HA! Sorry Steven, I have to comment on this.. :-) MAN.. why'd you guys
have to get me started on this!!!?? HA! :-) Before anyone reads this, I
write this with no zeal twoards anyone, because I think all you guys are
great people. What is shown above, only re-afffirms my belief in the
independent businesses and to support them whenever i can and whenever
possible.
I also am biased, because I am an independent business owner and advocate,
but for what I feel are sound reasons. I am not saying that their is not
a place for Wal-Mart or other type places in our community, but at least
for Ohio, we certainly have not been shown the market study needs, to
justify 150 Wal-Marts in a state of 88 counties.
What you are about to read, is just my personal reason's I choose not to
support Wal-Mart. I am not telling anyone what to do or carving my views
in stone. I've let the cat out of the bag before, and it's to no suprise I
have no adoration towards Wal-Mart and friends! :-) Personally, I'd
rather have a town with retail diversity, where I know I can get quality
goods and service. In the economy, diversity as such, breeds stability in
the economy. This makes for a bettter bond in the community, in my
opinion.
For example, in a town with a very diverse business sector, if one
business shut down, it isn't making much of an impact on the community. But
in many areas where their was a stable and strong local and independently
owned retail section of the community, places like Wal-Mart have moved in
and driven everyone else out, so they are left with an ugly ghost town of a
community. I have a file full of news on this if anyone is interested.
Sure, we all want to save some money, BUT, at what cost???.. Now you find
yourself having to ask if their is a "Wal-Mart" in town, because now, their
IS nothing else...
One, among many, pet peeves I have, is the companie's stubborness on
working to develop on properties where infrastructures already exist (sewer,
electric, etc.) Instead, they take the "easier" way out and start the
"sprawl-ball" rolling!
While they are most likely making fair decisions that benefit the company
itself, the losers ultimately are the communities when they have to
subsidize this poor planning by building new roads, sewers, etc... provide
police and fire, new schools, and even sometimes handing out tax
abatements. One has to wonder if the investment in having such places
come into town is a wise long term investment. Point is, it's about more
than saving 5cents on a shower curtain.
Lastly, among several other pet peeves, is this "greenwashing" they do. As
an example scenario, they make a donation to a nature center, and now they
are hailed as the pillars of the community in education and environmental
stewardship. Isn't this the same place that cleared 60 acres of forest to
tell me that they "care" about the environment? The same forest that
perhaps you collected fish from.
Yes, I know that even the place I live sits on land that was once
forested, but now that we know the impacts of excessive sprawl and how to
sustainably plan and build our communities, we can't keep using old and
outdated planning ideals that treat the land and resources as though
they are "limitless"... It is unlikly that we ever achieve such a
perfect for everyone kind of town or city, but can't we at least strive
for it, by keeping some of the abve in mind?
Sadly, they continue to do so, like a man who beat his wife, goes to rehab
and makes community service to a battered wives program, then when
finished, goes right back to his old ways. Also, let them offer a local
business the opportunity to sell his/her product in their store, and
suddenly, through grand PR, they become the saviors of the "little guy"..
I have a friend who owns a pizza shop. Wal-Mart wanted to carry his pizzas
frozen for sale in their stores. He was offered the opportunity, but not
without Wal-Mart execs. wanting him to cheapen the product, give him nothing
for it, and sell it at a much greater mark-up. The result???. It makes
Wal-Mart look to the public, as though they are helping the independant
business! I am glad this person I know told them to go take a hike!
It is often touted that they create jobs, but no one tells you about the
jobs and taxes LOST due to how many they have driven under. I know free
enterprise is at work, but for whom, may I ask?.. If this is, then it's
fair game to let an NFL team play your local Pop-Warner kiddie league!
At the rate it's going, all towns and cities retail districts will be
exactly the same, owned by a few corporations who will be able to do as
they wish, and you will have no voice in government. I may not change the
world, but I am glad enough to know that I'm still free to think , and to
not give my money to places that I feel do not care about what I think,
afterall, hitting them in the wallet is where it's at! The backbone of the
economy is small and independent business. According to the national
Federation of Independent Businesses, small business accounts for some 80%
of our work force. (Don't quote me on this, at last check, this is what I
read)
Ok... Now you can all hate me for saying this.. :-)
Well, I guess I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am
not.... HA!
Rob C.
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