Photo: Robert Cuthbert
Once again local community members have come together to fight the world’s largest retail corporation. In the small, and out of the way, City of Lompoc (CA) a small group of activists prepares to make their stand.
In 1992 a similar coalition of community members opposed the original local Walmart store. In a drawn out process the “big box” retailer ultimately prevailed. When in late 2006 Walmart approached the City to convert to a Supercenter, residents again organized in opposition, this time they won in short order.
This year Walmart is determined to build the Supercenter increasing area by 51%. The legal process began with the initiation of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) planning process under California’s Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
The Act requires new construction projects comply with a wide range of environmental issues. Outright impacts can prohibit construction; the applicant may moderate lesser ones. Mitigations can take many forms. If the process identifies significant effects on the environment Walmart would need to avoid, minimize, or otherwise eliminate the impacts. The CEQA process can stop a project altogether.
The public had their first opportunity to give their opinion August 26. The hearing at City Hall was met by a rally outside of a dozen citizens lead by Harry Keim. The recent city council candidate explained his concerns, “we know it’s going to hurt the economic stability of the city.” “Walmart will dominate the market by underselling local businesses,” he said.
Dozens of outspoken residents dominated the hearing. Little was said in support of the project while a local Walmart manager listened. City officials moderated the meeting while residents spoke their minds. The public was invited to speak, or alternatively make written comments.
Organizer of the ad hoc group Citizens Against Walmart Expansion, Rosemary Holmes, is adamant in her opinion. “In order for Lompoc to build a vibrant and healthy community we need to shore up businesses already here and encourage new businesses that are locally owned,” She warns. “A Walmart Supercenter is not the answer, and we must and will fight it with everything we have.”
The group continues to follow the CEQA process. The next step is public outreach and education before the second public hearing period in early November. That hearing will be the last opportunity for the public to make direct comments. Once a final EIR is produced the Lompoc Planning Commission may, or may not, approve the project.
Comments
My in-laws live there, including my sister-in-law and niece, and Walmart is the only legitimate volume employer there, with the exception of Vandenberg AFB. Lompoc has a significant population of state welfare recipients, and Walmart's expansion will decrease that substantially when it hires locals to staff it. Lompoc is located far enough away from other towns to actually make the claim that the jobs would go mostly to its own residents, unlike most L.A. County cities that hire residents in neighboring cities.
So Lompoc has a dozen or so "employed" NIMBY's who are basically asking the town to ignore its high unemployment rate to save a few small businesses that have not been typical small businesses in their hiring practices. The follow-up studies to Wal-Mart placements and expansions have actually shown an increase in a small business sales volume due to an increase in the business' exposure to those driving by it...on their way to Wal-Mart.
I would first Gage what is considered legitimate in th eye,s of Lompoc citizens as far as what is a viable business that adds to the overall economic stability of our city ! The Walmart expansion is an affront to equal business practices, a monopoly comes to mind ! To point fingers at the less fortunate is not justification of why Walmart should be here while blaming small businesses! So if Walmart is legitimate what are the other businesses considered to be ? Are they our judge ? The writer wants you to believe that Walmart is our great savor and the best thing sense peanut butter and the truth is no one is against Walmart, just there expansion ! No business should dominate the total economic viability of a city based only on how rich they are and the influence there of ! The other small businesses do not have that same power of manipulation and I believe they should be equal, of course the game changes when one business has unstoppable influence, as Walmart has ! Thankyou !
As a local resident I do not see the need for the Walmart expansion. Yes they have cheap stuff for sale. The local store is big enough for the size of our community. Typically over all Walmart has a deliterious effect on the local quality of life. There have been many studies done on their bussiness plan from preeminate buissness schools. Thier conclusions point to the cost to local tax payers of subsidizing the low wages paid by Walmart. So basically we local taxpayers pay the freight for the Walmart corparate welfare system. One could make the argument that Walmart does in fact contrbute to the increase in the welfare state through thier low wages. As far as the way they treat their workers do some research for your self on the many labor law violations Walmart has commited. Does this sound like something we should be encouraging in our community?
As I said before no business should dominate the economic flow of money within a city ! Follow up studies written by consultants who sway public opinion are of little importance in a town that deserves to thrive, minus the expansion !
I don't care much for Walmart's business model. Corporations are wonderful wealth generating enterprises; however, as presently organized the lion's share of the profits go to those who own & manage the company with those actually doing the work are being short changed. While we experience less and less influence over decisions that effect our lives at the Federal and State level it is important to create the kind of local community that will allow us to be self-sufficient as citizens. I would rather spend my money in local businesses even if it might cost me more knowing that this money will remain in our community and support people here. I contrast this with saving a little money at Walmart but then knowing that most of the profits will be leaving our community and going back to Walmart's corporate headquarters in Arkansas--Guy
In response to John S. Its amazing who is dependent on Walmart for survival,,, So a Welfare state is what we need to hold our city together? Is Walmart to be believed as the great savior of the cities poor,,at the same time sucking the life out of the other businesses,,,I would say no, it not true what John is saying. A corporation like Walmart only cares about the bottom line,,which is making money and feeds on those who think they care ! Point" those who start new have to wait many months before getting store discounts" and that s because of the constant turnover of employees they run thru like old garbage. Mr S. can only see what worked for him and not others who are being taken advantage of ! Shame ! The point of it is they save thousands at the expense of its employees who work limited hours with less pay and no health care,,,so if he wants to show what a great Humanitarian Walmart is, then they should start with there own employees, and then they can show a city money is second.
Mr John S. implies that Walmart is the only real Legitimate volume employer,,,as if the other businesses have no real legal standing in a community ! Latter in his writing he states that Lompoc has already conceded to the unemployment rate of those less fortunate !,,and that Walmart will fix it all and that its ok to loose a few small businesses,,, as if he and Walmart have already decided how its going to be ! That s not true ! We have a process in our city government that will make the decission ,,based on what Lompoc Citizens want ! I want to believe our city Government can see this for what it is, a real takeover of our city by a powerfull money machine with no real feelings as to whether other businesses survive or Die. I do know people who work at Walmart and they wont speak out because of fear of loosing there job. This Concept is not what real America working class hero,s should endure ! They shortchange there workers and then profess they are helping the lower class! Sad !
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!