WAL-MART CONTROVERSY IN POLSON, MT

Wal-Mart has signed contract to buy Napanoch Valley Mall [Times Herald-Record (N.Y.)]

Members of the Polson City Council have given retailer Walmart a two year extension plat approval for its planned Super Center in town.

While everything is in line to start construction, opponents are now working on a appeal process.

The current Walmart sits on the south end of Polson, but company representatives say the store is just not big enough, and they want more space to build on new land just above it.

“I think it’s awful I think it’s going to ruin Polson, it’s just too big in this small town and it’s gonna hurt all of the smaller businesses one way or another” says resident Kitty Starke.

“I don’t have an opinion either way, I was involved in the process, which was lengthy, but there’s a lot of people saying the like the idea, but there’s a lot saying it’s not such a good idea” commented Polson City Attorney James Raymond.

Exactly two years ago this month Walmart’s original proposal was approved to build a Super Center just off of U.S. Highway 93, overlooking the city, and now it appears, the way is clear for the bulldozers to get to work.

But controversy still surrounds the proposal, with opinions about how it will affect the local economy, the aesthetic value and even tourism.

“Well if they’re coming to Polson for a small town” says Starke. “It’s gonna wreck the view for one thing.”

The plan for the new Super Walmart takes up almost 20 acres and Walmart’s Senior Public Affairs Manager says they look forward to moving ahead and working with the community to create a store and an environment that will work for everyone.

“The Walmart people have been very easy to work with, with various city staff and boards” adds Raymond.

But opponents say they’ll continue to fight an ongoing battle until a decision is made for when Walmart will break ground on the project.

Members of the group Lake County First tell us that a Super Center could be detrimental to local business, adding it has the potential to shut down a couple grocery stores in Polson.

But Walmart representatives counter by saying that a Super Center will help the local economy by providing more jobs for those who live there.

(from June 30, 2008)

Thursday night Polson residents got a final chance to speak both for, and against, approval of the new super Wal-Mart.

After three hours of listening to resident’s testimony, the Polson City Council voted yes to annex and rezone the 28 acre property.

Greg McGinnis, Wal-Mart’s Senior Public Affairs Manager, says the retailer looking forward to working with the city council and the community to create a store and environment that will work for everybody

McGinnis says the new store will give people jobs, and provide more in the way of charitable donations.

Water, traffic and environmental impact issues have all been discussed as previously requested by Mayor Ingram.

However, numerous questions were still brought up: traffic concerns, air quality, and landscaping.

Some grocery store owners say the idea of the super center is a detriment to the local small town economy, and could cause one or two local stores to shut down.