Why another Walmart

EDITOR:

Why another Walmart? We've already got two within driving distance. One has DART bus service. Why four?

I agree with John Hunter's comment in the Sept. 2 issue of The Record-Courier about these apparently self-serving wannabe good fellows in city management.

We voted them in so obviously it's our own fault when the grumbling starts. They, taking us with them, fell prey to the fast talky-talk of Walmart, a greedy corporation. A big goof in my opinion.

If this Walmart goes in, it will ruin this community. Minden and Gardnerville Walmart fans will drain our local merchants of business they sorely need to survive this depression.

Tuesday's (Sept. 1) meeting was standing room only with malcontents mixed in with the curious and undecided. But I didn't hear any real gung-ho backers.

Some wanted to know whose paying. Probably Walmart. Then it falls back to the usual. We, the people.

I like the idea of buying the land around the planned area isolating their operation if possible. But maybe as one man offered, "Just don't shop there." He probably does not have a wife.

As for myself, I think the best solution is quashing the Walmart part, if there is any way.

Our town right now is full of empty office space. The new DMV office is now gone. Other small businesses and restaurants have closed.

The local merchants struggle to keep up, while those who just love to walk the aisles of Walmart think this is great.

Some residents, like me, shop right here as much as possible. I go mall shopping when I bundle my errands.

I do hit my bank, maybe Target, and Staples for computer supplies like cartridges. I can get computer paper at Walgreen's, Scolari's, and Rite Aid.

I went twice and did not like it. It's like shopping in a barn, and I don't like cheap merchandise, even when my pockets are empty.

At the meeting I sat between two people who felt the same way. Forget Walmart. Talk about how we can help keep our local merchants in business.

I'm the new kid on the block, so I'd like to know how this happens. If I am any way responsible for voting for these kinds of city managers, I can change. If it's the big money, when can we vote these guys out? Or are they lifers?

I liked one guy who said, "Let's just boycott the place."

That's all I have to say for now.

Barbara Griffiths

Gardnerville