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Not a Third Wal-Mart in Westminster!
Contributed by: Jane Fancher on 1/8/2007

Here we are in 2007. Let us hope that the new year brings us a Westminster City Council that remembers that they are "all ears" and really puts the citizens first instead of their "strategic plan."

Sadly, 2007 will also mark the building of the THIRD SUPER WAL-Mart on 72nd and Sheridan in the City of Westminster. One that is not wanted by anyone but the City Council. The Westminster Window see's this third Wal-Mart as one of the highlights of the year. How can anyone believe that when this Wal-Mart is what completely divided the City of Westminster. Thousands of residents objected to this Wal-Mart and they obtained over 10,000 signatures objecting to the change in land use and zoning.

Every shovel of dirt that is moved on the Wal-Mart site at 72nd and Sheridan is a reminder to the residents of South Westminster how much they dislike Wal-Mart . They are also reminded of the City Council that forced this Wal-Mart on South Westminster and the $5 Million give-away to Jordon Permutter. They haven't forgotten either that our City Manager, Mr. Brent McFall was untruthful about signing an agreement months before it was made public. Mr. McFall said that the citizens didn't ask the right questions. It's like a kid saying "Well I didn't exactly lie." Even the Rocky Mountain News editorialized about McFall's untruthful statements. The City Council pretended they didn't know anything about this agreement. It is because of the underhandedness that many people have moved out of the city, sold their homes (and many more are attempting to sell their homes). Residents in Westminster have generally become distrustful of their City Government. Many long-time businesses that were at 72nd and Sheridan were forced out of business. They were not able to relocate in Westminster because Mr. Permutter strongarmed his tenants into accepting much less than the $50,000 relocation package and this after the City had given him $5 Million.

It also reminds the residents of South Westminster of the 6-block widening of Sheridan for the benefit of Wal-Mart at a cost of up to $5.5 Million less $1.3 Million to be paid by Wal-Mart. It reminds the citizens that because of the Wal-Mart the City will be spending millions of dollars to put up sound walls to hopefully drown out all of the added traffic and Wal-Mart trucks. South Westminster wonders how many small businesses will go out of business because of the new Wal-Mart and another Super Wal-Mart only 20 blocks away. $5Million plus $4.3 Million plus about another $5 Million equals $14.5 Million plus the cost of the water and sewer lines and other expenses the City has undertaken. How many years will it be before Wesminster actually has any income from this Wal-Mart af ter all the expenses. The Westminster EconomicDevelopment Authority (WEDA) is forecasting $33 in interest income in 2007 and $304,077 in 2008. Was it worth alienating not only South Westminster residents, buy many other residents in the City of Westminster that didn't want any more Wal-Marts. Was the little revenue the City will end up with worth it? We don't think so.

We hope that 2007 will also make the City of Westminster kinder to small business. The City puts impossible demands on small business, but jumps through hopps, bends over backwards and gives millions of dollars to big business (who don't need it) . Big business like Wal-Mart, Lowe's Home Depot and other large corporations. It wasn't that many years ago that businesses went into a venture with their "own" money. Now cities beg business to locate in their city and pay them millions of dollars to do so. It's sad.

Jane Fancher


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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments
Submitted By: Joseph Twogood
posted on 1/18/2007 @ 9:12:02 AM
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Why? It shouldn't be that difficult to understand all the reasons behind this and other "city' decisions. First and formost, people shop there. You can complain all you want and feel sorry for the small businessess but the truth remains, people want and will save as much money as they can for THEIR FAMILY. I do not know one person that will spend more money on something they can get cheaper somewhere else. Secondly, does anyone forget the jobs that are locally created. This is not forcasting by reality again. Low paying jobs? Of course, but they are jobs and they are eating. Don't do the job if you don't like the pay, do it if you do. When I can't afford to shop there then I will complain. Until then, thank you Wal-mart for giving my family a few extra dollars to spend somewhere else. No one is forcing you to shop there. If you all stop shopping there, they would go out of business, however that isn't going to happen.
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Submitted By: Winona Rempel
posted on 1/11/2007 @ 7:33:45 PM
Rated Story
Jane - I whole heartedly agree with you. What we don't need is yet another Wal-mart!! It does seem unfair to give every possible incentive to big businesses and put unreasonable demands on the small businesses. If Westminster is going to cater to big business - Why can't it be a 'Whole Foods'? I would shop there.
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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Jane Fancher

Westminster , CO

Jane Fancher has posted 1 story and 0 comments since joining on 9/14/2005. Jane Fancher 's average story rating is 3.
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