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| -- | | | | Temperature: 41.0°F | Humidity: 88% | Pressure: 30.06in (Rising) | Conditions: Partly Cloudy | Wind Direction: NE | Wind Speed: 1.1mph |
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| | | MONROE |
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DAY 98
For the Monroe 19
April 12, 2011
 Walmart protest in Monroe Feb. 2011. CLICK TO ENLARGE
Walmart has said it wishes to have a “dialogue” with the community and wishes to “work with” the community in its efforts to place a 155,000 square foot store at the North Kelsey shopping area in Monroe.
THE 19 QUESTIONS FROM MONROE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WALMART HAS DECLINED TO RESPOND TO ARE AS FOLLOWS
1. Monroe’s streets are not designed to support dramatically increased traffic levels. Give two examples of similarly sized cities and how traffic related to Walmart was effectively, and at no additional cost to the city, mitigated by Walmart.
2. In other cities of a similar size, how does Wal-Mart pay for necessary upgrades so that there is no additional cost to the city for: cost and infrastructure increases due to increased water and power usage; increased health problems due to smog caused by increased vehicle traffic; charges to the local hospital’s ER for patients whose Walmart coverage is inadequate; changes to city, county and state traffic signals.
3. Recent and in-process increased capacity to 2 of the three major state-owned highways in the area (State Route 2 and Washington 522) have not been designed for this capacity increase. What communications and negotiations has Walmart conducted with the State and the County to evaluate and quantify these problems, and the costs to alleviate them?
4. Local area residents are concerned that a Monroe Wal-Mart will harm the ability of local businesses to compete, and will replace local owners, responsive to local needs and community, with the concerns of a multinational firm whose headquarters and regional offices have no connection with our community. How has Walmart addressed these concerns in communities whose values, culture and economic vitality are identical to Monroe’s?
5. Grocery stores with union employees getting union benefits go out of business when Wal-Mart undercuts them on price. What evidence does Wal-Mart have to show that overall wages and benefits would improve for Monroe residents as a direct result of Walmart compensation packages?
6. Monroe quickly organized a large group of people to oppose Walmart’s coming. If Walmart was perceived positively, one would expect an equally large and as quickly organized “pro-Walmart” group to be created. What is this group’s name – since we have seen no activity -- and who are their designated spokespersons?
7. Increased traffic on Walmart will make it much more difficult for residents north of the Chain lake / Kelsey confluence to get to Highway 2 in the event of an emergency. What information has Walmart gathered that indicate that emergency vehicles and consumer traffic will not be affected in case of an emergency?
8. Disaster response agencies and public safety agencies have a vested interest in emergency planning. Due to the increase in traffic as well as the increase in people at one location, what has Walmart done in any Oregon or Washington cities with 10 – 30,000 population to mitigate the possible negative effects of a busy store during emergencies?
9. Monroe is home to a major state prison. What experience does Walmart have with being in such proximity to such a large population of potentially dangerous individuals?
10. The purchase of the land by Sabey and rapid turnaround sale to Walmart was done with no opportunity for public discussion. In light of this, people are justifiably dubious of Walmart’s willingness to be transparent. Provide examples in either OR or WA where land a Walmart was actively sought by local residents
11. A 2007 study found that Walmart store openings reduce retail employment in a county by 2.7 percent, meaning that every Walmart worker hired at a new store effectively replaces 1.4 retail jobs In light of this, when you say Walmart will bring jobs, can you also estimate the number of jobs that will be lost due to a new Walmart?
12. Public assistance used by Walmart associates cost California about $86 million a year, according to a 2004 study. In light of this report, please explain how Walmart will ensure that the health care provided by Walmart will be adequate, given Snohomish County’s medical and economic data, to avoid additional costs to the Ste, County and/or city.
13. The lawsuit “Dukes v. Wal-Mart” has expanded to include more than 1.6 million current and former female associates, and was certified on June 21 2004 as the largest class action lawsuit ever. Given that this County respects each individual and has a strong Human Rights ordinance, what has changed in Walmart since this lawsuit was filed to assure us that women will be treated fairly in all aspects of the job?
14. Human Rights Watch wrote a story entitled “Discounting Rights: Wal-Mart’s Violation of US Workers’ Right to Freedom of Association,” and in the summary stated “Even adjusted for its size, Walmart stands out for the number of its US labor law violations”. Since this report was issued, and since Walmart no doubt is aware of it, what actions has Walmart taken in Oregon and Washington to reduce labor law violations?
15. Walmart stores often increase reports of crime. Given that Monroe’s budget already had resulted in dramatic reductions in police force size, which the Police Chief has state will likely result in some criminal activity having slower responses if any, what steps has Walmart taken in stores built since 2005 to ensure that they do not increase reports of crime for their communities? (A 2001 report states that the annual average number of reported police-call incidents per store for 551 Walmart stores was 269)
16. Do you acknowledge that when Walmart moves into a community that local businesses be negatively impacted?
17. On average, what percentage of communities challenges your intent to open up a Walmart in their area?
18. Do you have any programs in place to help local businesses understand how Walmart business will impact them and possibly offer assistance? (not asking about community grants, specific programs for small businesses in the community)
19. Do you feel that your lack of brand affinity and ‘cool factor’ compared to competitor Target, for example, is one reason that communities are resistant to your presence?
More on the origins of the questions can be found HERE
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