Letters Letters (August 27, 2004)

Don't abuse power with Wal-Mart

Editor,

If Wal-Mart is such a terrible place to work, why do so many people work there? I wish that Planning Commissioner Matt Sullivan and City Councilwoman Jennifer Hosterman would remember what determines whether a business succeeds or fails - the market. And just because government figures do not like a particular business, they should not be able to abuse their power and try to hinder it or shut it down as long as it is not causing harm to the community. I've researched past articles in the Weekly regarding Wal-Mart, and it seems to be responding positively to the requests from the Planning Commission for a facade upgrade, and has no intention of developing a superstore, so I don't see the problem.

But Hosterman and Sullivan regale us with specious arguments about the PUD, and the $32 million in healthcare (out of hundreds of millions of dollars spent in California), and Contra Costa County's definition of a superstore to show what a bad corporate citizen Wal-Mart is.

It is within the rights of Hosterman and Sullivan to organize boycotts (which I bet would be unsuccessful) of Wal-Mart, if they so desire. Or they can use private (not taxpayer) money to offer Wal-Mart a buyout. That is the proper way to make a change that you want. Do not use the power of government to abuse a business that does not fit into your narrow picture of a good corporation. Gordon SmithCamillo Court Embarrassing blight

Editor,

My husband and I read your article on the Vintage Hills shopping center and were gratified to see that Councilman Steve Brozosky has the interest of our neighborhood at heart. We have lived in the Vintage Hills area for 33 years and are extremely dismayed to see what has become of our neighborhood, including the shopping center. It is an eyesore and when I give directions to friends coming to our home I am embarrassed to know that they will be driving by such a blighted area. Pleasanton has such a great reputation as a beautifully planned community, it is too bad that those of us living in the east side of town feel that we are in a neglected area.

As for putting high density housing on the site, I would like to point out that Vineyard Avenue already has a great amount of high density homes and apartments. Those of us living in the area were more than happy to see the establishment of a shopping center in the Vintage Hills neighborhood as there was and still is nothing in our area and many of us do our best to patronize the two remaining businesses. The City Council has been able to accomplish a great deal for Pleasanton in the last few years. Please put your heads together and find a solution for the shopping center and thank you, Steve, for standing by the Vintage Hills Community. Maureen & Dennis LaurenceEwing Drive 'Shock and gnaw'

Editor,

While NASA is fascinating us with advanced scientific transportation, I wish they would take a lookie down at I-580 East and West. The freeways are dangerous and overly harsh to our vehicles, which we must rely on for day-to-day destinations. It's like we're lagging onto an idea that's already been abandoned. The upkeep of these thoroughfares would cost one iota of the space program's budget. Clearing paths is central to Man's journey, but so should minimizing the damage be congruent with maintaining the standards we set in place as well as in motion. Madeline KittPleasanton

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