[Winona Online Democracy] I doubt you'll ever see me defending the city administration, but in my opinion the city council people are sincere and wouldn't do anything illegal. They are guided by the city manager though and the Wal-Mart meetings fly in the face of good government.
Wal-Mart, just like other big corporate entities, follows the local market. Below was a submitted letter from another community (The web has made the Winona plight known in many regions). Winona isn't alone in its division on Wal-Mart. I do have "almost first hand" knowledge that the Wal-Mart benefit package is the envy of many - especially its health coverage. Jim G To the Editor: Mr. Talton writes: "by some estimates, 700,000 of Wal-Mart's employees have no health insurance." I wonder who his anonymous "some estimates" sources might be......... Wal-Mart says, in their published literature: "With more than one million associates nationwide, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is the fastest growing ........employer in the U. S. Both full-time (approximately 70 percent of Wal-Mart's work force) and part-time associates are eligible for benefits. These benefits include medical and dental coverage, stock ownership and retirement plans. Wal-Mart is one of only a few companies that offer health benefits to part-time employees, as well as incentive bonuses and other benefits normally reserved for full-timers." Mr. Talton writes: "(Wal-Mart) charges extremely low prices because of a workforce and sweatshop suppliers that do not have the pay and benefits that once were considered basic American values. "Fortune" magazine says: "Wal-Mart was the only discount retailer to make the "100 best to work for" list...............four of the last five years." Wal-Mart says: "More than sixty percent of our store managers were "grown" through the Wal-Mart organization, starting as store associates....." Hm-m-m-m. Doesn't exactly sound like an absence of basic American values to this reader, even though Mr. Talton certainly would like us to believe so. Wal-Mart doesn't boast about it, but many of their associates and store managers have become very wealthy through their stock ownership plan. I recognize that Mr. Talton writes an "opinion" column. However, his recent charges against Wal-Mart don't appear to be based on reality. Perhaps the "Business Section" Editor should take a closer look at the so-called "facts" Mr. Talton uses to bolster his opinions. Come to think of it, the few times he does address business issues rather than social engineering, the tenor is usually anti-business. Why is the column carried in the "Business Section?" -- David J. Kolander _______________________________________________ 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
