CALIFORNIA SITE FIGHT: RESIDENTS SPAR OVER PROPOSED WAL-MART
More than 500 people packed City Hall in Atascadero to voice their opinion on having a Wal-Mart as a potential neighbor.
America’s largest retailer wants to fund independent research on the impact of opening a new Supercenter in Atascadero, located at the Del Rio / El Camino Real intersection.
For Atascadero opponents and proponents to a new Wal-Mart Supercenter, bringing the retail giant to town is more than a game.
“I think we need to follow Paso’s suit and turn our town on by having some more retail here,” said Kelly Long of Atascadero.
Tom Comer-- “the promises that Wal-Mart makes aren’t backed by reality in the studies that show that all that glitters is not gold,” said Tom Comer who opposes Wal-Mart.
The property’s developer says other business are willing to help make Atascadero sparkle but they are relying on a Wal-Mart as an anchor.
“Who’s interested in the annex without Wal-Mart. Nobody,” said Keith Matthias, speaking at the meeting.
“All we’re asking for a fair shake,” said Aaron Rios at the meeting.
Judging by the controversy surrounding the issue, it seems a shake-up is more like it. And city staff says the proposal is still an infant.
After a lengthy meeting, the city council has decided to table the issue until Monday when they will hold a meeting open to the public. There they will decide whether or not to allow Wal-Mart to hire an outside consultant for an Environmental Impact Review.
Posted by Michael Mignano on Friday, October 26, 2007
Click Here for a Printer-Friendly Version
COMMENTS
There are no comments for this entry yet. Get the discussion started and post below.
Comment Policy
WalmartWatch.com reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to remove or refuse to post blog comments.