DEAR EDITOR:
Due to the political controversy that has risen from Wal-Mart’s
intent to move to the Highway 152 location and open a Super
Wal-Mart, I have been asked on numerous occasions for my opinion as
to whether or not they should be allowed to do it. Well
… here it is.
DEAR EDITOR:
Due to the political controversy that has risen from Wal-Mart’s intent to move to the Highway 152 location and open a Super Wal-Mart, I have been asked on numerous occasions for my opinion as to whether or not they should be allowed to do it. Well… here it is.
As long as they meet the development requirements, I feel that Wal-Mart has the right to expand and relocate to the Newman Development site. If you were in business, how would you like it if you were prevented from expanding your business unless you unionize, because a decision making body thinks you will be too competitive unless you pay union wages. Whether or not you are a union store should not have any influence on the decision. This is a decision for the employees of Wal-Mart to make not any outside influence.
The benefits for having a new Wal-Mart Super Store in Gilroy far outweigh any negative impact. Here are just a few of the facts:
1) The Newman center on Highway 152 was designed for this type of store and is the right place for them. They should be where the other big stores are.
2) Wal-Mart is not asking for any economic incentive from the City for this new store.
3) They will pay the City almost $3 million dollars in impact fees to build the store.
4) The new store will provide more than $620,000 every year in tax revenues to Gilroy.
5) They will hire about 250 additional employees.
6) Last but not least, they will provide everyday grocery items at very competitive prices.
Union advocates would like to keep Wal-Mart from expanding their store by influencing the decision through the political process. If the unions are successful in this attempt to stop competition among businesses, it will set a bad precedent in Gilroy for both small and large businesses. This country was built on competition and free enterprise.
If anyone would like to discuss this development further with me, I would be very willing to do so.
Bill Lindsteadt, Gilroy, Economic Development Director
Submitted Friday, Oct. 31 to ed****@ga****.com
