Lie #1: Wal-Mart Only Build Stores in Communities That Want It
"If they don't want Wal-Mart in their community, then just say it. Don't hide behind all this malarkey." – Lee Scott [CNNMoney, 4/6/05]
“We have almost adopted the position that if some community, for whatever reason, doesn’t want us in there, we aren’t interested in going in and creating a fuss. I encourage us to walk away from this kind of trouble…Wal-Mart wants to go where it’s wanted.” – [Sam Walton: Made in America, 233]
The Truth:
Rapid City, South Dakota.
Residents of the Enchanted Hills Subdivision as well as other residents
opposed to a Wal-Mart development, hailed a Planning Commission
decision to deny a rezoning request. It was their first victory in a
long, long fight. Despite the setback, a Wal-Mart spokesperson said
“…we’re still looking at that site as a possibility. No question.”
Neighboring residents have objected to the project since it was first
proposed in 2006. [Rapid City Journal, 2/27/08]
Beaufort, South Carolina.
On February 11, the Beaufort planning director rejected Wal-Mart’s
plans to build a 195,000-square-foot store because the development
differed from the master plan. Upset over the decision, the project
engineer filed an appeal with the city on Wal-Mart’s behalf. The
application for appeal does not explain the reasoning behind the
claim. [Beaufort Gazette, 2/26/08]
Cordova, Tennessee.
Wal-Mart’s supercenter proposal in Cordova, TN was not met with flowers
and chocolates. Angry residents, who feared the mega store would
generated unwanted traffic, additional crime, and reduced property
values, opposed the store from the beginning. City planners agreed
with the angry citizens. "Our position is that a supercenter in that
location in any design is unacceptable,” said the president of the
nonprofit Gray’s Creek Association. Local parents have also formed a
new group to oppose the supercenter. A senior public affairs manager
for Wal-Mart responds that the “area is a great area for Wal-Mart.
We're not pulling up stakes by any means.” [Commercial Appeal
(Memphis), 2/23/08]
North Cornwall Township, Pennsylvania.
Wal-Mart plans to build a supercenter in Lebanon County have been
contentious since the first proposal in 2004. In January 2008, an
attorney representing an opposition group filed a request with the
North Cornwall Township to rezone the 90 acres of land where Wal-Mart
wanted to build the 230,000-square-foot super store. Despite this
challenge, Wal-Mart still wants to build on the site. Legal battles
continue to this day. [Patriot News via PennLive, 1/8/08]
Lawrence, Kansas.
After a lengthy dispute between the citizens of Lawrence and Wal-Mart,
the approval of a new supercenter was unfortunate for this Kansas
college town. The conflict began in August 2002, when Wal-Mart
officials first announced their plans to build the 200,000 square-foot
supercenter on the west side of the city. Neighbors immediately raised
concerns about traffic increases and how the supercenter would affect
downtown businesses. After the previous city commission denied the
project, Wal-Mart and VI Wak Investments filed several lawsuits
claiming the city acted outside the scope of its authority.
[University Daily Kansan, 1/17/08]
Canfield, Ohio.
In Canfield, OH residents believe a proposed Wal-Mart store would
stress the township’s sheriff department. They also believe that while
Wal-Mart often touts its new sustainability strategy, the retail has a
long history of leaving empty stores across the United States. Not so
eco-friendly, a township resident pointed out. If Wal-Mart’s plans
stall due to zoning restraints, Wal-Mart could appeal to the common
pleas court. [Vindy (Ohio), 1/16/08]
Mexican lawmaker sues Wal-Mart over store construction near ancient ruins.
A state legislator presented a criminal complaint Tuesday against
Wal-Mart, Mexico's federal archaeological institute and local officials
for allowing the construction of a discount store near the ancient
ruins of Teotihuacan. [AP via Union Tribune (San Diego), 10/19/04]
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