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“Pro Wal-Mart pulls ahead with $150K from retailer.” This headline, in the Tribune on Oct. 11, might have been written as “Biggest company in world tries to buy local election.”
Wal-Mart donated $150,000 to stop D-08, the Atascadero Shield Initiative. And our Chamber of Commerce has the audacity to accept $2,000 for a “business showcase” mixer.
A Yes vote on Measure D-08, would enforce the size limitation on the proposed Atascadero Wal-Mart. What is the size limitation Wal-Mart is so afraid of? It is being allowed up to 150,000 square feet, bigger than the huge Costco in SLO. It would be the biggest single store in SLO County.
A yes on Measure D-08 also stipulates Wal-Mart cannot have more than five percent of its store in groceries, roughly as much footage as Paso’s Target has.
Why does Wal-Mart want a superstore in Atascadero? Because Paso Robles won’t let them build one in the existing Wal-Mart there. A limit of 150,000 square feet is a reasonable size.
Vote yes on Measure D-08, and protect our town from corporate bullies.