[Winona Online Democracy] Paul,
Your point about naming the ten largest retailers that are locally owned is valid to a certain degree; Shopko, Target, K-Mart and the like are not exactly Mom and Pop shops. But would you agree that Wal Mart represents a whole other kind of business? Their goal is to wipe out competition, not to encourage it. Aren't we talking about a monopoly or trust that dwarfs the robber barons of the late 1800's and early 1900's? This is NOT about eliminating normal and healthy business competition. On the contrary, this about protecting normal and healthy business competition. Wal Mart is not about competition, it's about total market domination. For example, you did not see the local merchants put up this kind of effort when other businesses came to town. Like Jamie Groth said in an earlier post, Wal Mart is a different kind of animal. I hope people can begin to see those big differences. ----- On another note, a petition is being started for people who are opposed or concerned about the proposed Wal Mart. If you would like to sign it, for now you can stop by the Winona Mall office and ask for Sondra Mogren. Or let me know and I'll get you a copy to sign. If you would like to be added to an e-mail list to hear more about Wal Mart concerns, please let me know. The list doesn't exist yet but it may be up and running in a few days. If you know of people who are concerned about this, please pass on this information and send them my way. There will be many things they can do to help. For example, if you would like to donate money, checks can be made out to, "Winona First Coalition" and mailed to John Edstrom at the Winona Post. (Yes, for the record, there are some unusual partners in this developing coalition.) :-> Dwayne Voegeli ================ >From: "Paul Double" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: "On Line Democracy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: FW: [Winona] Wal-Mart > >[Winona Online Democracy] > >Can anyone name ten "retail stores" in Winona "owned by local people" and >are not national or regional franchises who are threatened by Wal-Mart >competition because they sell the same products? > >Paul ------------ Dwayne Voegeli Winona County Commissioner, District #2 (507) 453-9012 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 870 44th Ave. Winona, MN 55987 ------------ _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
