Saranac Lake Board stops Walmart

[johnstp]

Personally, I live in Jay and I would've preferred to drive thru to Saranac Lake's WalMart than up to Plattsburgh's. And while I was there, I probably would have stopped at Blue Line for my fishing supplies (instead of Gander Mtn), and ADK Lakes and Trails for my canoeing accessories (instead of Dicks). I'd probably go to Fact & Fiction for my books (instead of Borders), too.

But, I'm only going in one direction or the other. Not both. And since SL doesn't want WalMart, I can only assume that means they don't want the ancillary business it brings to other merchants, as well.

So, I have a vested interest in Saranac Lake, and (more to the point) Saranac Lake merchants should have a vested interest in me.

[redhawk]

I think the debate is really only applicable to those it affects... the people of Saranac Lake and the 3 townships around it (N. Elba, Harrietstown and St. Armand). It's funny that people from around the state and country care so much about what goes on in Adk. towns.

I care when anyone makes statements about someone or something that are just not true, as is the case against "Big, bad, Walmart". (as the opponents would have you believe)

And if people from that region post their views here, or anywhere, the readership or members have all the right in the world to offer their opinion about it.

Now, as far as actually voting for or against it, you are perfectly right, only the people affected should have a right to do that.

However I think their interests are best served by hearing everyones opinion on it, especially those who don't have a vested, and therfore biased interest in it.

[Ned Kipperson]

I think the debate is really only applicable to those it affects... the people of Saranac Lake and the 3 townships around it (N. Elba, Harrietstown and St. Armand). It's funny that people from around the state and country care so much about what goes on in Adk. towns.

[Keithk]

SL has been in a downward spiral for at least 10 years, and this vote just seems like cutting off your nose to spite your face.

I have to strongly disagree here. Show me a place in the ADK's with a stronger economy than the LP-SL region. Yes, there have been some challenges, like the AMA cutbacks a few years ago, but overall this is NOT an area with a failing economy.

Look at main streets in SL and LP. They are not lined with vacant store fronts; NUMEROUS new businesses have gone in during the past few years, including some sizable ones like the SEARS in downtown SL.

Auto-Zone, Sears, the new movie rental chain, the new dollar store, there are a lot of new businesses in the area. Add in the large scale, perminant employers, (the state police Barracks, the DEC and APA, the prison, Trudeau labs) and you get an even better picture of how things are. Many of the older businesses (Kinney's, even Abauchan's if you want to go back a little farther) have expanded into new, bigger buildings. If you go back a decade or two, I think that the economy is much stronger than it was then.

While I'm not claiming that the economy is booming, I think it's a misrepresentation to say it's in a downward spiral.

[johnstp]

I have never heard anyone from the village deny that the town needs some type of department store for people to do their basic shopping at. However, this doesn't mean they have to support Walmart. Take Hacketts up in Pdam for example, or even the Giant Tiger (yes, that is actually the name of a store ). It's not a question of "Walmart or nothing," and if it were, we'd all be in a load of trouble, because the whole monopoly thing didn't work out so well in the past.

The problem is, none of these other stores want to come into SL. Probably because the local economy won't support stores like these with a far more limited inventory.

SL has been in a downward spiral for at least 10 years, and this vote just seems like cutting off your nose to spite your face.

[scooch]

nah...ya didn't....however, because i had not yet read the article where your info came from...I was thinking probably exactly the same thing that you were...("can't this guy read"? lolol

I agree with you about the all or nothing mentality....I personally love Walmart, but I also live in a much larger community. Before Tom Michael cast his vote I remember him saying (and I think he was sincere), that he wanted more research done before making a big decision like Walmart...and also said that not only does Saranac Lake need a store, but should be afforded more of a choice when it comes to buying...I think he was thinking more than one.

[Keithk]

heh

so true...so true....

SORRY KEITH...I had not read as far as you had....I had only read that Tom Michael had said that while Walmart had been prevented form building at the sad pit, they had not been Pushed out of the community all together.....not challenging you....just didn't get as far as you had.....(walmart spokesperson said that they had effectively been prevented from building in SL). (i guess it takes someof us longer than others...lol)

no worries, sorry if I sounded like a jerk, heh

[Keithk]

I posted this on a similar thread and I'll post it again -

The next time SL'ers complain about lack of jobs, lack of affordable shopping, lack of traffic stopping and shopping and high taxes, they can remember they voted the board in.

It isn't as simple as "let a giant Walmart come in, or you never get to complain about shopping and taxes again."

I have never heard anyone from the village deny that the town needs some type of department store for people to do their basic shopping at. However, this doesn't mean they have to support Walmart. Take Hacketts up in Pdam for example, or even the Giant Tiger (yes, that is actually the name of a store ). It's not a question of "Walmart or nothing," and if it were, we'd all be in a load of trouble, because the whole monopoly thing didn't work out so well in the past.

[scooch]

so true...so true....

SORRY KEITH...I had not read as far as you had....I had only read that Tom Michael had said that while Walmart had been prevented form building at the sad pit, they had not been Pushed out of the community all together.....not challenging you....just didn't get as far as you had.....(walmart spokesperson said that they had effectively been prevented from building in SL). (i guess it takes someof us longer than others...lol)

[johnstp]

I posted this on a similar thread and I'll post it again -

The next time SL'ers complain about lack of jobs, lack of affordable shopping, lack of traffic stopping and shopping and high taxes, they can remember they voted the board in.

[scooch]

I guess I should rephrase my initial question regarding whether or not Walmart could locate in a different part of town.....

I know that the sand-pit was the only viable locationfor a super-center, but Walmart has smaller stores and was wondering if they may try getting in that way.

[redhawk]

Just reading some of the Wamart Rant, especially the big bad corporation being Anti_Union and therefore I guess a menace to society.

On a couple of occasions i have worked at jobs that i wasperfectly happy at and was making a fair wage that were "unionized" (and no I was not managament).

In both instances the union did more harm then good. My own opinion based on the people who worked to get the union in was that most were a bunch of lazy, irresponsible people who spent most of their time at work trying to find ways to goof off and bitching in general.

In both cases, the employers ended up shutting down the businesses after a few months and moved elsewhere, therefore denying people who were content with the job and making a living, out in the cold.

I have first hand experience with unions, as well as "the poor exploited wal mart workers" and with living on one occassion in a town that became "Walmarted"

My experience wiith Unions is absolutely negative, not only would I not join a union, I would work fanatically against one being formed in a place I was employed.

My relatives who work for Walmart, many without higher education, some who have made management level and are making a living that lets them be "comfortable" are evidently blind to being taken advantage of. Guess they're too stupid to realize it. I also know a few "Lazy indians" (according to the White communites they live in) who are also happy to be eble to support their families and who incidently have medical benefits.

I am also curious as to how much of these stories about Walmart are either based on personal experience ot the experiences of others that you know. Or is it all just part of listening to the propoganda of the Anti Walmart lobby?

Here's the bottom line on much of what I see. A lot of towns need an economic boost, but they want it on their own terms which is often not realistic considering the changes that technology and "progress' have brought.

It's like asking for job, and expecting the employer to build his business around your needs and paying you at the same time. Come to think of it, I had a lot of people like that who wanted jobs in my restaurants, and it got worse and worse as time went on.

I'm curious, can anyone point specific towns and document absolutely that Wal-Mart ruined it?

The other thing people have to realize is that as we lean towards a "Global Economy" (which personally am opposed too as a "little guy"), Mom and Pop stores often cannot compete, it's not Walmarts fault.

Oddly enough it often seems likes it's the "Red, White and Blue, Mom and Apple Pie Good Ol Patriotic, USA loving Americans that oppose Wal-mart. Yet this country is based on capitalism and success stories.

I also know of several "disadvantaged" people who worked for Wal Mart, and besides supporting themselves were able to save money, go to college, get successful careers and are living the American Dream.

Thanks to a job at Wal-mart and a willingness to work at achieving their goals.

What I think everyone neds to ask themselves is if Wal Mart is such a bad employer, why so many people are willing to work there? HMMMM

[Keithk]

nope

Am I correct in that simly because Walmart was prevented from building on the out skirts of town, does not mean that they cannot focus efforts on "down-town" Saranac Lake? I believe I read that they can build multiple, smaller stores....

If you read the article, the Walmart spokesperson says this was the only viable location in Saranac Lake, and the board's decision effectively blocks them out of the town.

[Wldrns]

WNBZ radio generally has good coverage of local Saranac Lake issues. You can read a daily archive such as this one online.

[scooch]

Am I correct in that simly because Walmart was prevented from building on the out skirts of town, does not mean that they cannot focus efforts on "down-town" Saranac Lake? I believe I read that they can build multiple, smaller stores....