. I honestly believe that these people would be opposed to any large retail business, not just Wal-Mart. I also think they are selfish. Most of the residents of SL who are opposed to Wal-Mart have moved here to get away from the hustle and bustle of bigger towns and cities. ....what's stopping them from moving again? Where's the evidence that 'these people' would be opposed to any large retail business? Where's the evidence that most people opposed to Wal-Mart moved here from the city? Why do you want good citizens moving out of our town?

Don't be so hasty with a department store. ...most people who live or visit the Tri-Lakes would agree that a department store is needed. The size and the name of the store seems to be the issue. I would encourage the village officials and the community not to 'settle' on one store but to see what all the options are before deciding. Exactly right.

Plan first, implement second. ....I think the process we are pursuing to get one is flawed. The current Republican candidates seem to be the ready-fire-aim bunch, which is why I am supporting Tom Michael and his fellow Democrats. A major retailer in the center of town would be a real addition to the town, an anchor for all sorts of good things. Building in the Depot St area or the current Grand Union/Newman and Holmes site would be ideal. A 40,000 sq ft store should fit in either location. The store would also then be located in Franklin County.

Feeling betrayed by Donaldson. Shame on Cliff Donaldson... ...I, for one, feel betrayed by his secretive actions. I'm curious whether he has gained financially from his three-plus years of covert planning with Wal-Mart. Not an unreasonable question. How about it Mr. Donaldson?

Donaldson simply delivered on what was asked of him. To say his actions are, "outragious...downright corrupt...verging on autocratic" is to say it's OK to ignore the people and forget our request. He did his job not in secret but as a negotiator for our future. The Essex County Board of Supervisors didn't know about the Dondalson/Wal-Mart 'negotiations', nor did the SL Mayor, Village of Saranac Lake Board of Trustees or SL Village manager. What is that if not secret?

Arrogant, questionable behavior. We know now that the entire Wal-Mart negotiation has been carried on in secret behind closed doors. Were these behind-the-scenes operations carried on without the present village board's knowledge? We may never know for sure. ...right along there has been a palpable hostility coming from some on the village board toward public input. ...when a store wants to build here, it is imperative that we negotiate with them to get the best economic deal possible for area residents. This cannot be done by a board that already commits itself up-front to bringing in a particular store well before economic studies and negotiations have even taken place. I'm biased, but the Democrat slate of candidates will almost definitely cut a better deal for the residents of SL than the Republican candidates. It really is time for some fresh blood on the Village Board.

Guest Post

NOTE: Ms. Jackson has given permission to repost her comments from March 2.

Our community is being torn apart before Walmart has even invaded.

Reading comments on this blog and on the ADE poll has disgusted and saddened me. I love our community and I had always thought that one day I would return to raise a family. SL is part of who I am and I wanted the same for my children. I never thought I would be able to find another small town as wonderful as our own. But this Walmart battle has revealed a new side of Saranac Lake that I have never experienced before.

This is what I'm hearing:

From anti-Walmart factions:
"Walmart is unethical. SL needs a company that will treat workers well and enhance our local economy and not destroy our local businesses."

From pro-Walmart factions:
"We want cheap underwear and potato chips. Get out of town if you don't agree."
...and then some name-calling and slandering that I refuse to repeat...

This is not a logical debate. I have yet to hear WHY Walmart is the only answer. What is Walmart going to provide that another retailer can not? The pro-Walmart crowd seems to be less pro-Walmart and more just against the anti-Walmart group. Where is the sound argument for Walmart? Who in the village would prefer to work at Walmart than another retailer?

I'm sickened by the harsh comments and illogical debate, not to mention the shady politicians involved. This is not a community that I am proud of, that I want to raise a family in. I want a community that cares for one another, that is willing to work hard to find the best solution instead of taking the easiest way out, a community that debates with facts instead of throwing personal attacks, a community that plans for its future, a community with honest politicians that will do what's right for the community and not what will win them the next election.

I plead with you all now to prove me wrong:
Show me that this community is based on honesty and respect.
Show me why Walmart is better than other retailers, give me facts.
Show me how Walmart will improve the community.
Show me how Walmart will benefit the local economy.
Show me your priorities and your morals.
Show me that the community I love still exists.

I call on village leaders to do your research, put in the hard work that we have hired or elected you to do. Show the community all of our options for retail development and propose a solution that will improve the economy, employment, retail needs, and environment of our area. Give us hard facts. And be transparent.

We are better than this. We deserve better than this.

I promise to do better. Will you?

Karina Jackson