News Clips

A dozen communities across California were ripped apart when 70,000 grocery workers went on strike after local grocery stores tried to slash wages and benefits to stay competitive with Wal-Mart.  Now citizens in Michigan, Indiana, New York, Washington and Kansas are fighting back. 

Johnson County, Indiana nixed a Supercenter when the Greenwood planning commission voted 7-1 against the mega-store. Residents who live near the proposed project site are relieved.

Citizens of Franklin, Wisconsin opposed a Supercenter, pushing for a city ordinance limiting the size of all so-called "big box" retailers.  The proposed ordinance, modeled after Stoughton, would buy time so the city can update its local zoning codes to encourage appropriate and sustainable development, said Lori Hubbart, a founding member of Citizens for Franklin's Future.

A proposed Wal-Mart is making waves in Papillion, Nebraska where residents don't want the shopping center.  It's gigantic," said John Smith, a neighbor who opposes the development. "The fabric of the neighborhoods in Papillion is such that neighborhoods are king," Smith said. Residents worry the center could be open 24 hours a day. "Which causes all kinds of lighting problems, noise problems, noise pollution," said Jim Deseck, a concerned neighbor.

In White River, Indiana residents are gearing up to convince a seven-member council — a board most residents have never gone to the polls to elect — that Wal-Mart should be turned away. “Our actions over the last six months have been geared toward the upcoming city council vote,” said John Dorsett, a member of White River Citizens United.

In Thornton, Colorado hundreds of residents brought protest signs and signed petitions against Wal-mart. They say roads in their neighborhood will never be able to handle all the extra traffic a store this size would bring. They will next try to get a referendum to stop the proposed project.

In Windsor Township, Pennsylvania many York County residents want to stop a proposed Wal-Mart from being built. Citizens For Responsible Development held its second meeting, stating their concerns are extra traffic, too many lights and lower property values.

In Lawrence, Kansas, Wal-Mart has a big target on its back.  Alan Cowles, president of the West Lawrence Neighborhood Association, said "The three big issues for us are traffic, traffic and traffic," Cowles said. The giant retail box also would hurt the downtown retail shopping district, which Lawrence residents are fond of. There is already empty retail space in Lawrence. If more is built, there will likely be more empty spaces, Cowles said.

The city of Gilroy, California is standing up against the building of a new  Supercenter, citing concerns over wages and land use. A "coalition of small businesses, environmentalists, grocery store workers and residents" is urging the City Council to slow the project down.

Contra Costa Came Close to Beating Wal-Mart last week.  Despite being outspent by more than 2 to 1, the grassroots campaign to keep big-box stores like Wal-Mart out of Contra Costa County came within a few thousand votes of beating the corporate giant.

In Hanford, California critics are concerned the downtown area of the city will suffer if the super store is built.  The Chamber of Commerce will host a town hall meeting between representatives of the store chain and the Hanford "NOW" committee, which stands against Wal-Mart.

Featured National News Quote

  “Wal-Mart's only competition seems to be the proliferation of groups warring with it. America's largest private sector union, the United Food and Commercial Workers, struggles to organize its workers. Some female employees are pursuing the largest potential class-action employee lawsuit. Other workers have been taking Wal-Mart to court for allegedly not paying overtime. Some offer advice on the Internet on how to disrupt stores' paging, phone and computer systems.”
- The Baltimore Sun

Denver Post: Will Break To Wal-Mart Really Pay?
Friday, September 26, 2003

Newton Citizen: Wal-Mart Plan Raises Economic, Traffic Concerns
Friday, September 26, 2003

St. Petersburg Times: Residents: Wal-Mart Plan 'A Major Disaster'
Friday, September 26, 2003

Rocky Mountain News: Residents Weigh In On Wal-Mart
Friday, September 26, 2003

Kansas City Star: Wal-Mart Says Sex Discrimination Suit Should Be Dismantled
Thursday, September 25, 2003

KOCO-TV Channel 5: Neighbors Take Wal-Mart Fight To Court
Thursday, September 25, 2003

St. Petersburg Times: Residents Object To Coming Of Wal-Mart
Thursday, September 25, 2003

Denver Post: Wal-Mart, Local Merchants Square Off
Thursday, September 25, 2003

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