Hold town hall meeting on Wal-Mart Published
02/08/2008 - 1:00 a.m. PDT
In an interview in this newspaper several weeks ago, Oakley’s new mayor,
Bruce Connelley, said the following regarding Wal-Mart’s application to open a
super center in the River Oaks Crossing shopping center, which is planned for
the Cline vineyards property on Main Street between Bridgehead and Big Break
roads: Click here for rest of story
“I don’t know if there is anything we could do about it, whether I want it or
not. And as far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t matter what I want. What matters in
this case is what the citizens of Oakley want. That’s more important than
whether I want it or not.
“I want to have open discussions on it. There’s things I’ve caught being said
both pro and con that are not true. I think we ought to have a public forum, and
I’m sure we will.”
We applaud Connelley’s desire to gain residents’ input, his interest in
holding a public forum on Wal-Mart and his belief that when it comes to a
controversial proposal like Wal-Mart opening up in Oakley, what matters most is
what Oakley residents want.
At this point, it’s hard to know for sure what residents want. We’ve received
and published numerous thoughtful, passionate letters to the editor in the past
half year, both pro and con.
In the unscientific poll on our Web site, in which more than 1,000 votes have
been cast, the participants have split fairly evenly on the question “Should
Wal-Mart be allowed to locate in Oakley?” Forty-seven percent selected “Yes,
Oakley needs more shopping options and the tax revenue,” 43 percent selected
“No, Oakley can do a lot better than Wal-Mart,” and 10 percent selected “It’s
not a big deal whether there’s a Wal-Mart in Oakley or not.”
The Wal-Mart issue will be discussed and voted on at public hearings before
the Planning Commission and City Council in the next few months. In advance of
those meetings, however, it would be good for city officials to hold a town
meeting.
The purpose would be not only to gain residents’ input but to correct
misinformation that Connelley has heard pro and con on the proposal. The meeting
would also clarify whether the city actually has the ability to deny Wal-Mart’s
application and whether any legal liability could occur were it denied.
We recommend that the meeting be held this month and that it be well
publicized in advance through the media, the city’s Web site and the electronic
billboard at Civic Center Plaza. Speaking of which, the billboard has been in
place for more than a month but so far has not been in operation, a problem that
we hope will be rectified soon.
In The News
On the surface it seems like a great idea that WalMart is interested in
Oakley. We have no large box stores. The city seems to have missed out on
all the growth that has gone to Brentwood and Antioch. We badly need the
tax revenue.
This all sounds great, doesn't it?
Except that if you take a moment and do some due diligence as to the impact
a WalMart makes on a community you will most likely agree that it is
something we do not need in our city. The problems are most likely worse
than the supposed "fix".
My family and I moved to Oakley about 5 years ago. We had lived in Concord
and wanted a more rural feel, so we moved our business to Main Street and
are now going into our third year.
I think many people here like the "rural" feel and we can all find dozens of
shopping opportunities within a 5-mile radius, including a WalMart which is
about 3 miles away.
I attended the recent SAVE OAKLEY NOW meeting and was given the proposed map
of the new shopping center and area around it. The first thing to be
noticed are the three additional stop lights to be installed along Main
Street from Neroly Road to the Raley's center. This means that where we now
have two lights from Neroly to Raley's, there will be five. All of us have
sat at the Neroly interchange. When the new lights are added, you will sit
there a lot longer. In addition, the road will be widened and then narrowed
back to two lanes. We all know about Highway 4 and what happens when it
narrows.
I have learned that EVERY city in Contra Costa County has either turned down
WalMart or stopped the growth of the existing ones. Have they learned
something we don't know about? In addition, Marin County will not allow ANY
WalMarts and won't even discuss it.
Could it be because WalMart destroys the local businesses? Most research
shows this to be the
case. In fact, the cost of having a WalMart can actually cost the city so
much in both increased police, sewage, and infrastructure that, coupled
with job losses and companies being put our of business in the surrounding
area, there is no net gain on the supposed tax revenue. WalMart can
actually end up COSTING the city money to be here.
Our company has done work with the city in the recent year. We installed
all the audio video equipment for the new city hall. The council members
and the city personnel are all great people to work with. I am wondering,
however, if they have gone so far down this path of bringing in WalMart that
they feel as though they cannot stop it in fear of ridicule. The city has
spent money and if WalMart does not build here they may feel as though the
money was wasted. It is not too late to stop this and do something
different.
I have heard that if WalMart comes, Raley's, Centro Mart, Rite Aide, KMART,
and many others will be in jeopardy. Chances are that they will all have to
close down. With no anchor tenants in those centers the remaining
businesses there will suffer greatly. All of the owners have worked hard to
promote their businesses over the years, and most have a good following of
loyal customers. Where will the employees who lose their jobs find work?
We all know about WalMart's pay scales and big benefits!
So, if I understand correctly, we get to look forward to more traffic,
congestion, an increase in crime, more police, most likely a cost to the
city for having a WalMart, lost jobs, deserted shopping centers, maybe 200
very low paying jobs, lousy benefits for the workers. This is definitely
what I don't want!
The city wants to revitalize the downtown area. As a business owner
downtown, I am all for this, but who will shop there with big box stores at
the other end of town? What business would want to spend money and open up
a shop with the huge competition just two miles away?
I also would ask the question: what is wrong with being a rural small
town? We cannot compete with Brentwood so why bother? Perhaps we should be
trying to bring in some other types of business. How about some software or
more upscale types of business (like in Silicon Valley). Why do we want to
migrate towards cheap, cheap products, cheap wages, cheap cheap cheap. I
doubt that cheap will bring other business in other than more of the same.
Do we want to be known the place for cheap stuff? How about an ice
skating/sports complex; a performing arts center; technology center?
Bruce Connelly has indicated we can have a Town Hall meeting in regards to
this issue. I have yet to see a date for this. I think it should be sooner
than later. From the petitions signed so far it appears that a majority of
Oakley residents do not want WalMart. I am hoping we still live in a
community that is run by the people and their desires and not the wishes of
a few.
In the next week or so we will have petitions at our office on Main
Street for those who wish to express their opinion on this matter. Our
company is Scheer Home Systems, 3460 Main Street.
Doug Scheer
Group stands up to Wal-Mart - By Paula King
STAFF WRITER
A community group opposed to Wal-Mart has gathered 1,000 signatures and
counting from Oakley residents against a supercenter proposal.
Click here to view full story
We can do better than Wal-Mart
Published 08/03/2007 - 11:22 a.m. PDT
Editor:
I have never written a letter to the editor
before, but I felt I must concur with Jennifer
Pierce and her disappointment in the possibility of
Wal-Mart coming to Oakley (see “Why stoop to
Wal-Mart?” in the July 27 issue). Stooping to the
lowest common denominator was just how I felt when I
read the news.
The Oakley City Council has done an admirable job
in making decisions for our town, but this decision
hurts. Yes, Oakley missed out on Trader Joe’s and
Pete’s Coffee, but there must be some other
environmentally- and employee-friendly stores that
would be interested in coming to our town. Please
keep up the search.
Julie Perry Oakley
July 27, 2007
Wal-Mart is not the answer
Editor:
Wal-Mart is definitely not good for this city.
Our first clue should be that Antioch will not let
it expand.
I have only been to the Antioch Wal-Mart once. At
that time, when I approached the front door, an
illegal activity was taking place. That did it for
me. Never again!
Why did you not speak with more Oakley residents?
Are people employed by Wal-Mart going to speak ill
of their bread and butter? The Wal-Mart
representative spoke of special interests keeping
them out. Is this not the same company that
underwrote the campaign for an Antioch City Council
candidate who was defeated when the voters were
apprised of the situation?
Our mayor and council talk about big box moving
to our town to help with the infrastructure, yet we
still do not have the Safeway promised some five
years ago on Laurel. Is that because the procedures
and requirements of this city are so cost
prohibitive?
Our City Council does not support the businesses
that we currently have (M&K comes to mind); it puts
obstacles and cost-prohibitive fees to discourage
small business from the area.
If our procedures and costs were more streamlined
and less time consuming, maybe we could attract more
good businesses. We do not need Wal-Mart.
Our City Council and mayor need to listen to the
people of this town. Wal-Mart is not the answer. We
need businesses that attract people, not detract
from our town.
Priscilla Ladeira Oakley
Wal-Mart plans store in Oakley
Ruth Roberts Published 07/20/2007 - 11:41 a.m. PDT
Rate This Article: 1
Wal-Mart has submitted an application to build a
supercenter, like the one at left, on Main Street
between Bridgehead Road and the BNSF Railroad line.
Wal-Mart, the most successful and most
controversial retail chain in U.S. history, has
submitted an application to the city of Oakley for
the development of a supercenter.
The mega-retailer would be one of three anchor
tenants in River Oaks Crossing, a 76-acre retail
project along the Cline vineyard property on the
north side of Main Street between Bridgehead and Big
Break roads.
Wal-Mart has proposed building a
220,012-square-foot store that would include a
garden center along with groceries and general
merchandise.
With an estimated $150 million spent by Oakley
residents each year in neighboring cities, the
opportunity to recapture some of those taxable sales
dollars is irresistible, said Oakley Economic
Development Director Barbara Mason.
“This project has the potential to double the
generation of our current taxable sales, which is
approximately one million dollars annually,” said
Mason. “This is just the kind of big box retailer
Oakley needs. We want to bring our dollars back to,
and keep them in, Oakley. Every town needs to have
basic goods and services, and nothing else will come
here until we have that in place.”
But some local residents feel that the existing
Wal-Mart in Williamson Ranch Plaza on Lone Tree Way
in Antioch is more than enough Wal-Marts for this
area.
“I do not want Wal-Mart here in town because
Wal-Mart brings crime and extra traffic to towns,”
said Bob Caughron. “Wal-Mart has a history of
closing down grocery stores and other stores, and we
don’t need to lose small businesses here. We can
handle going to Antioch to buy our big purchases and
leave our town without a big box. We don’t need any
of it.”
But others can’t wait for the retailer to set up
shop here.
“I think Wal-Mart coming to town is a great
idea,” said Joe Devera, who works at the Antioch
Wal-Mart. “People say they’re not a good company to
work for, but they are. Both my wife and I have
benefits and a good paycheck. It would do the town
good to have them here.”
Kevin Loscotoff, senior manager of public affairs
for Wal-Mart, said his company offers a win-win for
everyone. “We’re very excited about this opportunity
here in Oakley,” he said. “We know already there are
thousands of customers shopping in our stores in
Antioch, Pittsburg and Martinez. We have heard loud
and clear that they want to shop closer to home. The
reception has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Despite a rejection by the Antioch City Council
of Wal-Mart’s request to expand its Lone Tree Way
store to a 24-hour operation with groceries,
Loscotoff said the project is still very much alive
alive.
“That application is still pending, and we are
still actively pursuing the expansion,” he said. “Of
course, there are special interest groups out there
that have participated in the process in Antioch and
Concord, too.
“But we know that Wal-Mart brings great value to
communities in more than one way. The dollars
generated help fund vital city services like police
and parks. We expect we can help bring those things
to Oakley.”
An Oakley Wal-Mart store would generate about 450
local jobs with full benefit packages, according to
Loscotoff.
“Our retail positions pay $10.77 an hour;
however, it would be slightly higher here in the Bay
Area,” said Loscotoff. “And with those jobs come
full health and dental coverage, 401k’s and profit
sharing. That is for full and part time. We know we
can have a positive impact on Oakley.”
Mayor Kevin Romick said he is upbeat about the
proposal, but he’s also adopted a bit of a
wait-and-see approach to the overall project.
“I’m glad the process has begun and I’m looking
forward to finding out more about it,” said Romick.
“We will be working very closely with them to
address a number of issues and items to make sure
Oakley’s best interests are represented.”
The project is not expected to come before the
Planning Commission until December, according to
Rebecca Willis, community development director. If
approved, the store is expected to open by the fall
of 2008. Wal-Mart plans store in Oakley
Fri, 20 Jul 2007
The cities of Concord, and Antioch, put their
citizens first and blocked Wal-Mart in Concord, and
the expansion of the Antioch Wal-Mart. The city of
Oakley needs to get a back bone and some balls, and
realize that Wal-Mart is like garbage, it will
attract flies, along with crime. It will destroy so
many businesses, I guess the City of Oakley, doesn't
care about those lives at all. Wake up and look at
the whole picture, before you suck the life out of
Oakley and the already existing businesses. You need
to draw companies that will draw people to Oakley,
not having them run for their lives. If you allow
Wal-Mart to come in, do not let them put in a Super
store with groceries store. Do not let them have a
24 hour store either. The crime will increase and
not give Oakley a good name either. Is the City of
Oakley willing to risk all that just so that
Wal-Mart can come in ? There will be a price the
City and the citizens of Oakley will end up paying
if they allow big box in their town. Last question :
Is the City of Oakley on Wal-Mart's payroll?
Sandra Baltzell
At 08:58 AM 7/16/2007, wrote to city council:
I have lived in Oakley for 21 years. I moved here
because Oakley was a small town by the water. You
and the rest of the council are changing the small
town atmosphere. Some of the things that are being
done are great up to know. But the one thing that is
bad is the move to bring Wal-Mart to this town.
Wal-Mart has been known to increase the crime rate
in towns that they are in. Have all of you, council
members, considered that the harbors will have
homeless people and the boats will be damaged and
ransacked. The Wal-Mart stores bring in
undesirables, the parking lots are used by campers,
and even homeless. Wal-Mart will increase the
traffic on Main Street and in the near by
neighborhoods. The bypass will not help this
problem. The city of Oakley will have to hire more
policemen to handle the increase in traffic and
crime. Wal-Mart has been known to close 2 – 3
grocery stores down in a 5-mile radius. This has
been proven across the nation. That also means a lot
of our small businesses will close down, because
they can not compete with a Wal-Mart store. This
will create a lot of empty buildings. There goes the
small town atmosphere that everyone wants, that’s
why we all moved here. So if you want to really mess
up our town then continue to run this town the way
you are doing. Or you can use you heads and make
this town grow smartly. I am not the only one that
feels this way. SAVE OAKLEY NOW
Thank you
Bob Caughron
Why stoop to Wal-Mart?
Editor:
After weeks of reading that a Wal-Mart superstore
may anchor in Oakley I felt the need to submit my
two bits. First off, why does Oakley want to stoop
to the lowest common dominator?
Previous example: when Freedom High School was to
open, I inquired about which AP classes were to be
offered. I was told that the school preferred
classes geared toward service jobs because many (of
its) students were not on a college track.
Based on that theory, I must assume the
same-minded people are still thinking that Oakley,
the blue-collar community, needs a Wal-Mart. We will
put a stain on that collar if we invite them in –
are we giving them an incentive? If so, why? Every
other community has rejected them – are we going
that low?
Have the city officials ever entertained the idea
of an outlet mall – there are none in the area –
they are always busy and clean. Our quality grocery
stores will stay and maybe Safeway will even build
on that site by Laurel Fields.
For the record, I went into one of these Wal-Mart
superstores when I was visiting my cousin – it was
hands-down the worst excuse for a grocery store that
I have ever seen. I inquired about going to another
grocery store – she said there were none – they all
closed after the Wal-Mart superstore opened.
You reap what you sow.
Jennifer Pierce Oakley
Oakley Letters to the Editor
Press Correspondent Published 06/29/2007 - 12:11
p.m. PDT
Wal-Mart is bad for Oakley
Editor:
I am against the idea that we need a Wal-Mart in
our town. The reasons are that Wal-Mart brings in
criminals, Section 8, traffic, pollution (air,
noise, litter, etc.) and empty buildings from small
businesses closing.
If we want to keep Oakley as small-town Oakley,
then we have to use our heads. Smart growth is the
way to go; not by being stupid and thinking that we
have to try to be like every other town will work
for us.
Then all we need to do is have empty buildings,
more Section 8s and even why not a ghetto? Our
police will not be able to control the traffic and
crime; we will be out of control.
Wal-Mart will cause our small businesses to close
because they cannot compete. This will create more
empty buildings. Wal-Mart told the city that Oakley
will get tax revenue from the sales. My question is:
how do you get tax revenue from groceries?
(Groceries are not taxable.) No tax revenue.
Wal-Mart moves out, leaving another empty building.
It is proven across the U.S. that two to three
grocery stores close down in a 5-mile radius due to
loss of sales, which will mean that clerks will lose
their jobs (union and non-union), which will
increase unemployment.
Besides the taxpayers paying for the benefits for
Wal-Mart employees, the taxpayers will now have to
support the unemployed clerks (benefits), including
welfare, food stamps and medical care.
Wal-Mart is bad for the city of Oakley, so tell
Wal-Mart to stay out.
Bob Caughron
June 22, 2007
We don’t need Wal-Mart
Editor:
My opinion is that Oakley has plenty of different
kinds of stores around. So we do not need other
stores, especially stores like Wal-Mart.
I know one thing for sure, that food has to be
sold separately from bedding, pillows and clothes,
in order to keep them clean.
I also think that environmentally clean
manufacturing may help Oakley’s budget grow. For
instance, quilting may help. A lot of women make
quilts and blankets for their families. That could
become a business.
If people can afford two or three cars per
household, then they will definitely be able to find
some money to pay off a quilt for their bedroom.
Olena Steed
If people can afford two or three cars per
household, then they will definitely be able to find
some money to pay off a quilt for their bedroom.
Olena Steed
June 20, 2007
I am against the idea that we need a Wal-Mart in our
town. The reasons are that Wal-Mart brings in
criminals, section 8, traffic, pollution (air,
noise, letter, etc), empty buildings from small
businesses closing. If we want to keep Oakley as
small town Oakley, then we have to use our heads.
Smart growth is the way to go, not by being stupid
and thinking that we have to try to be like every
other town will work for us. Then all we need to do
is have empty buildings, more section 8s, and even
why not a ghetto. Our police will not be able to
control the traffic and crime, we well be out of
control.
Wal-Mart will cause our small businesses to close
because they can no compete. This will create more
empty buildings. Wal-Mart told the city that Oakley
will get tax revenue from the sells. My question is
how do you get tax revenue from groceries (groceries
are not taxable). No tax revenue, Wal-Mart moves out
leaving another empty building.
It is proven across the U.S. that 2 to 3 grocery
stores close down in a 5 mile radius due to loss of
sales. Which will mean that clerks will lose their
jobs (union and non-union), which well increase
unemployment. Besides the taxes payers paying for
the benefits for Wal-Mart employees, the tax payers
will now have to support the unemployed clerks
(benefits), including welfare, food stamps, and
medical care.
Wal-Mart is bad for the city of Oakley, so
tell Wal-Mart to stay out.
Bob Caughron,concerned.
