Wal-Mart Goes to Public Ballot
It's going to require a public vote to decide if Wal-Mart comes to Menifee or not. That was the decision by Menifee City Council this ev...
http://www.menifee247.com/2011/03/wal-mart-goes-to-public-ballot.html
It's going to require a public vote to decide if Wal-Mart comes to Menifee or not.
That was the decision by Menifee City Council this evening before a packed City Hall. Perhaps as many as a few hundred showed up to voice their opinions either in favor of, or opposed to, the retail giant coming to Menifee.
Last month, the city council decided it needed more information on the project after Wal-Mart modified its plans from the one it had originally submitted the city's Planning Commission. Tonight, the city council reviewed the additional information.
However, the council was prevented from voting against Wal-Mart. Because the retailer had gathered enough signatures last year to force a public ballot, the council could only choose between approving Wal-Mart up front, or allowing the question to go to ballot.
Several residents stepped up to the podium to voice their support of Wal-Mart, while several others voiced their opposition. There was no clear concensus from residents on how Wal-Mart might fare at the ballot.
But in the end, the city council voted to let the measure go to ballot instead of granting Wal-Mart an approval up front. Council members Fuhrman, Twyman, and Edgerton voted to go to ballot, while Denver and Kuenzi opposed, preferring to approve Wal-Mart up front.
The ballot will take place on Tuesday, June 7, 2011. Because that date is also the date of a Statewide general election, costs for running the Wal-Mart ballot measure may be as low as $30,000.00 instead of the $113,000.00 for a special election.
"Even if it costs $30,000, the odds are that it's going to win", said council member Denver. "Where is the leadership? We are wasting money. This is $30,000 that we could use elsewhere!"
Mayor Edgerton responded, "When you talk about leadership, I don't think the democratic process is a waste of money."
That was the decision by Menifee City Council this evening before a packed City Hall. Perhaps as many as a few hundred showed up to voice their opinions either in favor of, or opposed to, the retail giant coming to Menifee.
Last month, the city council decided it needed more information on the project after Wal-Mart modified its plans from the one it had originally submitted the city's Planning Commission. Tonight, the city council reviewed the additional information.
However, the council was prevented from voting against Wal-Mart. Because the retailer had gathered enough signatures last year to force a public ballot, the council could only choose between approving Wal-Mart up front, or allowing the question to go to ballot.
Several residents stepped up to the podium to voice their support of Wal-Mart, while several others voiced their opposition. There was no clear concensus from residents on how Wal-Mart might fare at the ballot.
But in the end, the city council voted to let the measure go to ballot instead of granting Wal-Mart an approval up front. Council members Fuhrman, Twyman, and Edgerton voted to go to ballot, while Denver and Kuenzi opposed, preferring to approve Wal-Mart up front.
The ballot will take place on Tuesday, June 7, 2011. Because that date is also the date of a Statewide general election, costs for running the Wal-Mart ballot measure may be as low as $30,000.00 instead of the $113,000.00 for a special election.
"Even if it costs $30,000, the odds are that it's going to win", said council member Denver. "Where is the leadership? We are wasting money. This is $30,000 that we could use elsewhere!"
Mayor Edgerton responded, "When you talk about leadership, I don't think the democratic process is a waste of money."
IF YOU WANT YOUR HOME VALUES TO DECREASE EVEN FURTHER AND CRIME TO INCREASE THEN BY ALL MEANS VOTE FOR WALMART.
ReplyDeleteI DO NOT WANT A WALMART IN MENIFEE BECAUSE THE CRIME RATES WILL GO UP. RESEARCH PROVES THIS FOLKS!
THERE IS ALREADY A WALMART JUST A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD IN MURRIETA. WE DO NOT NEED A WALMART IN MENIFEE.
So we should turn down a Walmart in Menifee, in a down economy, and see it go to another city that will reap the benifits of tax dollars paid. HUMMMM, that makes a lot of sense!
ReplyDeleteAre you absolutely out of your mind? Look at our future when Scott Road is fixed and traffic is moving as desired. Those three members on council are so short sited. Think about all of our citizens who drive to Murrieta to shop or to Perris or to Hemet. A huge amount of lost revenue for our City. Think of all the projects we could move forward on. We need Walmart. We need the tax dollars. We need the jobs.
ReplyDeleteI don't see any problem with it as long as the city uses half of the money for police to ensure the wrong element is not created. The only concern I have is will Wal-Mart be willing to use the E-verify program, and if not then they should not be allowed to build.
ReplyDeleteNo, on Walmart. I prefer Super Targets!
ReplyDeleteI live off Scott Road and I DON'T want Walmart here. It doesn't create jobs, it makes all the other businesses go out of business. You have Walmart then Target won't survive and neither will the little businesses. Not to mention the traffic. How can you not see this people, OPEN your eyes. Walmart brings in scum!! PLEASE NO WALMART!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean it will bring our home value down??? I did the research and nothing negative about housing came up. I dont know where you get your info. Temecula and Murrieta stores have not brought any value down, it actually attracts more people on the market to buy a home. Finally think about the our senior citizens, they have a much tighter budget than us working guys. Yes there is Target but it does not have low prices.
ReplyDeleteYES ON WALMART
I expect the vote to be a slam-dunk and don’t understand why the city must spend the money for the ballot measure.
ReplyDeleteI live within a stone’s throw (light stone, strong arm) of the site and have no concerns about any supposed crime that will accompany the store. I’m not aware of increased crime in the area of the Murrieta facility and don’t understand why anyone would expect it to be different here.
The argument that other WalMarts exist around us ignores the financial benefit to the city of having tax dollars flow to Menifee.
The store will help relieve the growing congestion at Newport and I-215 by providing another shopping opportunity. I can understand why the people who have an interest in Countryside Marketplace would not want the WalMart, but we consumers and voters will approve it.
“A huge amount of lost revenue for our City.”
ReplyDelete“So we should turn down a Walmart in Menifee, in a down economy, and see it go to another city that will reap the benifits of tax dollars paid”
How much revenue does Walmart bring? I keep hearing this, but I have yet to see an amount.
How much revenue does Walmart take away from existing revenues sources already in place? How much revenue does Walmart take away from our police department with extra presence needed? How much revenue does Walmart take away due to increased traffic?
Please, someone present some facts. Not just talk.
Walmart is a cheaper place to shop, many people in Menifee and surrounding places go to Walmart to get the stuff they need everyday. target is nice and all but it is too expensive. Why on earth are there two targets in the same city anyway? who cares if one goes out of business, we need choices. for the crime rates, the criminals in the city are going to be here weather or not Walmart is here, i doubt that people sit around in a group and have a discussion on how they can be more of a criminal just because of a Walmart. So get over your selves, we need a Walmart.
ReplyDeleteI would like to say this..... Although Wal-Mart would bring in jobs and money we need to look at the other cities who have already let them in their cities. Did it improve or decline the area. I asked some of my friends who live in cities with Wal-Marts in them. Is it better for you now that Wal-Mart has opened in your city?(Hemet,Murrieta,Temecula) The overwhelming response was it was a bad thing for them. Because it brought in trashy people and crime. What they all told me was that the jobs it created was minimum wage jobs. Although there is nothing wrong with minimum wage jobs, these are people who are the working poor. They are the working welfare. I found out that most of the employees working there are still on welfare. Why you ask......well because Wal-Mart keeps there cost lower than other stores because they don't give there employees raises. They keep there employees at minimum wage. They hire people from the welfare system on purpose, so they get a tax credit from the state. I say "NO" to a Wal-Mart in our area for the simple reason it brings in people on welfare. Which in a long run will cost us money not make us money.
ReplyDeleteMore jobs? what about the people that get laid off at Target or other businesses, because people want to buy cheap China crap from Walmart. Wait..... they can get a job at Walmart and get on public assistance. Good solution.
ReplyDeleteWalMart is a small business killing machine. A lot of the little shops in Sun City core area will go out of business if WalMart moves in. Go ask em what they think as shop owners.
ReplyDeleteFACT: WalMart does attract criminal elements. When going to Home Depot I see the one in Murrieta often has police searching a car or taking a police report over fraud, vandalism and other crimes. Have you ever been to the one in Hemet? I went there once after moving to Menifee and after the 2nd panhandler came up to me on my way in and out of the store I made the choice to not go back. You want this for Menifee? Really? Read the papers and/or police websites for the info, ask a cop - its true.
Menifee would be better off waiting until Scott Road is widened properly. With the new shopping center under construction at Scott and Haun, the widening of the 215 freeway about to start & the new Hospital about to open, you are going to see a world of traffic hell at the Scott Road off ramp seldom seen anywhere in a suburban town. Mark My Word folks, its true.
Add WalMart to the mix and what you will have is a WalMart no one can get to so the same people will drive to the other ones to save a headache and wasted fuel costs while sitting in traffic.
What I find funny is that some of the same people who are freaking out about a courthouse (and/or parolee center) that will be full of cops; are all good with WalMart moving into Menifee.
Where do you think Parolee's shop? Think they shop at Macy's, Bed Bath and Beyond and Henry's Marketplace??
I don't think so!
Parolees and criminals have no money because they can get hired for a good job so they shop at places like WalMart. Not everyone going to WalMart is bad, that is a fact as well, however you have a much higher level of criminal types at a discount store like that that at a more upscale place. Even if you choose to ignore that its true, it is still the truth.
I hope Menifee Residents choose to leave WalMart out of the future and focus on getting REAL tax dollar generating stuff like car dealers and specialty retail shops.
Folks - Do your research.
ReplyDeleteWalMart does not provide any Full Time jobs.
WalMart will increase traffic.
WalMart will increase crime.
WalMart will decrease your home values.
WalMart will bring in some tax revenue to the city.
The benefits do not outweigh the negative.
Go ahead and vote for your WalMart and then in a few years, look back at this post and you will be shaking your head and saying "That person was right".
Irvine, CA is the safest city in America. Irvine city council and citizens will NOT allow a WalMart to be built within the city. Humm! Think people.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WALMART
ReplyDeleteThe traffic already sucks in that area and now they want to add additional traffic and motorhomes pulling in and out of there.
I will never shop at WalMart because they treat senior citizens employees like crap. Walmart also does not hire people on a full time basis so they don't have to pay for insurance benefits. That's why they hire primarily senior citizens.
Go to Walmart watch.com and check out all the complaints.
I agree that Wal-Mart will make traffic crazy, but bringing home values down? Increasing crime rates? Come on! Wal-Mart isn't that bad. It may take some business away from the mall, but that and traffic concerns are the main concerns. I don't really care if Wal-Mart comes or not, but get the facts straight! And for the comments of selling China products, they sell the same products that Target sells.
ReplyDeleteA parolee center does not mean they will live in the area but will travel thru. Most travel from Hemet and surrounding area to Moreno Valley at this time. They take the bus or borrow a car. Lets face it they go thru the neighborhoods any way. Wal Mart is trash but we go to one on occasion for some items. I dont like Wal Mart try to avoid it at all cost but at least once a month I find myself in one might as well be one in my neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteI really dont think the crime rate would go up in Menifee because of a walmart. Why would the scum of the earth come to shop at our walmart in menifee when they all have one down the street from their own homes? There is a walmart in Temecula off highway 79 and murrieta hot springs and you dont see those places turning into the slums. I really dont know what to say. I guess we wont really know how it will play out until its here. By the way...... I dont think walmart is all that great priced anymore.
ReplyDeleteI think the traffic issue is overstated. First, the planned Scott Road bridge replacement will eliminate the congestion, and it’s scheduled to be in place shortly after the store would open. Second, if traffic truly is bad before the bridge is completed, who would be willing to make a special trip to the store and experience delays? Certainly someone who has a choice about when to shop will choose a time other than the busiest periods. Most likely, the people who do shop then will be those who are already passing the store for some reason (e.g., commuting). Those shoppers won’t increase the overall traffic. Third, the planned connection to Keller Road will provide a route that bypasses the current bridge for those who want to travel east-west on Scott Road.
ReplyDeleteAll I know is our families experience....my nephew and his wife work for Walmart and have just bought their first home, and have many benefits..they are NOT on minimum wage either.....
ReplyDeleteas far as the China complaint..really now...try to find anything that is not made overseas at any store..USA made products are few...Target has loads of Chinese and overseas made goods..as well as all the big box home stores....
as far as the criminal charge...tell that to Lindsay Lohan...she only shoplifts at high end shops.
@Anonymous 7:56PM, I don't know where you get the idea that Scott Rd bridge will be widened shortly after Wal-Mart opens. That's just plain wrong. Wal-Mart is currently planning to open Sep 2013 (2 1/2 years from now). Don Allison, the city's chief engineer said during the city council meeting that we're still another 4-5 years out from getting both funding and the actual work being done, and there's still no schedule on when the work might actually begin.
ReplyDeleteCarmen Cave, the city's planning director, said that when Wal-Mart opens, the four off and on ramps at Scott & 215 will be in total traffic failure, even with the improvements that Wal-Mart is suggesting.
Thanks Steve for reminding everyone that the improvements will not be anywhere in sight to be completed. And trying to avoid going to Walmart during busy hours is a farce unless you're willing to go there after 8PM since as I understand, it's planning to be a 24 hr store. Scott / Haan rd. will be a nightmare when you include commuters, people going to Walmart, and the other developments now in construction or in planning. By the way it's hard to be convinced that there will not be issues near a store open 24 hours...
ReplyDeleteWal-Mart coming to Menifee is a no brainer, especially if its going to go up for ballot. With gas on the rise once again people don't want to drive to Murietta to shop. Admit it folks, Menifee is growing and will only continue to grow.
ReplyDeleteTo think that traffic is not going to be an issue is an ignorant statement, witch if memory servers were the same statement made when they were building the Menifee market place. Well if you haven’t noticed Haan and Newport is a bigger nightmare then it was before.
ReplyDeleteWhy is no-one talking about the WAY Walmart wants to come to Menifee? Whether in favor of Walmart or not, surely no sensible person can agree that Walmart should be allowed to ride roughshod over the planning, traffic and other environmental requirements our City Council has put in place to protect us. And that's exactly what we're allowing Walmart to do if we vote for them in this ballot.
ReplyDeleteWhy did they abruptly pull out of discussions with the Planning Dept? There can be only one explanation: simply because they don't have to honor any of their prior commitments if they go the ballot route. So they can go ahead and ignore all their promises to be "good corporate citizens"; they can get the store open on the cheap, ignore the traffic chaos they will create, forget about paving roads, erecting traffic lights and all the other stuff that decent, caring, socially-conscious Companies do in order to show their concern for the community.
Walmart have offered no other explanation. That's because there isn't one. They won't even pay for the ballot they've caused!
What does a vote for Walmart tell all the other disreputable companies lurking around the corner who are just waiting to see the outcome of this one? Simply to do the same thing. Don't bother going to the City for approval. The residents are so stupid that they'll let you do whatever you want, however you want, without any controls or supervision. And they'll be right!
C'mon Menifee! Are we really that stupid and short-sighted??
Please NO WALMART in Menifee.
ReplyDeleteWALMART WILL INCREASE CRIME. IT IS A PROVEN FACT!
ReplyDeleteI am not going to list every website and national crime statistics here. You can research these yourself if you actually want to verify it.
This senior citizen would rather spend a little more and go to Target or small businesses here rather than buy "only made in China" at Walmart. We have enough trouble anymore finding anything made in the USA but Walmart buys exclusively from China. And I might mention we only live on Social Security in case anyone decides to accuse us of having money. NO on Walmart!
ReplyDeleteThis senior citizen/Social Security recipient says if you’re shopping at Target, you’re simply paying more for the same Chinese goods that WalMart sells! ALL stores sell goods made elsewhere and Target’s product line is similar to WalMart’s. It appears to me, though, that WalMart offers more product choices than Target.
ReplyDeleteWalMart is a tough competitor and has simply become more efficient at what it does than any other chain. I see no reason to punish its success. I say bring it here so I can benefit from its lower prices.
WalMart is a tough competitor and has simply become more efficient at what it does than any other chain. I see no reason to punish its success. I say bring it here so I can benefit from its lower prices.
ReplyDeleteThe reason WalMart appears to be more efficient is because they pay the employees less and do not provide them with benefits. My daughter worked for WalMart for a very short period of time and then went to work for Target. She was treated poorly by WalMart and not provided benefits because her hours were kept below the minimum requirement for an employer to provide benefits. When she worked for Target she was paid more and even though she did not work enough hours to be given benefits, Target provided an optional purchased health insurance plan. Because of this, she was able to work (with benefits) and still make more than she did at WalMart. She was also reimbursed for some college expenses by Target whereas WalMart would not do the same.
Take it from me, WalMart is garbage when you compare it to Target. Target carries better quality products and the food is rarely recalled. Just look up the food recalls from the FDA and you can see just how often food products get recalled from WalMart. For those seniors who purchase food from WalMart I have some serious concerns because quite a few seniors do not have computers and internet to follow up on those recalls.
WalMart does carry some products that are unique to its stores, but the majority of its wares are the exact same things found in other stores. WalMart sells them for less because it can demand better prices (due to volume) and has a more efficient distribution system.
ReplyDeleteI'm not moved by the claim that WalMart pays low wages. Apparently people are willing to work for the rates and conditions offered. It's called free market capitalism, something this fiscal conservative fully supports.
Does anyone know what is going to happen to the Albertsons on newport that closed
ReplyDeleteEverything Wal- Mart sells is made in China how is that helping Americans ?? there will be 300 jobs available and 150 of those will go to citizens not living in Menifee and that leaves 150 jobs for the Menifee citizens ,not worth it folks
ReplyDeleteFYI the news did a test to compare prices between walmart and target to determine who had the lower prices. Guess what target won. Stand up to walmart like temecula did in the ninetys. They said no to it being put across the street from kmart and murrieta received it instead. Temecula got the promenade mall. Who got the short end of the stick. They will not bring in tax money and create jobs by putting other companies out of business. They force the tax payers to foot the bill for infrastructure including their lighting and parking lots. What we need are good jobs like what the hospital is bringing not low income jobs with terrible benefits. Do a little research before voting for a company that cares nothing about Menifee residents. Target was here first when we needed a retail store and now this ghetto store wants to come in and bring with them the crime. Who really has to buy something at the store at 2 am that can't wait until morning.
ReplyDeleteAt the UFCW, we know what makes our union strong: members standing together for respect and dignity in the workplace. In the grocery industry, union contracts guarantee protections and a voice on the job. But at the company with the most grocery sales in America, Walmart, our fellow workers are not receiving the respect they deserve. In the meatpacking and food processing industries, Walmart's price pressures on suppliers can lead to downward pressure on workers' wages.
ReplyDeleteOur vision for American workers – in grocery, retail, and in our communities – is respect and dignity at jobs that pay fairly and guarantee workers a voice. This is the American Way, and it’s what made our country great. But Walmart has a different view – one where it, the employer, has all the power. Walmart creates poverty jobs: a worker earning the company-reported average full-time hourly wage working Walmart's definition of full-time would be earning below the federal poverty level for a family of four. These jobs do not strengthen our communities or our nation.
We are Making Change at Walmart. We are making change by working directly with Walmart Associates to claim the respect on the job they deserve. We are making change by holding Walmart corporate managers accountable to hourly employees and the public for their practices. We are making change by joining with community leaders in major cities across America to make sure that any new jobs offered by Walmart meet strong standards for healthy, growing communities.
WE ALL DESERVE THIS. BEFORE WE ALLOW THEM TO COME IN LET'S HOLD THEM RESPONSIBLE FOR A HIGHER STANDARD OF PAY. LETS MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A PLACE WHERE FAMILIES WANT TO LIVE. PLEASE RESEARCH WHAT WALMART DOES TO COMMUNITIES BEFORE YOU VOTE. I VOTE NO UNTIL CHANGES ARE MADE.
In today's Yahoo Headlines. TARGET is Better and Less Expensive than Wal-Mart.
ReplyDeleteSee the link - This should be updated on the main page so that everyone can see it before the vote.
http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/562/low-low-prices-target-beats-wal-mart/
Did you mention that it was a selected type of merchandise and you needed to use the Target RedCard for the prices to be lower. If you don't pay the balance right away than the prices will be alot higher!!! The RedCard gives you 5% off the total prices. State all the facts before you state anything please!!!
ReplyDeleteWe don’t have to rely on the price comparison of 30 items in the survey. Both companies have websites where the prices of things we actually want to buy are posted. The survey doesn’t deal with the fact that a large percentage of WalMart products are private brand and, thus, not sold at Target.
ReplyDeleteI like to drop off my car for routine maintenance (oil change, tire rotation, etc.) when I shop. Does Target charge less for these services?
Prescription drug prices are attractive at WalMart. Does Target offer similar savings?
You must not care about your car much, if you get your oil changed at Walmart.
ReplyDeleteWe do not need a WalMart in Menifee, when we already have three surrounding us withing 15 to 20 minutes away.
ReplyDeleteWe need more upscale stores and restaurants to attract more upscale people. Why not put in a CostCo, a Fry's, Trader Joe's, etc. There are many other choices than WalMart, that would be better for our community. Menifee Consumers for Choice is a joke.
WALLMART will destroy all sorounding small bussiness.besides we have plenty of wallmarts in perris or murrieta.also! talk to former wallmart employees,they will tell you the injustice that this retailer does to discriminate women and abuse overtime [not paying it]
ReplyDeleteSTOP WHINING! WalMart is coming! We voted for it! If you don't like it, then move!
ReplyDelete