Duluth.Talk

By Marline Santiago-Cook

July 18, 2007 7:11 AM | Link to this

No, we do not want a big box in our back yard. There is something that residents can do. We are not giving up. Over 1,600 people have signed the online petition to stop the Wal-Mart. Our goal is 6,000 or more (25% of Duluth population).(http://www.smartgrowthgwinnett.com)It take less than a minute to add your name. Let your voice be heard!It will be very hard for the City of Duluth to ignore our revolution.

By Bob

July 18, 2007 7:24 AM | Link to this

What I want is for the local governmennt to arbitrarily change the rules on what you can do to your property. Then let’s see what you scream about.

Hypocrites are so quick to take from others to please themselves.

By Al

July 18, 2007 7:39 AM | Link to this

“…a Wal-Mart on Peachtree Industrial - a super Wal-Mart no less.”

SUPER Wal-Marts are the ONLY kind of Wal-Marts anymore. All of the new Wal-Marts being built are super-sized, and the few remaining smaller Wal-Marts are either converted to a super-size store or closed in favor of a new super-sized one being built down the road on “greener pastures.” The beast just gets bigger and bigger as it consumes more and more.

As Bill indicated, I’d rather they just hire enough additional cashiers to run the 70-80% of the check-out lines that are constantly closed…at least that would relieve the pressure created by the bottleneck of customers wanting to purchase their items and leave in a timely fashion.

I could go on & on with venting about Wal-Mart, but I’d rather just go to Target instead…you pay a little more there, but the no-hassle experience is worth it.

By Reba

July 18, 2007 7:51 AM | Link to this

Walmart is one of Gwinnett’s five largest employers. That is sad, especially when you consider that Walmart pays such low wages. Except for the management employees, many of the workers are paid such low salaries that they qualify for taxpayer assistance such as rental subsidies, food stamps, WIC vouchers, day care subsidies, and Peach Care.

When Walmart moves to an area, the local schools see a drastic increase in the free/reduced lunch %. Take a look at how Richards Middle School and Cedar Hill Elemenatary were impacted by the Walmart at Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd. Both schools are now at 61% free/reduced lunch. Now that the schools are Title 1, the federal tax payers get to send extra funding to help out.

When a Walmart is built, the cry goes out for affordable housing, usually in the form of cheap apartments. Sadly, increased crime goes hand-in-hand with cheap apartments. Just check the docket book at the Gwinnett County Detention Center to see how many arrests are coming out of the apartment complexes. Next, we’ll have cries for more police officers due to the increasing crime.

When we add more retail establishments, the only winners are the local government officials who receive kickbacks from the developers, the developers who make tons of money, and the upper echelon of the big retailers. The losers are all the taxpayers who have to pick up the tab for the peons who cannot support themselves on the wages paid by the big retailers.

Gwinnett County has destroyed itself by focusing on retail development. We no longer have a highly educated labor pool, so why would any high quality businesses move here? We are down to 22.2% of our population with a college education, and only 8.9% with a post-graduate education.

While we may get the occasional high-quality small business to move here, such as that gaming company, but I doubt we’ll ever again attract high-quality large corporations to Gwinnett.

By Nancy

July 18, 2007 7:59 AM | Link to this

We like our quiet summers. We do not need another Wal-Mart.

By Anonymous

July 18, 2007 8:43 AM | Link to this

No, I’d prefer for our local economies to actually survive. Next question?

By delois

July 18, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this

All the people in Duluth need to do is check out how the WalMart in Lawrenceville has impacted the surrounding area. Reba covered the impact of that store’s effect on our school district. Perhaps the Duluth folks can visit our WalMart when they are having one of their Hispanic Festivals in the WalMart parking lot to get a true picture. We fought a valiant fight in Lawrenceville but to no avail and now the facts show that our worries about WalMart coming into the area have come true. Duluth residents are probably looking at the same result.

By Cathy Ramadei

July 18, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

Mayor Lasseter says “the land in question already is zoned for commercial development. That means a Wal-Mart store or any other similar retail development is allowed…and that Georgia law does not allow the city to prohibit the use as long as the project is developed in accordance with City of Duluth standards.” All this tells me is that City of Duluth “$tandard$” $eem to take precendence over the need$, de$ire$ and quality of life of Duluth citizen$. The almighty $$$$ has become the gold $tandard for Duluth.

By Caroline Mendez

July 18, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this

Our community of 234 homes 1 mile up from the proposed site DOES NOT want this Wal-Mart, smack in the middle of 8+ residential communities. 24 hours = round the clock traffic, more exhaust, more time on the road for all of us. Not to mention the 1000 of US Wal-Mart says are their customers that they are wanting to better serve. Better serving us is properly manning their existing stores and honoring the wishes of OUR Duluth community.

By Caroline Mendez

July 18, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

Wal-Mart’s founder Sam Walton said (paraphrase) “We will never build in a community that does not want us.”

So the question to Wal-Mart, is: “Are you now turning away from your own founder’s philosophy?”

Seems like the current management could learn a thing or two from him.

Putting people first, not profits, is the corner stone of great American businesses.

By Deven

July 18, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

It takes me 40 minutes to go from Sugarloaf to SR120. It is a short distance of 3-4 miles. If Walmart comes, it will have a greater impact and PIB would be choked.

It is about time that the officials take responsibility for this.

By Kimberly

July 18, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

When Sam Walton was alive, Walmart was a different store. They used to advertise that all of their products were made in the US. That is no longer the case, so I don’t expect them to care that their store is not wanted in Duluth. I agree with Al-I’d rather go to Target.

By Bruce Wilcox

July 18, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

Just who caused this problem, the Wal-Marts, the developers, the commissioners, the mayor or the people that elect them year after year?

By Mark

July 18, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

I understand just like the rest of you that you do not want another Wal-Mart. I get it. What realistic stance do you expect the city to take? Do you expect them to willfully and purposefully violate state law?

By Crystal

July 18, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

I would rather look for sales at Publix, Kroger and Target then spend countless hours walking Wal-mart looking for my items. They are CONSTANTLY moving their merchandise to trick customers into buying more crap. I grew tired of looking for my items, standing in long lines to pay them my money and refuse to work for free in their store with the self checkouts. Over all, I don’t notice a big difference in my pocket book but did notice a big difference on my sanity.

By yikes

July 18, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

WalMart does not pay low wages. Many of the employees CHOOSE to work part-time because they qualify for government help and they don’t want to jepordize the help. Those who CHOOSE to work full-time (32+ hrs per week) are entitled to health benefits and pension plans. A cashier can earn up to $10 per hour and receive a bonus with good scanning reports! They also are eligible to receive year-end bonuses if the year-end inventory is good. I agree I would not want a WalMart in my backyard either but check the facts about the employer.

By yikes

July 18, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

WalMart does not pay low wages. Many of the employees CHOOSE to work part-time because they qualify for government help and they don’t want to jepordize the help. Those who CHOOSE to work full-time (32+ hrs per week) are entitled to health benefits and pension plans. A cashier can earn up to $10 per hour and receive a bonus with good scanning reports! They also are eligible to receive year-end bonuses if the year-end inventory is good. I agree I would not want a WalMart in my backyard either but check the facts about the employer.

By Bubba

July 18, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this

Heck yes, I expect them to willfully and purposefully violate the law. If a law is bad, if it serves a few while neglecting the many (like so many other Georgia laws do), then stand up and do something about it. This is the United States of America, not the Conglomerated States of the Wealthy Few.

By Jamiah Adams

July 18, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this

Watch the documentary, “Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price.” Robert Greenwald, Brave New Films produced this documentary which has served as a great community mobilizer against Wal-Marts in communities around the country. Please contact me, part of my job as Outreach Director is to send out free DVDs to community groups around the country that are fighting against Wal-Mart.

Jamiah Adams http://www.bravenewfoundation.org

By PA

July 18, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this

Did the traffice study include the impact of traffic at the intersection of Chattahoochee Dr and Rogers Bridge Rd? It semms if one wants to go south on PIB, they must exit by Chattahoochee Dr.

Has anyone looked at the time line to see if the city straightened out that intersection in preparation for its marriage proposal to Walmart? Which came first?

Will the city be able to recoup the cost of all the accidents that will happen at that intersection? The increased need for fire and ambulance?

We already know that the city will have to increase it budget to include more police to manage the increase in crime and traffic accidents?

And what’s up with the guy from Walmart telling us all about the ample green space only to tell us about ten minutes later that it was to be sold as out parcels to “quality” restaurants? I wonder what quality restaurant wants to look over the city dump or the Walmart parking lot?

By Earley

July 18, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this

Sure I want Wal-Mart in my community; what I don’t want are FOUR or FIVE Wal-Marts in my community. Currently I can drive less than five miles in three different directions to get to different Wal-Mart Supercenters… so NO to any new ones in the area. Shame on Wal-Mart for even trying.

By Marline

July 18, 2007 7:05 PM | Link to this

What I want is for the local government to arbitrarily change the rules on what you can do to your property. Then let’s see what you scream about.

Bob- I may not be happy if the government arbitrarily changed the laws to prevent me from doing something in my property. But, the government is made up of citizens who have been elected to represent the public interest of the community as a whole. I would have to look at the reasons why the large majority of the people are against my project. I may not like it but I have to accept the fact that we live in a democracy and even though the system is not perfect it help us maintain a civil society. It seems that many elected officials (not just in Duluth) seem to have forgotten this point.

This situation shows the way that it is supposed to work. The City of Duluth officials need to execute based on the will of their constituents and not their own.

We are saying that conditions have changed and this project is too big for the location. It is obvious that Jack Bandy, the owner of the property, does not live in Duluth. He is far away in Dalton where he does not have to worry about the impact that a big box will have on the local communities. We are not talking about imminent domain or rezoning. We know that the area is zoned commercial. The project is too big for this particular location.

By Cheryl Morda

July 18, 2007 8:37 PM | Link to this

WE ARE SURROUNDED BY WALMARTS and shells of previous walmarts!! Enough is enough!! When are Gwinnett County and city of Duluth Planners and elected officials going to listen to the people who put them in office??? STOP RAMPANT DEVELOPMENT@!!! We have had enough of empty strip malls and abandoned warehouse stores. Case in point, Ingalls shopping center Pleasant Hill Rd and Howell Ferry.

By Maria

July 18, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this

The city made an error zoning the property in question “C2” in the first place. They need to practice proper risk management controls and correct their errors before they wind up with a huge Public Official Errors and Omissions law suit. Public officials also need to realize that they can also be held personally liable for their mistakes.

By Katie

July 19, 2007 8:11 AM | Link to this

I think there are enough Walmarts around here. What Walmart should do is hire more cashiers, most of the check out lanes are consistently closed. But standing in line is a good time to check out all the Bubba’s, Cletus’ and Elmers shopping there.

By Katie

July 19, 2007 8:13 AM | Link to this

I think there are enough Walmarts around here. What Walmart should do is hire more cashiers, most of the check out lanes are consistently closed. But standing in line is a good time to check out all the Bubba’s, Cletus’ and Elmers shopping there.

By Katie

July 19, 2007 8:14 AM | Link to this

I think there are enough Walmarts around here. What Walmart should do is hire more cashiers, most of the check out lanes are consistently closed. But standing in line is a good time to check out all the Bubba’s, Cletus’ and Elmers shopping there.

By barbara

July 19, 2007 8:59 AM | Link to this

I will always shop at a Walmart. I figure if you don’t like Walmart, don’t shop there and the company would go broke. I like to keep it simple.

By barbara

July 19, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this

I will always shop at a Walmart. I figure if you don’t like Walmart, don’t shop there and the company would go broke. I like to keep it simple.

By Mark Davis

July 19, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

Now the court square’s just a set of streets

That the people go around but they seldom think

Bout the little man that built this town

Before the big money shut em down

And killed the little man

Oh the little man

• Alan Jackson

By Dave

July 19, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

The city planner says that C2 is the proper zoning along a road such as PIB. She also points out that all the residential development that has taken place along PIB did so afer the land was rezoned from C2.

My question for the mayor, city council & city planners is this: Don’t you have a fiduciary responsibility to your citizens to rezone undeveloped parcels of land that are no longer zoned in harmony with the developed land around it?

By TK

July 19, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this

Go to [WakeUpWalmart.com] (http://www.wakeupwalmart.com) and you can see numerous reasons not to want a Wal-Mart in your back yard.

By Pvt. Prop.

July 19, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

You are SUCH an idiot to quote thomas Jefferson to support your position, and I’m going to use that to pound your head to bloody pulp. Jefferson was against the use of eminent domain. Period. But James Madison persuaded him that taking of private property for public use was acceptable as long as just compensation was paid. So, you are such a flippin’ NIMBY idiot to wail that the GOVERNMENT won’t protect you from Wal-mart. Who owns the property? None of you NIMBY dumbazzes, apparently. Why don’t you band together and buy it from whoever owns it? Then you can keep it a pristine enclave of benighted royal-butted snobby cretins.

By John

July 20, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this

Bill, I agree with your column and am sicked by what appears to be the lack of concern by our elected officials. I have heard first hand the same response you quoted in your column, “that’s what it’s zoned for.” I really don’t care what it’s zoned for. (A suggestion - check the zoning of all undeveloped land and correct this situation.) I want to hear the voice of an elected official who shares the concerns of the community. What about building something that is appropriate for the surrounding homes. It doesn’t seem appropriate to build a big box store in the middle of 1/4 to 1/2 million dollar homes, does it? Where is the common sense here. There is no pressure to be relieved at the store on Pleasant Hill. You are right, most of the cash registers are closed when ever I make the mistake of going in there. We need to get some people in leadership who really care. Look at our neighbors in Suwanee. Top ten in the country…. “Commercial” also means you can build shops, and restaurants; mini-shopping villages; boutiques and cafes etc… I rode down 141 in John’s Creek the other day and saw a neat little village of shops and cafe’s nestled around homes. Why does our community attract the Walmart investors and not those that build places like this? Common sense Planning Board. Common sense city officials…. Walmart is not needed and is not appropriate in that area. Here’s an opportunity to step up and do something positive for your community. Just say “NO”. Remember, you have no responsibility to the folks at Walmart, but you do to us.

By Matthew Dickinson

July 21, 2007 6:49 AM | Link to this

People don’t care about local businesses that much. They prefer bigger stores because they’re more impressive, universal and have cheaper prices. People like to feel like they’re part of the bigger picture, so they buy products from the largest stores. If you don’t like a store, then you shouldn’t buy things from it. Most people that complain about big corporations, though, are big consumers and they are just projecting their own guilt. I agree, though, that our government, and the governments in China, Bangladesh, etc., should do something about the slavery that companies like Wal-Mart employee.

By Matthew Dickinson

July 21, 2007 6:50 AM | Link to this

People don’t care about local businesses that much. They prefer bigger stores because they’re more impressive, universal and have cheaper prices. People like to feel like they’re part of the bigger picture, so they buy products from the largest stores. If you don’t like a store, then you shouldn’t buy things from it. Most people that complain about big corporations, though, are big consumers and they are just projecting their own guilt. I agree, though, that our government, and the governments in China, Bangladesh, etc., should do something about the slavery in Wal-Mart factories.

By Tamyra Hyatt (Owen's mom)

July 21, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

I challenge Glen Wilkins and the Wal-Mart lawyers and project manager, and yes, even the Walton descendants, to come see what the reality is of building a Wal-Mart in our back yard. Drive down PIB at 8:30 in the morning and then back at 5:30 in the evening and tell me how much of a good thing it will be to add more traffic to this.

Visit the super centers on Pleasant Hill Rd and Satellite and tell me is this is what you want in your back yard?

My 8-year-old son has more common sense and demonstrates the true impact of this project. We drove by the proposed site (which is within walking distance for us) and he said, “Mom, Jack lives right there. He will be able to look right out his window at the Wal-Mart. His mom said they’ll have to move.” At this he became really quiet and was very upset. We had to talk to him and explain that we’re all going to do our best, but unfortunately it’s hard to fight Wal-Mart.

What are my son and our children learning from this? The good thing is the community coming together to voice outrage. Please keep it up! The sad thing — will they listen?

By Denise

July 21, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

Duluth and Gwinnett officials should support their constituents. A zoning goof has occurred here, either 10 years ago when they permitted all our homes (now 1,000+) along PIB or when they zoned the C2 property across the street. Now a big box wants in and its store, 900 parking spaces, 18 wheelers, lights, and added crime traffic doesn’t fit the neighborhood. Your 2030 plan will be too late. Stop the bulldozers this year. Wal-Mart will move on and leave its ugly shell, like it has twice already in Duluth. Your voters would like to stay in small town Duluth.

By 1ST

July 22, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

I lived IN Atlanta (inside the City limits) for 40 years. Atlanta has only ONE Wal-Mart!

If you’re tired of the long drives, the burbs, the congestion, the lack of cultural agendas and the lack of true diversity, move back into the City.

By Nancy

July 22, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

We accept the long drives, we do not want to make them worse. I like the burbs. The congestion is bad all over the Metro area. I agree with the lack of cultural agendas but we are close enough to the city to take attend the events. However, we are seeing some improvement with the addition of the Civic Center. Which by the way is in Duluth…

I like the recreational leagues and other activities available to our kids. We have seen these kids grow up together. We know the families and together we have gone through marriages, births, graduations, deaths and many other significant events.

Not everyone wants to live in the City.

By Dana

July 22, 2007 7:31 PM | Link to this

By wtf

July 23, 2007 6:47 AM | Link to this

Per yikes - full time people can earn up to $10 an hour - big deal - you still can’t afford to buy health care making $10 an hour. Health care should never have been tied to employment. If you were born in the US and are legal you should be entitled to health care. We need to stop sending so much money to other countries and take care of our own.

By Ruthie Williams

July 23, 2007 8:28 AM | Link to this

This has been an ongoing problem for sometime; needing a WalMart on every corner. City Ordinance should give consideration to the survival of small businesses. Why are they allowing a company, who doesn’t appear to decrease the unemployement lines by much, build so many ‘super’ stores, that only short sited people are pleased with. There are numerious reasons on why we shouldn’t have ‘sell everything’ retail stores come to areas that already have needs meet by many within their own community. When will people realize, that the buck or 2 you are saving today will cost you double soon, in removal of trees, open fields, and neighbors losing their liveihood to electronic registers not worried about your future or mine.

By Anonymous

July 23, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

All very true, Ruthie, but long-term thinking is not America’s forte. And the politicians know it.

By Live in Duluth

July 23, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this

I have lived in Duluth for ovber 2 years and get tired of all you snobs in your beemers and mercedes thinking that you are to good for regular folks.

Get you snob noses out of the air!

I like the idea!

By justin

July 23, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this

I have seen many uproars over WalMart building somewhere but never seen one that was not busy and full of customers. Someone must want them.

By John

July 24, 2007 7:43 AM | Link to this

Dear Anonymous, feel better now! Sounds like you have more problems than Walmart. Have a GREAT day.

By charliejoe

July 24, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this

I haven’t shopped at Sprawl-Mart for years now, and I have to say I sure don’t miss it. I am against Wal-Marts in general for the myriad of reasons outlined in the movie mentioned earlier (which I have seen) and the website

(http://www.walmartwatch.com)

I also will second Dana’s comments. First of all, I asssume all you people complaining about the new Wal-Mart when you say the lines aren’t open now are hearing this second-hand? I don’t know if you understand, but your visiting the Wal-Mart (even if it is 6 miles away or whatever) is the only reason they want to open another Wal-Mart in your backyard. Wal-Mart is an evil company and you buying things there encourages every bad thing they do. For crying out loud, quit shopping there or quit your b***!

By DD

July 24, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this

Any other retailer wouldn’t build with such a public outcry against it. That pretty much sums up the Wal-Mart philosophy. Greed and apathy.

By charliejoe

July 24, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this

Greed and apathy from the public doesn’t hurt, either. I don’t know how many rich people I know who would be appalled if a Wal-Mart came to their neighborhood, but will continue to shop at the one across town. Isn’t that like complaining about the price of oil while driving a Hummer? Okay, it’s really not, but it is ironic and nonsensical in the same way.

By Kimmy

July 25, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

First, I hate WalMart for all of the reasons mentioned throughout these posts. I have lived in Duluth for years. I no longer shop in the Pleasant Hill corridor because of the traffic, crime and the fact that the area is no longer equitably diverse. I find myself heading to neighbording counties to shop at the nice neighborhood stores and cafes in Johns Creek and Suwanee. I never shop at WalMart so don’t call me a hypocrite. The new PIB store will be right in the way of my trek up to Fresh Market. I’ll miss shopping there.

BTW, two weeks ago I shot off nicely written emails to David Wilkins at WalMart and Mayor Shirley of Duluth telling them of my opposition to WalMart. Within an hour I had a response (not canned either) from someone claiming to be David Wilkins but I never received anything from the Mayor. Go figure!

By Kev

July 27, 2007 7:36 AM | Link to this

Your article here was forwarded to me because I too battled my county (Newton) from letting yet another super mega Walmart down the road from me. When we realized there was no way we’d win, we asked that if they build then they improve the roads in the area (which they had no intentions of). So now we are going to have 300,000 sq. foot of retail off a very congested two-lane road. One of the commissioners owned the property that was originally zoned residential so we knew Walmart and our commissioner would get the commercial zoning. When is enough, enough? I for one will never set foot in another Walmart. Too bad others would trade convenience for buying their underwear, for their safety. Please email me if you need any suggestions or literature in your battles.

By Iive in Suwanee

July 27, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

Another Walmart is not for the interest of our community. We have already been surrounded by enough shopping places, 2 super Walmarts, Publix, Kroger, Fresh market, ASSI, Super H market, Home Depot, etc. Even super sized malls are close to us, Discover Mill, Gwinnett Place Mall, Georgia Mall. Enough is enough. Walmart should not transfer their own pressure to our communities. Actually another Walmart is against the true needs of customers who live here now and continue to move in.

By Yongjun Geng

July 27, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this

Wal-Mart is not welcomed in our community. We have enough of it, and no need for anotehr super one. It would bring all kinds of problems to the community.