DEAR EDITOR:
First of all I would like to congratulate Mayor Al Pinheiro and
Councilman Paul Correa for taking the lead in delaying the Super
Wal-Mart project. There are still many unanswered questions
regarding this project.
DEAR EDITOR:
First of all I would like to congratulate Mayor Al Pinheiro and Councilman Paul Correa for taking the lead in delaying the Super Wal-Mart project. There are still many unanswered questions regarding this project.
It is a very controversial subject here in Gilroy that has become very emotional on both sides of the fence. Most cities and counties throughout California that are worse off economically than Gilroy are not welcoming the supercenters to their communities. Just because a giant retailer waves much needed tax revenue in the face of Gilroy does not mean we proceed without caution.
It is important that big employers in Gilroy offer the majority of workers decent wages and health benefits. How responsible is Wal-Mart for the treatment of employees by vendors outside of the U.S.? What about environmental concerns? One of the main issues is how will Wal-Mart’s increase of retail space and selling of groceries effect Gilroy economically?
The last Economic Impact Report done by the city was more than10 years ago before these extra factors were considered. I moved to Gilroy more than 12 years ago to raise my four children because of the open space and scenic hillsides. We have already lost a lot of this due to rubber stamping of projects.
I became involved in the community because this is a great place to live with a lot of caring people who take the time to get involved.
If you want to meet some of them just take a walk downtown. The merchants there are those who donate money and raffle prizes to not-for-profit causes because they are aware of what is going on in the Gilroy community.
Every time one of them goes out of business we lose some of the heart and soul of our community.
If you want to see what the residents of Gilroy think about the issue go the The Dispatch web site and check out the poll results. (More than 54 percent say NO).
It will get to the point economically of a dog chasing his tail. The more Gilroy expands the more resources are needed to accommodate them.
I don’t know about you but I do not want to live in “The new hub of Silicon Valley” as dubbed by Economic Director Bill Linsteadt. I am not anti-Wal-Mart just pro-Gilroy.
Arthur C. Barron, Gilroy
Submitted Sunday, Feb. 22 to ed****@****ic.com
