Vallejo, Calif.: Readers Shed Light on Wal-Mart

The real Wal-Mart situation

Here we go again! The Wal-Mart defenders are at it, with no less than two opinion pieces in Sunday’s Times-Herald. What I find interesting to observe is these pro Wal-Mart groupies’ minds are impenetrable fortresses that disallow any facts to get in their way and rely only on beliefs.
In reference to the letter from Rosemarie Wilson of American Canyon ("Still the same,” Oct. 14), I will point out fact vs. belief:

• Belief: During Wal-Mart’s opening, Caltrans road construction between Donaldson Way and American Canyon Road created a traffic bottleneck.

Fact: During Caltrans construction, all lanes going north and south were open during commute times.

• Belief: A traffic light will be installed that has nothing to do with Wal-Mart.

Fact: There will be a traffic light installed that will benefit Wal-Mart and will be paid for by American Canyon taxpayers.

• Belief: The same Vallejo Wal-Mart shoppers from Napa and Vallejo are now going to the new American Canyon Wal-Mart Center, therefore inferring there is no increase in traffic.

Fact: Napans had no reason to travel to Vallejo’s Wal-Mart; they have their own Wal-Mart store in Napa. The shoppers that had stopped at the Vallejo Wal-Mart are now

driving to the American Canyon Wal-Mart center, creating more traffic.
• Belief: Nothing has changed that much.

Fact: Traffic has changed radically for commuters as well as local residents.

In conclusion I will refer to another opinion piece ("Happy in American Canyon,” Oct. 14), in which Lavern Marie writes referring to the Wal-Mart center: “Napa Junction is an example for helping our transportation problem throughout California. I don’t even need to drive anywhere.” Well, I have news for you: The traffic is so bad you couldn’t drive anywhere even if you wanted to!

Finally I must close with another of Ms. Marie’s quotes in reference to the Wal-Mart center’s continuing problems: “This was truly a vision - and it’s not even done yet.”

John T. (J.T.) Miller, American Canyon

Posted by Andrew Yonki on Thursday, October 18, 2007

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