“It appears if Wetaskiwin were to actually grow, these few wealthy individuals would lose their stronghold …”

by City of Wetaskiwin on Jul 27, 2009 • 10:59 am 44 Comments

I have lived in and around Wetaskiwin for over 40 years. I know what the population was 30 years ago and what it is now and it is a far cry from growth or a City in Motion. The problem is, we have a handful of people in Wetaskiwin, that have a monopoly on land around Wetaskiwin and a strong influence on City Council. They want outrageous prices for rent which drives any retail business out of town.

It appears if Wetaskiwin were to actually grow, these few wealthy individuals would lose their stronghold on Wetaskiwin and it is doing nothing for this town and I say town, because I have seen smaller towns that are growing faster and are more attracting than this place. I know personally, businesses that have been driven out of Wetaskiwin, because ridiculous politics and a lack of concern for Wetaskiwin’s growth.

I understand from talking with people that Wetaskiwin was to get a new and needed large Extra Foods store, to be built over by Wal-mart. Again this was shot down due to a ridiculous amount of money requested for rent by one of the few strongholds of Wetaskiwin. Just a prime example of why Wetaskiwin doesn’t grow, yet our neighbors to the south(Ponoka) have one. Good on them, they have some of my money and will get more until Wetaskiwin gets with the status quo.

Because of an extreme lack of retail business, this town loses way to much of the money that could be spent in Wetaskiwin’s to other cities like Leduc, Camrose and even Edmonton. There is no reason why Wetaskiwin doesn’t have a Superstore, Staples or other big box stores, except for the availability of land at a reasonable cost. The people that own the land want to gouge for rent prices which turns people away from wanting to build their business here.

Lacombe and Ponoka are a good example of places in Motion and they will far exceed Wetaskiwin in the near future, because they are taking the steps needed to bring in and attract businesses, which in turn keep the local monies local instead of driving elsewhere to spend, which is what happens in Wetaskiwin. I am not sure why Wetaskiwin City Council is so blind to this.

I have watched as Pioneer days becomes less and less of an attraction as others like Millet Days, Leduc Black Gold, Ponoka Stampede grow and take away income from Wetaskiwin even though they are on different weekends. It is because those other towns/cities make it an attractive event and have allot of things for people to do at them. People will save and spend their money at other places because of a lack of attractions in Wetaskiwin.

As a parent and coach of Wetaskiwn Soccer, I was shocked when I heard that there was nothing we could do because of bylaws to eradicate and severe problem with gophers in and around Wetaskiwin and on the soccer fields. It is an embarrassment to Wetaskiwin when other teams come here and have to play on fields riddled with gopher holes and dandelions. I guess when one of the kids sustains a broken ankle or leg because of this and sues the City of Wetaskiwin, they can pay fork out an extreme amount of money for the lawsuit instead of a fraction of the price to take care of the problem before a young child gets injured.

I continue to hope and pray that the people that are entrusted to run the city in a positive way and in a way that would see growth, would soon open their eyes to what is truly needed for this to happen. Until then I will continue to spend my money in other places that have the retail stores and attractions that Wetaskiwin continues to lack after 30 years in limbo.

This is just my opinion as to why Wetaskiwin isn’t growing like other smaller places or other cities that have grown at far greater paces in an extremely lesser amount of time. They listen to the people and take the steps to implement the people’s needs. Time for Wetaskiwin to step up to the plate.

– submitted on www.wetaskiwintomorrow.ca

Be Sociable, Share!

44 comments

bear river insurance agents says:

Nov 29, 1999

You actually make it seem so easy along with your presentation but I to find this matter to be really one thing that I feel I might by no means understand. It kind of feels too complex and extremely large for me. I am having a look forward to your subsequent post, I’ll attempt to get the grasp of it!

wetaskiwintmrw says:

Jul 27, 2009

Lots of room for discussion here, but just to clear up some misconceptions about the Extra-Foods store, here's what an official from City Hall had to say:

"Extra Foods is part of the Loblaws company, who are on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Their decisions are made in Toronto by a board of directors. Extra Foods purchased 7.05 acres in 2005 just north of Walmart and was granted development permits to build a new grocery store, a liquor store and gas bas on the land. It was not protested by any one. Building permits were issued and paid for. They still own the 7.05 acres and still have permission to build.

For reasons beyond the control of anyone in the City of Wetaskiwin, Loblaws stocks started falling on the Toronto Stock Exchange in 2005. They dropped from $81 per share at time of purchase of the land to $26 per share. With this the board of directors for the $3.6 billion dollar corporation to choose not to proceed with many projects including the Wetaskiwin project.

City Council members and staff met with them many times pleading them to proceed. Loblaws do not have the capital to do so.

Loblaws in 2005 was planning to build a 64,000 sq ft. store. "

Paris Engram says:

Jul 27, 2009

Anyone know if Council has asked if there is a way Wetaskiwin can buy back the land? I know it's unconventional, but at least they wouldn't be monopolizing developable land.

wetaskiwintmrw says:

Jul 31, 2009

I would imagine the cost might be prohibitive; and there might be other land available still?

Eyes Wide Open says:

Jul 27, 2009

A local group of businesses has banded together to create a group to promote locally-owned businesses. The effort primarily stems from the threat of a local box store in town – one that sells junk and funnels money not only out of Wetaskiwin, but out of the country. I applaud the effort of these business-people who have realized that the pattern so evident in other towns across north america, is a possibility here in Wetaskiwin. Many towns who allow this company to move in are left with a ghost town on their downtown strip, and then when the box store closes up shop (there's no economy left to support it), they close up and leave the town with a vast slab of ugly concrete – and an even uglier empty building)

I understand that a family on a limited budget sometimes has no choice but to go where goods are cheap, but what most of the shoppers who frequent that particular store (it will remain nameless, but you probably can guess who I'm referring to) don't seem to understand that the frying pan that costs them $8 SEEMS like a good deal, but will have to be replaced once a year because it's CHEAP JUNK manufacted in brutal working conditions in 3rd world countries. Those frying pans – and all the rest of the cheap junk – ends up in the landfill and, ooops, you still don't have a decent frying pan.

To make matters worse, the money they spend there does NOT stay in Wetaskiwin. The argument that the company is employing local citizens is hollow since this company will never allow them to unionize, and they have no hope at all of obtaining a standard of living above the poverty line.

Time to wake up people and make a difference people. Shop local, yes – but shop smart(er)! Support you local businesses and keep your money in Wetaskiwin instead of sending it to another country, supporting abusive sweat shops, and perpetuating this trend of corporate greed at the expense of everyone involved – the employees, the shoppers who end up with GARBAGE products, and the people who make next to nothing to produce them.

Box stores are NOT the answer folks. There are farmers markets, fruit stands, and locally-run businesses who have everything you need. "I can get everything I need to there though". Good for you – you're lazy and just making things worse for all of us.

Irrelevant says:

Sep 18, 2009

This is a totally incorrect statement. The Wetaskiwin Mall was popular and the stores in the mall had more business before Walmart left. The problem isn't that Walmart is stealing business, it's that the 'few individuals' charge such absolutely mindblowingly expensive rent and nobody can place retail spaces near Walmart because of it. As much as we like to deny it, Walmart and other big box stores may make a lot of money but they increase foot traffic as well and cause other people to visit other stores.

Eyes Wide Open says:

Sep 19, 2009

Incorrect. I'm here to deny it.

People go to Walmart and buy cheap goods (and groceries) and can get everything they need there. While there, they can enjoy a meal at McDonalds – if the words enjoy or meal can be used in this sentence that is.

The problem are staggering – everything purchased there ends up in landfills in 6 months as it's CHEAP JUNK made in 3rd-world countries by people who are paid peanuts. Walmart doesn't have a union, either. Too dangerous – they'd have to PAY their employees.

Why buy a quality frying pan for $40 (that will last 40 years perhaps) when you can buy 40 of them? They only last about a year, but that's OK – you 'saved money' because instead of $40 you only had to pay $8. Genius – nice 'savings'! (The math…. $8 x 40 = $320 and there are 39 pans in the landfill)

Maybe you should watch this documentary about Walmart before defending their business tactics – which is what you're doing by suggesting that the massive slabs of concrete they put down all over the world have ANY value at all.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=654848081…

You should also watch the movie WALL-E again – with your eyes open this time. It's a warning, plain and simple.

Don't want your kids to breathe? Keep shopping at Walmart! Don't let common sense stand in your way.

Don't take my word for it, either. Check this out too.

http://www.walmartmovie.com/facts.php

If you catch me in Walmart, you have my full permission to smack me upside the head – hard. Not much chance of that, I just watched the video again myself. (You can rent it too, it's a feature film on DVD, not just some joker on youtube)

tired says:

Sep 22, 2009

I am not here to defend Wal-Mart, but i am sick and tired of blaming Wal-Mart for a community’s woes. It is sad that mom & pop shops are disappearing, but so are a lot of other institutions that were the fabric of our communities. For example when was the last time you seen an elevator in town? Who would have thought that then automakers would be in the mess that they are in? Dealerships closing some after many many years of service within our communities. n nThe point is things change. I watched the video and the previous owner of the hardware store did not go into Wal-Mart, but this is a basic marketing strategy—seeing what the competition has to offer, pricing, etc. n nIf mom & pop shops are going to survive they need to know what the competition is doing. If you look at Camrose, their downtown core is thriving with a hudge Wal-Mart.

Eyes Wide Open says:

Sep 22, 2009

For the most part, you're bang on. Walmart exists here, nothing we can do about that now. (or is there?) n nThe question you raise is IF. n nIf the mom and pop stores are going to survive, they need to stop supporting the largest corporation ON THE PLANET – one without a union (no regard for the health and well-being of it's employees), no regard for the planet (environment), and apparently any moral fibre AT ALL. n nTo them, it's all about sucking us ALL dry – at whatever cost. n nSorry, the cost is just too high, no matter what their misleading marketing and advertising says. In short, Walmart is a LIE. n nCamrose is more likely to survive Walmart, yes. It's a bigger city with more businesses. It also has an eye on growth, unlike Wetaskiwin where the motto seems to be 'keep things exactly the way they are now.' n nI actually agree with this thinking – big cities are not the answer, they're the problem! (so is overpopulation, but good luck exploring space for other options with uncle sam essentially running the show – he's too busy shopping for guns at Walmart ) n nThe automile – Henry Ford and co. opened pandora's box, and we're left to deal with a planet full of people who WILL NOT sacrifice their automobilic 'freedom'. (when faced with the choice of an electric car, the higher cost drives most right back to gas-powered cars) n nIt's simple really – bring back the horse and wagon or die with Big Oil. The choice is ours. Good luck selling that idea in Alberta though. n n(bicycles are a good idea, hmmm – time to go for a nice refreshing bike ride)

Use Your Head says:

Jul 31, 2009

Want to improve Wetaskiwin? Invest in the community and allow others to invest in the community! As someone who lived in Wetaskiwin for 15 years, and then commuted to work in Wetaskiwin for another six, I agree that little has been done to raise the profile of this community over the last 3 decades.

Has anyone noticed how much Camrose has grown in the last 10 years? Our City Council could learn from them!

Why did Wetaskiwin only get one big-box store when the Walmarts in Leduc and Camrose are surrounded with additional retail outlets and restaurants? It's quite disheartening that, in a city this size, when you need to buy summer clothes for a grade school student you only have two options and they are both discount choices. And too bad if the stores are out of your child's size. Families are forced to shop in other communities just to clothe their kids!

As I See It says:

Oct 21, 2009

Part 1 nOne must realize that Wal-Mart employs a lot of people for more money than any mom and pop store could afford to which is usually minimum wage. These employees in turn would most likely spend the majority of their income in the community. Wal-Mart also supports many local charities and has brought in countless thousands for them. nSure Wal-mart doesn’t have a union, but how many mom and pop stores are unionized, very few if any and they usually don’t offer a health plan package. I personally despise unions and am glad my employer never went union. I am a journeyman and my employer paid the same rates a unionized company did. I know of a reputable electrical business in Wetaskiwin that offered health benefits as a benefit to an employee and after the 3 month probationary period which most insurance companies have, this owner would decline the offer of health insurance. Just a sneaky way to entice employees to work for them, but then a big disappointment when you expect you will have coverage, but in fact were lied to. nIt boils down to choice. If you want to work for a unionized company find one, but don’t bitch about one that chooses not to be, no one is forcing you to work for any specific company and if you don’t know what is or is not offered at your interview, that is your loss. I know people who work for unionized companies and don’t like all the stuff the unions do to them either. nLook at the Home Hardware union fiasco about 20 years back. A friend of mine who was an original employee from the start of that warehouse did not want to do the walkout, but was forced to because of the union. Home Hardware closed the doors and let most of the employees go because the union failed them. He went from a good paying job to one that paid about 1/3 the wage because the mom and pop store can’t offer the same wage as a large box store. When Home Hardware decided to re-open the plant, most of the original employees were given the opportunity to come back with less than they left with, except the ones that didn’t want to walkout to begin with. The union didn’t care to have those people back. Unions suck and they just manipulate the worker. nI have friends that work at Wal-Mart and they have healthcare for themselves and their family. Sure it might be different in the United States Wal-Marts since their health care system is totally different than Canada’s nOne must also consider that the majority of products sold in North America are manufactured in China, Japan and other third world countries. It is because they can do it at a fraction of the price which gives a better profit margin to the retailers. One also has to realize that to some of these third world countries, it is a major source of stability to their economy as they don’t have much else to rely on. nMany of the North American manufacturers can’t compete with these offshore manufacturers and in turn shut their doors. It is because the owners of the retailers trade local made for out of country made at the price of manufacturing costs. n n n n n n n

As I See It says:

Oct 21, 2009

Part 1
One must realize that Wal-Mart employs a lot of people for more money than any mom and pop store could afford to which is usually minimum wage. These employees in turn would most likely spend the majority of their income in the community. Wal-Mart also supports many local charities and has brought in countless thousands for them.
Sure Wal-mart doesn’t have a union, but how many mom and pop stores are unionized, very few if any and they usually don’t offer a health plan package. I personally despise unions and am glad my employer never went union. I am a journeyman and my employer paid the same rates a unionized company did. I know of a reputable electrical business in Wetaskiwin that offered health benefits as a benefit to an employee and after the 3 month probationary period which most insurance companies have, this owner would decline the offer of health insurance. Just a sneaky way to entice employees to work for them, but then a big disappointment when you expect you will have coverage, but in fact were lied to.
It boils down to choice. If you want to work for a unionized company find one, but don’t bitch about one that chooses not to be, no one is forcing you to work for any specific company and if you don’t know what is or is not offered at your interview, that is your loss. I know people who work for unionized companies and don’t like all the stuff the unions do to them either.
Look at the Home Hardware union fiasco about 20 years back. A friend of mine who was an original employee from the start of that warehouse did not want to do the walkout, but was forced to because of the union. Home Hardware closed the doors and let most of the employees go because the union failed them. He went from a good paying job to one that paid about 1/3 the wage because the mom and pop store can’t offer the same wage as a large box store. When Home Hardware decided to re-open the plant, most of the original employees were given the opportunity to come back with less than they left with, except the ones that didn’t want to walkout to begin with. The union didn’t care to have those people back. Unions suck and they just manipulate the worker.
I have friends that work at Wal-Mart and they have healthcare for themselves and their family. Sure it might be different in the United States Wal-Marts since their health care system is totally different than Canada’s
One must also consider that the majority of products sold in North America are manufactured in China, Japan and other third world countries. It is because they can do it at a fraction of the price which gives a better profit margin to the retailers. One also has to realize that to some of these third world countries, it is a major source of stability to their economy as they don’t have much else to rely on.
Many of the North American manufacturers can’t compete with these offshore manufacturers and in turn shut their doors. It is because the owners of the retailers trade local made for out of country made at the price of manufacturing costs.

As I See It says:

Oct 21, 2009

Part 2 nI watched a documentary years ago were an employee spilled the beans on the company he worked for because they manufactured parts for military vehicles. It is American policy that everything had to be American built. The company was outsourcing the manufacturing of the parts to a Chinese company and when it landed on American soil, the parts were taken out of the Chinese crates and re-crated and re-labeled as “Made in USA”. If one doesn’t think this is happening in our own back yard, we are turning a blind eye. nAs for the frying pan scenario mentioned by EWO, I purchased a Teflon frying pan from Wal-mart about 8 years ago. I use it 3-5 times a week and it is in new looking condition. I don’t think it is a quality issue as much as a user know how issue. You use something properly and treat it right it will last a long time. nWal-mart sells Woods and Coleman camping products. These are well known quality products and are sold allot cheaper at Wal-Mart than the comparable mom and pop stores and it is because of buying power. The larger the quantity ordered the lower purchase price. nI have bought clothes from Wal-Mart as well as designer clothes and have found that aside from paying for a brand name the quality isn’t that far off and the clothes have lasted just about as long. nMost electrical products manufactured today are of Asian origin, but again Wal-Mart buys in a quantity that allows them to sell allot cheaper than anyone else. nIn this day and age and the current recession, people will spend their money the best way they see fit. Unfortunately, this world has turned into a throw-away society and it isn’t because of Wal-Mart. Look at the auto-parts industry. Most of the drums and rotors can’t be turned anymore, you just through them out. Core charges are fading away as everything is just thrown out. I had a starter rebuilt a couple months ago in Camrose, because Reynold’s Auto Electric closed its doors. The owner in Camrose said that things like starters and alternators are becoming throw aways. Perishable foods that are still fine, such a 2 day old bread has to be thrown out now because of health concerns, instead of feeding homeless people or less fortunate who would gladly take it because it is still fine. I have had 100% whole wheat bread sit on my counter for 10 days before it starts to go bad. nAgain it is choice; people shop where they want and will pay what they figure something is worth. If you don’t like it, it is your choice not to but it. If you don’t feel a company is unfair because the aren’t unionized. That is your choice as well as the people who choose to walk in the door and ask for a job knowing it is not a unionized business and I believe it is the owners choice to choose whether or not he/she wants to be unionized, they sign the cheques. nWal-Mart just like every other store, including mom and pop stores have their short comings. If you don’t like it, don’t buy from them, but don’t bitch because other people don’t have the same problem you have with them. I personally have bought a few items from Wal-Mart I haven’t been satisfied with and they have gladly refunded my money or did what it took to make me a satisfied customer, because they have the buying power to do so and that is fine with me. It is my choice. If I am not satisfied I have the choice to purchase from them, but I am not going to shove my disappointment with any store down the throats of anyone else, I will leave it up to them to make their decision. nIf I seen you at Wal-Mart, I wouldn’t slap you upside the head as it appears you already complain too much, but I guess that is your choice. One can have a positive outlook on life and be glad they have a choice as to where they want to shop or they can complain about everything and have a negative outlook on life. It appears you chose the latter n

Eyes Wide Open says:

Oct 21, 2009

"As I see it" – Did you watch the documentary I posted a link to above? n nIf you didn't, you have no right to attempt to defend a company whose sole intent is profit and whose track record is so despicable, they'd be shut down in a heartbeat if our citizens (and government) had any guts at all. n nWe're talking about business here – a small community trying to survive in a new economic reality. n nWalmart is BIG business. Business is about profit, plain and simple. (Take what you can at any and all cost while you can.) Your examples of abusive business tactics are well-noted – but that kind of thing happens all the time. There are losers everywhere! I've worked for companies with questionable tactics too, most of us have. (note – past tense there) n nQuestion – Where do the profits from Walmart go? Answer – they don't go back into the community, they go straight south to head office. When a Walmart employee gets paid, I wonder where they do their shopping… n nCount the number of vehicles in the parking lot at Walmart sometime, and do up a quick estimate (based on say $100 per vehicle) of how much money is leaving Wetaskiwin for good – hourly. n nWalmart customers are 80% trailer-trash – so either we as a community are either 80% trailer-trash (overweight idiots with blinders on) or… we have no other choice. Don't agree? Ever been in a Walmart in Edmonton or elsewhere? n nI don't like Walmart because my eyes are open and I see the truth of the myriad of problems they pose to small communities – and the planet. OK, so their Canadian outlets are slightly less abusive than their US counterparts – that lets them off the hook? n nThin reasoning… very thin. n nSince the ice is already so thin, let's keep driving SUV's and quads (planet abuse). The world is finished anyways, so why bother trying to make a difference, right? n nBuying power is in OUR hands, not Walmarts. Maybe we'll wake up and realize that someday, but likely not. They have us by the short ones already it seems. n nWalmart sucks – the life out of communities. When their job is finished, they pull out and leave a nice slab of concrete to rot in the sun, with an extremely ugly empty building. n nThis fight isn't over, it's just getting started. I didn't start it, I just know it's happening – and I care about this community. n nWalmart is here, but believe it or not, it's not too late. Open your eyes to who and what they are, and start making better choices. Every time you shop there you're sending your money to the US, plain and simple. n nWhen the Americans come for our water and oil (and they will in time, in one form or another), we can make them feel right at home. "Look sir, we can stop at Walmart to eat some yummy McD's crap and send more money to China before pressing on to the capital… what's the place called again?" "They didn't tell us, but I think it's Mexico, isn't it?" n nIncredible, just incredible. Thanks for underlining how blind we are to the real problems in the world. Shop American, shop Chinese – shop Walmart. n nYou're right about one thing – Walmart employees don't need or DESERVE a union. They've given up their rights by working there and are condoning the use of 3rd world sweat shops – all to keep the north american consumer machine driving headlong towards disaster. n nAnd for the record, I only complain when it helps wake people up. Watch Wall-E again, apparently you missed the point yet again. Hmmm, where to find DVD's in Wetaskiwin…. hey, I know who carries DVD's! They have 3rd rate goods of all varities there – and you can SAVE MONEY there. n nSaving the planet – forget it, it's too late, and you're programmed so well you probably think global warming is a hoax. n nAs for me, I'm going to "shop smart, shop S-Mart" LOL

As I See It says:

Oct 21, 2009

When it comes to the internet, 95% of what is on there is lies. I could make a movie to depict anything I want, but does it make it totally truthful. I was once told…."Don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you see". This can be true in many cases. I could name allot of businesses including mom and pop businesses who have deplorable business ethics, but that is their choice. If something offends me I choose not to be part of it, and I will share my concerns with family and friends, but I let them decide what they chose to do, I don't shove my political agenda down their throats. n nAs with any business, if profit isn't one of the top concerns, one should be in business. I have been treated with great respect at every Wal-Mart I have been to and they have went out of their way to make me feel like a valued customer. Sure they won't please every person as some people won't try or can't be positive and let negativity run their life. n nYes, Wetaskiwin is a small community, because we don't entice future growth in this community. I have been here for over 41 years and Wetaskiwin has grown about 2000 people since then. You look at Lacombe which has doubled in the past 5 years or so, Ponoka, Camrose, and Leduc. These communities are not suffering because of the large box stores opening. n nAs per the article by "LIVE LOCAL", they say that businesses like Wal-mart on put back about 10% back into the community. With Wal-Mart's sales, 10% is allot of money and more than allot of mom and pop stores combined could give back. Wal-mart has also given back millions to Alberta communities including Wetaskiwin. What have other stores in Wetaskiwin given back, I am sure far less if any. n nThat is correct, we all have the choice of who we work for or where we want to spend our money. n nI agree, most of the profits, but NOT all go back to the American head office, just like most of the American owned businesses in Canada, including the Canadian based businesses that were sold to Americans, by the "choice" of the owners. n nJust like anything that others do, you have no control over them, it is their choice. If they want to drive to Edmonton to shop, that is their choice. How much of money earned in this community stays here. Do you spend every penny in Wetaskiwin. If you don't, you do not have the right to bitch about how much money stays here. Do you holiday every year in Wetaskiwin, or do you go out of the country? If you leave Wetaskiwin, you are not shopping local. If you buy gas out of Wetaskiwin, you are not shopping local. Before you bitch about something, think of what you are bitching about first. n nI know of allot of farmers and business owners here and around Alberta that are snowbirds and spend 4 to 6 months out of Canada. It is their money and choice where they want to spend it, and they are not large American owned companies either. So, before you rip apart a company, because you believe everything you see or hear, get the facts on the local businesses as well. An open mind is a healthy mind. n nThat is your "choice" to believe that 80% of Wal-Mart customers are trailer trash. I am sure that 80% could form their opinion of you as per their choice, but I am sure only a small percentage are as negative, with a closed minded and prefer to live in the present as opposed to the stone ages. n nWe get it, you don't like Wal-Mart, because you believe they are problem stricken, show me a business that doesn't have their problems, no one is perfect. It appears you haven't taken your blinders off, as you seem to be focused on one business and their problems and don't believe the local businesses have their own. If I quit shopping at a store because I felt I have been wronged by them, I probably wouldn't be able to shop in Wetaskiwin anymore. n nThe was recently an out of town construction company that was given the contract to do work in Wetaskiwin and a local company was turned down because they were a little higher. Even with the slightly higher bid, the money would have stayed local, but that was not a concern. I have seen a Manitoba based company doing work along hiway 13 and hiway 2A all summer. Why didn't they give the contract to an Alberta company? Because of democracy and the freedom of choice. If you don't like democracy or freedom of choice, I am sure there are communist countries that would welcome you. n n

As I See It says:

Oct 21, 2009

Yes, buying power is also in our hands and people will use their freedom of choice were they want to buy and if it is at Wal-Mart because they can get almost twice as much for their money as opposed to a mom and pop store and it means the difference of feeding and clothing their children because the small businesses can only pay minimum wage, that is their choice. Do you think they care what is going on behind the scenes when their children need a meal or need clothes. Look at the unemployment and poverty rates. For myself, my family comes first. I guess if everyone had you deep pockets, they could bitch about everything and buy brand name products at twice the price. n nI haven't seen any community that has had the life sucked out by a Wal-Mart, in fact they are doing quite well, with small businesses. I guess if they pack up and leave a large slab of concrete it will save money for other businesses to build, as concrete isn't cheap. I have seen some pretty run down small business buildings in wetaskiwin and am not sure how you see a modern building to be uglier than that, but again you are entitled to your opinion. n nIf you care so much for this community, you would welcome large stores and the money they bring to the community. Right now, allot of money is leaving Wetaskiwin to other area communities, because they have the stores to shop at. I am sure the local charities welcome the money Wal-mart sends their way, that wouldn't otherwise be there if wal-mart wasn't here. n nEverytime I shop at Wal-mart, I know that my family will have a meal and cloths on their backs and I can pay the bills so they have a roof over their heads. If I had your money, I guess I would have money to throw around. You say your eyes are open, but your mind seems to be closed. n nIf you don't think that the US hasn't already been getting oil and water then your eyes aren't open. We have been exporting for years now. If the Americans really wanted to they could walk right in and take it anyways, our military is no match for theirs and it won't be too long into the future when the border between us is gone. n nIf you want to get technical, Wal-mart is far from the problem, it is foreign countries that are eliminating north American manufacturing, because we cannot compete with their prices and businesses owners are outsourcing at the cost of saving a buck. If Wal-mart can but 10 million dollars worth of a product and get each item for say $1.00 and a small business can only get say $50,000 worth of the same products for $5.00 per item who has the buying power and the ability to give their customers the best price? There isn't enough Canadians combined that can have that buying power. n nAnyone that walks in the door at Wal-Mart asking for employment has the right to ask if they are union or not. They also have the choice to walk right back out the door if they don't like it. People that work their didn't give up and rights, they accepted the position with what it is, Wal-mart didn't force them. n n

As I See It says:

Oct 21, 2009

You are quick to say they condone 3rd world sweat shops. What you don't realize, is that what appears to be 3rd world sweat shops could actually be employment for people that would otherwise have no means to provide for their families. I recently watched a program where a employee for an American firm outsourced his work to a person in India for pennies on the dollar. Right there one would think sweat shop. That person in India, outsourced the work to another member of the community. The guy in the US did not do a stitch of work. The first guy in India did a minimal amount of work and the third guy did most of the work. All of them were happy and the one who made the least was happy making money so he could support his family. This is not 3rd world sweat shops, it is economic sustainability. n nThere are allot of Canadian companies that outsource customer service to east India at a fraction of the cost. Why, because they save money. And one of these companies is a financial institution. n nI am an adult, I leave the cartoons for the intended audience, children. Secondly, I am not going to believe that a cartoon is realistically comparable to what is going on in the world today. I believe to an extent that there is global effects from the way we live. but I also know the hype that is portrayed regarding global warming is just that, hype. The Al Gore movie has been proven to be full of scientific flaws and inconsistencies. For the most part it is a scare tactic and one that made Al Gore a boat load of retirement money. n nAs I said, I don't believe most of what is on the internet, because it is mostly personal opinions formed by the person who wrote it. Pictures and videos can be manipulated to portray whatever the director wants it to be. n nWhat I am very sure of is that it won't be long before a Worldwide Sunday Law is passed (Read the latest article by the Pope in July 2009) and if you read the Bible it won't be a very long time before Jesus comes again. The bible also talks about various signs of the endtime which are happening at this very moment. Things such as famine and pestilence like never seen before, earthquakes and disasters of great magnitude(look at scientific evidence, in the last decade these disasters have become severely stronger), knowledge will increase greatly(technology since the mid 80s has grown so fast we can't keep up to it), our children will disrespect their parents like never before(if you don't see this happening, your eyes aren't open, ), people are killing people for stupid reasons. There are over 2000 incidence in the bible that have come to pass with historical events down to the year it said it would happen. This world is spiraling out of control, but it won't be long before all this will be a thing of the past, and what these businesses do and all the unethical things that go on in this world will cease to exist and I look forward to it. n

Eyes Wide Open says:

Oct 21, 2009

'As I see it', if 95% of what is on the internet is lies… who would believe either of us? ;-)

Again then – watch the documentary (a Feature Film, not youtube BS) called 'the High Cost of Low Prices' before attacking my well-educated position on Walmart again. You can likely rent it, download it, etc – oh, and don't bother looking for it next time you're at Walmart, I highly doubt it's on the shelves there… wouldn't be sound business to tell your customers that they're shopping in a place run by the devil himself, would it?

I have surmised several things about you based on your vehement defence of Walmart:

- you either work at Walmart, are in management there, or have family that works there. Regardless, you really seem to love and embrace big box stores. Why? They have hideous architecture, un-natural lighting, concrete floors, and no ambiance to speak of. Did I mention legal slavery?

- you actually think Jesus himself will intervene and cure the many problems the world faces

I hope Jesus shows up soon too – I'm 'down' with him, and we need him apparently. In 2000 years we seem to have learned nothing as a race, have we? Bloodsports, greed, religious fanaticism, illegal wars… to name a very few 'issues' in this world…

If indeed the bible is accurate (and I have my doubts about that as very human hands wrote it and revised it), Jesus was pretty damn cool. If he does make an appearance, I'm sure he'll be offered the late-night talk show circuit, sign up for a few movies, and then move on to the next planet where he's needed.

Holes in the ozone layer (CFC's)… melting polar ice (at an unprecedented rate using any method of analysis)… destruction of rainforests (half of the world's plant and animal species about to disappear)… this must all be God's will, and can't have been caused by exponential industrial human activity that started in the 1800's (the 1st factories)

We should just give up. 'God will fix it for us anyways.' Yes, that was sarcasm – very useful tool when you want to really open someone's eyes as it makes them angry enough to start caring about whatever the issue is.

Are you even awake? Read the bible if you must, but take YOUR blinders off – these are very real problems, and the only way God is going to 'fix them' is if you let HIM FIX YOU – since you're a very real part of God.

I would rather see the trailer trash shopping at mom and pop shops, as the dollars spent at least have a chance of being re-circulated locally. And can you prove that Walmart assists Canadian charities? Have you seen the receipts?

You arguments are thin and uninspiring. But, since God is coming soon, it doesn't matter what we do or where we shop.

Better that Joe and Mary Chan in China have a boot on their face than no boot at all, since the guy with the boot offers them food from time to time? They do such GOOD WORK providing hungry north americans with GARBAGE FOR OUR LANDFILLS. (Don't get me going on McDonalds, their partner in crime in this American dream gone so terribly wrong.)

Watch the video before your next reply please, that's all I'm asking. Copy and paste this link into your brower, simple.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-38362961…

As I See It says:

Oct 25, 2009

Ok, I watched the film you asked me to as well as another 1 hour film by Frontier and took notes. nAt the start I watched as mom & pop owners complained about Wal-Mart because they simply couldn’t compete with a large store. Last time I checked, this was a free country and if a business owner wants to grow his business into an empire he has the choice, Sam Wal-mart started out small just like any mom & pop store and everyone has the choice to stay small or expand, but they shouldn’t bitch and complain we someone decides to move forward with their business, nThere was an eye doctor on the video who said that the non-union employees were getting the same wage as union members. And as far as I am concerned the non-union members don’t have to put up with the crap the unions dole out. nThe video kept referencing high ranking Wal-Mart employees of 17+ years who bash Wal-mart. My first question to that is why did it take 17 years to finally start bashing Walmart and why didn’t they work there so long. It appears like some angry employees who were probably fired for some reason and this was their chance to get back at Walmart. nWorkers said they had to pay portion of benefits or pay $75 for premiums. Firstly, the USA health care system if far from comparable to Canada’s. I paid almost $70 every 2 weeks for my benefits package and still had to pay a certain portion for prescriptions and dental. This is a reality with insurance companies, not employers. If the worker doesn’t like it, they have the choice to work elsewhere, just as it is the choice of the employer to choose if they want to offer a benefits package. nI don’t work at Wal-mart, nor do I have immediate family at Wal-mart, but I do have several friends and church family that work there and they are happy there. One has worked over 20 years for Wal-mart. nThe video states Walmart is anti-union. Big deal, it is their choice. I worked for a few companies that were anti-union, and I was happy they were as I don’t like the crap unions dictate. nVideo stated people were forced to work overtime for regular pay. I am not familiar with US employment standards, but in Canada they have employment and labor laws and if this was the case a simple phone call to Employment Standard would address this issue if it really was one. I am also not heard this to be a fact from people I know that work at Walmart. Most importantly, the employee has the right and choice to say “sorry, won’t work overtime for regular pay and if that is a problem than I must resign my position at Walmart”. Quite simple as a human right, nI have heard from employees that the Superstore does similar things as what this video claims Walmart is doing regarding working overtime at regular pay. If this was the case in either instance in Canada, you think there would be lawsuits against them. If there is anything illegal regarding employment and labor issues, there are agencies to address this, but I didn’t see any legal suits by anyone on this video and Americans are known for being a country that like to sue people. nMany of the allegations in the video against Walmart happen in businesses all over the world. I guess you should quit shopping and live in the stone ages you seem to be stuck in. nEnvironmental effect of fertilizers and herbicides because or products in parking lots leeching into the water. Again, I don’t know the USA laws on environmental disaster, but if this was an issue in Canada, we have strict laws on that in Canada as is an example of the train wreck by Lake Wabamum last summer where CP was fined heavily for their error. If you think Walmart is the only business that causes environmental impact in this world, you are blind to the situation. If you use any chemical, drive a car, heat you house with any type of fuel, you are just as guilty, but on a smaller scale. nI don’t speak any asian language, bit it appeared to be lip-synched. With you well-educated background, did you verify this was an actual and factual translation. Was it really about a Wal-mart issue or clever manipulation to run down Walmat? n

As I See It says:

Oct 25, 2009

Did you get factual information to substantiate that the Chinese girl being interviewed about factory living was actually talking about Walmart and not some other factory. Was she telling the truth or was she paid to say what she said because poverty is a huge issue in China and a monetary payoff from the right-wing director of this movie wanted her to say that? What facts or proof do you have that the factory living is not a result of the Chinese Government? n nSweat shops are apparently a big issue for a large percentage of Asian workers. Unfortunately they work for allot less than comparable in North America, but for them it is still a means to support their families. Do I agree, absolutely not? Do I have the slightest influence or ability to change another country’s standards, absolutely not? No one in Canada is a slave to any employer as we have the freedom and right to choose who we work for. Plain and simple, if you don’t like it leave. If you believe you are being treated unfairly, contact the appropriate agency and voice your concern and see if it has merit. n nWith your well-educated knowledge of Wal-mart, what proof or factual evidence do you have to support that the sweat shop was Walmarts and not just another Chinese sweat shop that are ever so common there? What proof or factual evidence do you have to prove these people actually worked for the business the stated? Most legitimate documentaries would reference the proof or evidence used to portray what is being said. I never seen this during the video. Any director can add subtitles and state names and job positions, does it make it true or factual, I don’t think so. I don’t recall it stating who did the translating from Chinese to English either, so one can assume that the English translation was easily manipulated by the director of the movie. n nThe movie showed a very high wage and the nice house of Lee Scott. What factual evidence was referenced to prove this was actually his wage and his house? It is easy for a movie director to add a few numbers and letters into the screen or add a picture of a nice house and say it is Lee Scotts. Again, where is the referencing to factual evidence? n nThe movie stated Walmart gave 1% to charity and Bill Gates gave 58% to charity. What evidence and reference was used to substantiate this? Even if this was true, it is the choice of a business to decide how much they want to give to charity or back to the community. Anything is better than nothing which would be the case if they weren’t here. Secondly, 1% of Walmarts profits and per capita, is probably not far off of 58% if Bill Gates profits. n nThen at the end of the movie they showed the parking lot problems at Walmart stores on the USA. What are the statistics for Canada? What are the US police doing to stop this problem. Crime in the US is allot different than here. There are so many variables not within Walmart’s control over the crime happening there. You can’t just single out Walmart either, look in our own back yard and how many shootings and deaths happen in parking lots at pubs and night clubs here. How many pub owners car about what happens when therie bouncer shove someone out the door? No many from watching the news, but again the news needs to be taken with a grain of salt as well. It is easy to point fingers when you don’t show the whole picture and that is what the director of this movie has done. n

As I See It says:

Oct 25, 2009

This movie is clearly a one sided view. The other movie I watched which does say that Walmart brings in allot from China, is also backed by an economist who states, the big picture overall is that Walmart os good for the economy, in that all the money saved by consumers allows them to but more. There are three sides to a story, one for each in dispute and the truth. So, here is a movie with a one side approach and view. You are basing your assumptions without knowing the whole truth. I am glad you aren’t a judge and if you are I hope to never be in front of you, because I believe in innocent until proven guilty, although the legal system can be far from that, but that is a whole different issue. I am sure from most of the world and consumers, they keep an open mind and see this, as opposed to a few disgruntled employees or people that believe everything they see and hear at face value. n nDo you recycle everything single thing? Do you drive a car? Do you heat your house will some type od fuel, do you flatulate?, If you answered yes to any of these, you are contributing to environmental disaster. Maybe on a much smaller scale than other people or businesses, but don’t bitch about someone else until you take care of your back yard. n nDo you eat beef, chicken or worse yet pork? The UN has stated the flatulence from animals is one if not the major cause for greenhouse gases. With the ever demanding need for more animals to feed the ever rising population, it is becoming a very serious concern, if the greenhouse effect is as bad as it is being made out to be. If this is the case and you eat flesh, you are just as guilty as the next. As with automobiles, that are contributors to greenhouse gases, hybrids are being manufactured to help reduce the effects. Are you doing your part to stop eating meat, so less animals are needed to meet the demand as this would reduce the number of animals required lowering the overall gases to the atmosphere. n nAgain, take care of what you are doing to the environment before you start bitching about your neighbor. nI did a little checking on the director of this movie you are basing your case on. Robert Greenwald has been labeled as a right-winged activist and his movies are said to be propaganda. nThe New York Post has compared Robert Greenwald to Nazi Propagandist Joseph Goebbels (Propaganda Minister of Nazi Germany). n nThe Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has posted the following….. n nA 41-year-old McFarland man accused of bilking a City of Pewaukee couple out of $15,000 has been ordered to appear in Circuit Court on April 19. nTheodore L. Pittman is charged with one count of theft by fraud. nPittman allegedly promised to invest $15,000 that Robert and Nancy Greenwald gave him on Jan. 12, 1998, in notes issued by Wal-Mart that he said would pay 4% interest after 65 days, according to a criminal complaint. n nIf this is the case, your famed director of this Wal-mart video is no better than the company he is bashing and your well-educated position on Walmart is a lie. Maybe this has something to do with why Robert Greenwald is attacking Walmart with his one-sided propaganda. n nI to have surmised several things about you as well based on your attacks on Walmart. You feel you have been mis-treated by Walmart or know a family member that has. You like to complain about anything you can when on a lower scale are as guilty as the next. You like to base everything on what you see or hear when it is a one-sided argument. n nI, too agree with the many problems within the world we live today such as bloodsports, greed, illegal wars, sexual immortality, which is all a result of sin. Read “The Great Controversy”. You get a better understanding of why things are so bad in the world we live in. n

As I See It says:

Oct 25, 2009

Yes, the bible was written by human hands, but these people were inspired by God to write what was written. It has also been proven by the recovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls between 1947 and 1956 that the bible (King James Version) has been proven to be accurate to the original writings. Yes, there are other versions that have been re-written with many flaws, but the Word of God has been proven to be true and it predicts that these events we live in today would happen shortly before his second coming. Jesus, also gives us the reassurance that we have more to live for and a better place ahead of us than this sinful place we live now that was brought on by the sin of Satan. nOne thing that will never happen is Jesus doing any talk shows. Satan will deceive many by his appearance on earth as Jesus as stated in the bible, because it says that the saved will be caught up in the sky with Jesus. The pure and Holy Jesus does not touch this sinful earth at the second coming, not until after the earth has become cleansed of all sinful nature. nIt seems the majority are ready to blame God for the disasters. The call it an act of God. What they don’t realize, is the bible says that Satan has the ability to cause such horrible acts, because of the freedom of choice we were given from the beginning. Satan made the choice to become sinful and forces his agenda on others. Those whom chose to be sinful have also chosen to be tempted and destroyed by the sins of Satan. nWe can only do what we can to minimize the effects we believe are causing problems. Although the Wal-mart video you are basing your criticism on may appear to be truthful, there is no factual references to it, nor does it provide all three sides to the story. I could make a movie like this to make it out to look like some business is so bad. When it showed the name of the person that worked for Walmart as a high position employee, didn’t nit state the Walmart he worked at so, one could verify if it was factual or not. nThere are just way to many inconsistencies in this movie that I don’t see how anyone could believe it to be truthful. nYou asked if I could prove Walmart gives to charities. The video you asked me to watch stated Walmart gives 1% to charities. I guess by your well-educated position on Walmart stating they don’t give to charities and the video stating they do, this video must be based on lies then. Don’t you think that if walmart didn’t give to charities, but stated they did, the charities would sue then and take then to court? Do you have the proof to show that Walmart doesn’t give to charities. I have been in this city for over 40 years and have never heard of a charitable organization complain that walmart didn’t give then the money they said they would, have you? If so, were is the proof. Charities don’t complain if they get the donations, only when they don’t. nIf my arguments are so thin and uninspiring, I wonder how much lower they can get to be on your level. nYou base your so called well educated position on a movie from a person who has been labeled as a right-winged propagandist who has been compared to a Nazi propagandist. He has also has dealing with a person who deals with turning over a profit from Walmart Notes. What kind of hypocrite does this, apparently Robert Greenwald, the director of the video that attacks Walmart. nThe economy in China was well on its way to destruction before Wal-mart entered the picture. There are people like Joe and Mary Chan in every society, not because of Wal-mart, but because of the way human nature has caused it to be. Sure you can blame it on a corporate giant, but it is a blind approach and not justifiable, but anyone with their eyes open and with an open mind would know this. nI agree as well that McDonalds and every fast food restaurant and the majority of the businesses and industries make up for the destruction of our human existence. The remaining balance of our destruction is our own personal error and judgments. Not a person one this earth is free of sin and we are all guilty of the decline in some way or form to the earth’s natural balance. So, does that fact justify that you are better than the next. Is one sin better than the next. n

As I See It says:

Oct 25, 2009

Everyone has the choice to shop where they want. Everyone has the choice as to how they see fit to spend their money. Everyone has the choice as to whether they will recycle or not to reduce the effects on the environment. Everyone has the choice whether or not they want to cheat, lie, steal or even kill. nWhether it is ok or not in your opinion or mine, we all have the right to chose what we do or don’t do. It is a God given right, even though some governments take that right away. n nI as well as so many other people in the world shop at Wal-mart for various reasons, some being the prices are affordablein this economy. It leaves me more money to feed and clothe my family. It affords me the ability to put my children in sports, so they don’t become obese and unfit. If I had to pay the high prices at mom and pop stores all the time, my children would suffer and there would be a very good chance we would be living on the streets. You can blame this on walmart if you want, but the real picture for lack of jobs is the economy forcing downsizing nor closing up shop because of the price of commodities. n nBusinesses have come on gone over the many decades and even before walmart became a giant. Just because they know how to expand at an alarming rate that others can’t afford to do or are scared to take that leap, doesn’t mean they should be condemned for it. n nWe could go on back and forth on this issue because we both have our different opinions on this issue because we were both given this choice from the beginning of creation. I chose not to base my opinion on the assumptions of a right-winged propagandist and until I see actual proof and evidence that these allegations exist, I don’t intend on changing them. I am all for innocent until proven guilty. n nNo one is forced to shop or work at Walmart. We are all free to make our CHOICE. n

As I See It says:

Oct 25, 2009

Oh Ya, in regards to your statement….. n n'As I see it', if 95% of what is on the internet is lies… who would believe either of us? ;-) n nI wouldn't expect anyone to believe what I have to say. I would expect nothing less than for them to research and fine actual evidence to support what they heard or seen. n nFor instance, did the NY Post actually write an article stating Robert Greenwald is compared to a Nazi Propagandist? n nWas he really involved in a scam to make money on Wal-mart notes as reported. n nAs I said, don't believe anything your hear and only half of what you see. n nAs I said with the Walmart video, there was no real evidence or proof to substantiate any of the Allegations of Robert Greenwald. Any reputable book or movie has footnotes and references as to where the material (facts or evidence) was obtained, so people can research to see if it is in fact truthful. Robert Greenwald lacked the professionalism to provide such information and therefore, one can only accept it as propaganda which is exactly what his movies have been labeled as. n nAll the best

Eyes Wide Open says:

Oct 26, 2009

ONE n nGreat thread here, as we've opened up just about every can there is! Cheers for helping me (and everyone else) think through the choices we all make in life! n nA few things I need to respond from your last few posts – can't resist and have to set the record straight: n nI didn't like Walmart before I saw that movie. It doesn't matter to me who made it (or why), because it simply drove home the message that they're bad news for planet earth, regardless how they do business (whether within the law or, in their case it seems, flirting with the boundaries of it) n n"If you use any chemical, drive a car, heat you house with any type of fuel, you are just as guilty, but on a smaller scale. " n nEveryone is guilty – living itself leaves a footprint not matter how 'clean' one lives. n n"The movie showed a very high wage and the nice house of Lee Scott. What factual evidence was referenced to prove this was actually his wage and his house?" n nDoes it matter? Don't you think he's well-paid as CEO of the largest corporation in the world? n n"The movie stated Walmart gave 1% to charity and Bill Gates gave 58% to charity. What evidence and reference was used to substantiate this?" n nAgain, does it matter? I don't see flock of youtube videos passionately refuting ANY of the facts in that movie – period. Who the director is and who he is in bed with doesn't matter here – if nothing else, how about the news footage in the film? I suppose you think it's all doctored, given your level of trust regarding this movie (near zero) n n"Do you spend every penny in Wetaskiwin. If you don't, you do not have the right to bitch about how much money stays here." n nI try to, unless I have no choice. With Walmart pulling at least (as guess here) $10,000 per hour of Wetaskiwin's economy that could have been spent at mom and pops store, soon I'll have no choice – as mom and pop will have closed up and moved. Your point about them keeping up with Walmart's prices is so completely out to lunch – who can afford to stay in business against a company with that kind of buying power? n nConsider a town with no Walmart at all. The economy would very likely be stable and ride through the ups and downs. In comes Walmart like a giant leech, sucking the down dry as local businesses are forced to close down. Mom and pop have no choice but to either shop there themselves, drive out of town to shop, or leave town. n nThis is friendly competition? I have no doubt that it's easy to get ex-Walmart execs to fess up to what they saw and did while with the company. As in any company, one must toe the line while there. Once out however, out comes the truth of things. n nAs you've watched the video I asked you to, I'll try to track down that book you suggested. I do in fact have a very open mind. I see things for what they are and attempt, like many, to get a look at the whole picture before forming an opinion. n nTell me that Walmart doesn't have an unfair business advantage in Wetaskiwin over their local competitors – and I'd estimate they have their hands in 50% of the pie in terms of products offered. It's called a monopoly. n n

Eyes Wide Open says:

Oct 26, 2009

TWO n n Wetaskiwin is proven to be unable to attract other ugly box stores to town (to date at least) so we "might as well accept federation rule for the time being" (that from a well-known series of movies), and happily go support China and the US. n n'Shop Local' does not mean shop at Walmart! It means shop at stores where there's a snowballs chance in hell that the wages AND profits earned at a local business have a chance of being spent here in Wetaskiwin. n n"Then at the end of the movie they showed the parking lot problems at Walmart stores on the USA. What are the statistics for Canada? What are the US police doing to stop this problem. Crime in the US is allot different than here. There are so many variables not within Walmart’s control over the crime happening there. You can’t just single out Walmart either, look in our own back yard and how many shootings and deaths happen in parking lots at pubs and night clubs here. How many pub owners car about what happens when therie bouncer shove someone out the door?" n nWalmart needs the police in the US – very possibly true. So the leech sends it's employees to the gov't for health care and depends upon the police to prevent crime as well? Anything wrong with this picture? LOL Your pub example is full of holes, as people who go to pubs understand that there may be problems as there are DRUNKS there. n nAlso, exempting Wal-mart Canada from the problems they have in the states is an extremely lame way to let them off the hook! Walmart is turning people into sheep – plain and simple. n n"I to have surmised several things about you as well based on your attacks on Walmart. You feel you have been mis-treated by Walmart or know a family member that has. You like to complain about anything you can when on a lower scale are as guilty as the next. You like to base everything on what you see or hear when it is a one-sided argument." n nWrong, sorry. Never worked there, no personal beef (leaving the vegetarian thing alone) and don't know anyone who does either. It's simply way too 3rd world for people with an education that exceeds grade 10. Once they rule the world and I have no choice, I'd rather sell lemonade to Walmart customers on the street as they leave – than ever work to buy drinks for Lee Scott and his executive blood-suckers! n n"I am sure from most of the world and consumers, they keep an open mind and see this, as opposed to a few disgruntled employees or people that believe everything they see and hear at face value." n nIf this is a case, we are doomed as a species. Walmart rules all now – never mind in 20 years. Minimum wage with no benefits – welcome to legal slavery people. (just too funny, isn't it?) n n"Do you eat beef, chicken or worse yet pork? The UN has stated the flatulence from animals is one if not the major cause for greenhouse gases." n nYou had better watch another movie, the Obama deception. I doubt you could handle that one though. (it's pretty heavy stuff – talks about the 'new world order' that we live under now) Before you form the wrong opinion about it, it's not anti-Obama, it simply presents him as what he is – a puppet of wall street, which perhaps all presidents (excepting perhaps JFK) have been for many, many years. n n"If my arguments are so thin and uninspiring, I wonder how much lower they can get to be on your level. " n nWe've got a God and Satan tangent going – let's leave them out of this, as that's as low as things can go. (Satan, if indeed he exists as an entity… is pretty low – I'm sure you'd agree with that statement! n n"You asked if I could prove Walmart gives to charities. The video you asked me to watch stated Walmart gives 1% to charities. I guess by your well-educated position on Walmart stating they don’t give to charities and the video stating they do, this video must be based on lies then. Don’t you think that if walmart didn’t give to charities, but stated they did, the charities would sue then and take then to court? Do you have the proof to show that Walmart doesn’t give to charities. I have been in this city for over 40 years and have never heard of a charitable organization complain that walmart didn’t give then the money they said they would, have you? If so, were is the proof." n nNo proof required – 1% is, again, pretty low. Again, I don't hear an uproar from Walmart defending themselves from the 'allegations' in that movie! I'm no judge (thank God ;-), but that fact alone hints that the movie ain't far from the truth. Keeping quiet in the face of all of those 'charges' as opposed to jumping up and down about them…. doesn't look good on them. n nThey probably don't care though, as there are enough sheep out there to keep the cash registers beeping – all day and all night at Christmas-time.

Eyes Wide Open says:

Oct 26, 2009

THREE n nNothing wrong with that, is there? Nawwww, that's not a cash-grab intended to take advantage of good Christian people out buying gifts for their loved ones… (sarcasm) n nSales Pitch to Pleasantville n nWalmart is a very classy organization with fine family values, offering great products at great prices, including extra-great Christmas prices at 4 am even to people everywhere. We even offer our 'associates' (suckers) minimum wage – to help keep you, the overly-flatulent (and overweight) consumer, happy! n nNo Walmart in your town yet? Talk to your local politicians about changing that now! You deserve better! Low prices for your lower classes are a phone call away! (Aw hell, they're low-class people anyways, let's make sure we keep 'em there!) n nHmmm, best to stay away from the bible and the nazis at this point methinks. This conversation, while passionate and healthy to this point, is best steered away from highly inflammatory topics. n n"Businesses have come on gone over the many decades and even before walmart became a giant. Just because they know how to expand at an alarming rate that others can’t afford to do or are scared to take that leap, doesn’t mean they should be condemned for it." n nBrilliant idea for a movie – working title… n n "Walmageddon – a new beginning for mankind" n nOver the many decades, Walmart was just a dream waiting to be realized in America, the land of the free and the home of the brave – a land of 300 million who deserved (more than any other country) to be overfed and overstimulated – a land so great that other countries yearned to have the Amercian level of freedom wash their own people clean of sin. n nAmerica was a land where, instead of talking to their neighbors, the people got smart, and learned to sue them for profit instead. When that didn't work, they got even smarter – and just went to war to get what they needed – to keep being so free. n nThe fulfillment of the 'Walmart dream', in which there was only one company that both employed and served all, grew at an alarming rate. Some were alarmed, however, that most of the others seemingly couldn't even hear the alarm! n nThe few with their eyes open were put down quickly however, and the blind led the blind down the garden path until all were happy – happy because they all had inexpensive clothes on and had enough McNastiness to eat every day. n nLo, the dream had been fulfilled! n nPraise be to Walmart, as without their wisdom and guidance, we'd have all starved. n n(Roll credits and don't forget to site all sources, lest anyone question the truth as presented herein) n nJoe "Thank God that was just a movie! That could never happen! Funny as hell though, yes?" n nMary "You said it brother! Right up there with global warming! Remember that hoax? What crock that was huh… n nJoe "Hey, how come there's no snow in the mountains for us to go skiing on this year? I heard it was those damn solar panels – they reflected too much sunlight onto the slopes and melted the snow! That's what the govern-mart said, so it must be true!" n nMary "Bless our govern-mart – without them we'd probably have no soylent green!" n————————————————————————————————————– n nIf you aren't laughing at this point, you should likely seek professional help. ;-)

CHANGE? says:

Oct 26, 2009

I miss the old days when people believed from experience. They learned through experience and they grew from experience. Of course I am speaking about PERSONAL experience. nIn these modern times, we learn through second-hand experience or expertise. nTelevision, radio, magazines, internet, etc. That is what we and our kids and our grandkids are and will be learning from. Capturing their attention and raping their minds of decency and common sense all in the names of money, ego, and status. nWill my grandchildren ever learn how to farm? Will they ever plant a flower with their bare hands? Will they even know where food comes from, and how it nourished their bodies? nTo be honest folks, I am tired. tired of the daily fight it takes to remain above the sea of lies we have been fed as consumers. I am tired of fighting corporations that violate human rights. Tired of haggling at the store for a fair price. Tired of having to argue with someone or defend my freedoms every time I walk out of my house. n

CHANGE? says:

Oct 26, 2009

And you know what? THAT TIREDNESS IS WHAT THEY'VE BEEN COUNTING ON! nAll these 'big shots' (McD's, Walmart, etc) debuted as a convenience for us, when realistically, they have been poisoning us from the start, slowing our minds, malnourishing our bodies, so that we WON'T EVEN HAVE THE ENERGY TO LIFT ONE FINGER IN THEIR DIRECTION. I despise them, but I also despise ourselves for letting it happen. nWill the earth ever find peace? Will it ever change for the better? Will we continue to ignore the truth staring us in the face (obesity rates, unemployment rates, the nukber of people in poverty or bankrupt, the nukber of people dependent on alcohol or drugs, multiple world-wide pandemics) and allow these mad scientists to cage us and use us for experimentation, or will we fight back? Will we be pushed so far that we decide to push back…and HARD? n

CHANGE? says:

Oct 26, 2009

Yes, I saw the Wal-Mart documentary, and I was FURIOUS with what I saw. UNHINGED. But it seems the truth is few and far between, and that people prefer to believe the easy lies rather than the hard truth…..and you know why?? Because it means taking action. It means sacrificing some of life's pleasures to turn the world around. But who wants to do that??? Very few. Very few. But I commend them.

Eyes Wide Open says:

Nov 12, 2009

Proceed to watch the following only if you have an open mind and want to be able to filter the truth from what you see in the media. (you won't find the truth on CNN, so don't look for it there) This is an alarmist film to be sure, but it really makes you wonder how free we truly are.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw

This film and others are also available (for free) at prisonplanet.tv

Don't be tired, just be aware – and thanks for the comments CHANGE.

Eyes Wide Open says:

Nov 27, 2009

By The Canadian Press

OTTAWA – The Supreme Court of Canada says Wal-Mart was entitled to close a store in Quebec in 2005 just as employees were about to unionize.

The highest court in the country ruled in a 6-3 margin today the multinational had the right to shut down the outlet about 250 kilometres north of Quebec City and lay off 190 employees. Most lower courts that ruled on the case also sided with the commercial giant.

During the Supreme Court hearings early this year, the company denied it fired its employees because they had just formed a union.

The company said they were let go simply because the store was shutting down.

But, workers at the outlet said the two events were related.

As I See It says:

Dec 1, 2009

In regards to the Wal-Mart court case, good on them. I know several small businesses that said they would shut down if their employees tried to go union. I believe unions are bogus and a waste and I have seen more people lose their jobs because of it (ie Home Hardware Warehouse) Sure the courts sided with Wal-Mart, because they seen no error in the case against them. Sure the employees say different, because they lost their job because they screwed up, a classic response to lay blame on others for their own stupidity.

I was amazed by the letter to the editor in the paper by Mr. Hockins. he showed statistics of other communities growth as well as Wetaskiwin's and it showed wetaskiwin extremely low compared to others in the area. Clearly an example that bringing in large stores has had a positive impact on their communities and the anti-business approach wetaskiwin has, has caused the growth to slow to a stand still. As was stated, wetaskiwin is a city in SLOW motion if at all.

If you try and use the approach that these companies are taking money out of the community or country, then why are these other communities still thriving so successfully? You can come to a rational conclusion that the anti-business approach in wetaskiwin is causing it to lose out in every way, as the small businesses are sure not making Wetaskiwin grow. Small businesses keep closing, because people drive elsewhere, where they have choices for shopping. These are the communities surrounding us that have all these other stores, that wetaskiwin should have that would keep people shopping here.

Nothing will change in Wetaskiwin until we get a city council that actually has a concern for the growth of Wetaskiwin, not a personal agenda. It is time to start living in the present, not the stone age.

Eyes Wide Open says:

Dec 2, 2009

Excellent comments! The only thing I need to point out is that Walmart is the largest corporation in the world and is essentially a modern, apparently legal version of slavery. If there was no error in the case against them, it's because they are likely operating just inside legal boundaries and no doubt have very powerful lawyers working to 'protect' them from 'the peasants' (see Michael Moore's latest film for that gem – apparently that's what Walmart actually considers their .

That doesn't make what how they operate acceptable at all. (OJ didn't do it, did he? He's still out looking for the 'real' killer I heard… oh right, he got arrested for something else entirely… but he's no murderer of course…)

Otherwise, I have to agree. Wetaskiwin is living in the stone age and most obviously does NOT want growth. Since sustainability is collapsing all around us as the global economy suffers, it's a simple matter of the council (and the people they 'work for' behind the scenes) having a hidden agenda.

That agenda is obvious – fix the problems by being anti-business and, ideally, create 'Pleasantville'.

Reality check – this isn't the 50's, and Pleasantville was only a silly movie anyways.

Sitll, there's nothing wrong with small communities staying small – there are way too many cities (and people) in the world as it is! If Wetaskiwin wants to be green (and I think it really does), then keeping the population under control is actually a positive thing. Forcing your citizens to drive elsewhere to shop however is NOT green.

I feel that the solution to the problems here – primarily shopping options – is to do what HAS TO BE DONE – attract even a select few box stores (ones that aren't afraid of global bully Walmart) who will round out consumer choice in Wetaskiwin. If Wetaskiwin has left the other box stores with a bad impression at this point, it's really a shame but there's likely nothing that can be done.

When a Superstore or something similar opens here, we'd have shopping options besides Walmart and the mom and pop stores. As it is, mom and pop don't stand a chance against them – period.

** People are NOT going to go buy a pair of jeans at mom and pop's place for $40 when they can get a pair for $15 at Walmart – even if they can't stand the place. Not with their pocketbooks stretched beyond the limit at least.

With no middle class, here's Wetaskiwin's consumer economy in a nutshell – the rich shop with mom and pop and the poor shop at Walmart. Who wins? Walmart – because the rich don't want anything besides Walmart to exist here.

Hidden agenda revealed!!! "Let's put a Walmart on the outskirts as close to Hobbema as possible. 'They'll' come in and leave again without having to come into town. For 'the ones in town', close down the liquor stores and pawn shops early so they eventually leave town altogether."

Cleverly disguised intolerance and borderline racism at work, or am I imagining this? If I can't possibly be right, then explain the rationale for that stoopidly conceived and stoopidly-passed new law.

The Wetaskiwin 'white man' who thinks he's fooling us all clearly isn't. Or is he? It's probably just grandma's idea to 'keep the streets clean and safe'…. (that was a general reference to those 'making the rules', not any one person in particular)

They' are here and there's nothing anyone can do about it. FYI – Most of them are truly decent people who are very obviously being encouraged to get the hell out before we 'make them' get out. If true at all, that attitude is reprehensible…

Sorry if this offends anyone, I really am. Just digging for the reason that Wetaskiwin is a City in No Motion.

As I See It says:

Dec 1, 2009

This is a must see video for anyone who believes in global warming. It is done by a respectable Lord and Scientist who provides factual evidence that global warming is a hoax. You decide what to believe after you watch it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zOXmJ4jd-8

As I See It says:

Dec 2, 2009

Excellent reply. I think what is being said here isn't far from the truth if it hasn't nailed it on the head.

As far as the liquor store/pawn shop issue bylaw that was recently passed, I believe the City of Wetaskiwin took a dictatorship approach to it. It sends a message to anyone wanting to open a business in Wetaskiwin, that they may be told when and what time they can open their doors. If I wanted to open a business in Wetaskiwin knowing this I would seriously reconsider because of this. This new bylaw will in no way make an impact on the issues the City of Wetaskiwin figures it will. If someone wants to pawn something, they will just get there earlier.

If someone wants to by alcohol, they will still get it. It may be through bootlegging or again, getting it before the store closes even if it is earlier. For the responsible people that drink it might mean them driving to Millet to get booze. Unfortunately, it might mean people drinking and driving to Millet to get their fix, who knows.

Maybe that is why Millet recently had a second liquor store open. They figure they will capitalize on the overflow from wetaskiwin coming for alcohol after we shut our down here. Again, it could increase the drinking and driving on the roads because of this.

What a class act City Council Wetaskiwin has. If we don't have a bylaw for everything you can rest assured it is in the process of being passed.

Chuck says:

Feb 22, 2010

Wal mart is a good store quit your bitching its good for wetaskiwin

Mike Yargeau says:

Mar 17, 2010

I'm with you Chuck. Enough already.

Eyes Wide Open says:

Feb 22, 2010

Wetaskiwin Walmart employees have a chance to make significantly more than minimum wage? They get benefits? They have a chance for personal growth? They have a chance at a better life – one that involves not spending their time working in a box under fluorescent lights on a concrete floor?

The lack of a union to protect their rights guarantees that they're subject to brainwashing (standard corporate behavior) and subject to the whim of the meanest, most powerful corporation on earth?

This debate isn't about Walmart, it's about what's best for Wetaskiwin in the long run. Walmart – virtually alone in Wetaskiwin – ain't the answer for us – period.
________________________

If the agenda of the Wetaskiwin City council (and the powers behind it) is negative growth, then they're right on track.

If the agenda is to keep the 'bubble' surrounding Wetaskiwin intact, then they're on right track.

If the agenda is forward motion and growth, then it's time for a change, and I'm not just talking about the mayor, who is powerless and likely doing his best – given that he's powerless.

Where's our world-class hotel near the Reynolds museum? Where's our airplane manufacturing facility?

Where's our hope for a stable economy?

Thanks to everyone here for keeping this interesting, timely, and necessary debate moving forward in a positive direction.

It's time to present solutions to our mutual problems, not complain about them. Your voice is important – the powers that be are likely listening.

InTheGround says:

Nov 27, 2010

I posted two comments on this thread in August or September 2010. Another poster responded to my first comment. I then discovered all three postings disappeared from this site sometime before the election. Can someone please tell me what happened to these comments? I certainly hope censorship was not at play. Regardless of what happened (a computer glitch perhaps?), please restore these comments from a backup. Thank you.
InTheGround

wetaskiwintmrw says:

Nov 4, 2010

I'll look into it. They certainly shouldn't have been deleted.

Lucas Warren
Wetaskiwin Tomorrow
780-361-4416

Edith Riley says:

Feb 3, 2011

I was directed to this site only a few days ago, after reading this post it really got me thinking about Wetaskiwin. I've lived her four roughly 16 years now, and I've watched as the city has declined instead of accelerating. The recent store, Sport Check, was somewhat of a shock to me to see new business coming in, I was very happy as my two sons are very much into sports. I was also happy to hear about the new facilities going in and the downtown revamp, but I was a bit saddened to see people fighting the city tooth and nail to try and stop it. I've been to a few open houses, and have heard nothing but complaints about the raise in taxes and the money that the citizens will have to pay out, but is this not for the citizens? Me and my husband would love to see more come to this city, and are willing to pay a little extra have that happen. I don't want to sound as if I'm downing what has happened in Wetaskiwin, but as of now, not that much has really changed drastically over the course of the past few years. Leduc and Camrose get the majority of my shopping money, though I would love to spend it here, Wetaskiwin has not much to offer, a Wal-Mart is not the shopping end all, there is no variety in Wetaskiwin, and there hasn't been for some years now. As a 'City In Motion' as this post has stated, which was posted in 09, it is no 2011 and Wetaskiwin seems to still be dragging behind everyone else, I'm very much hoping to see change soon.

Edith Riley says:

Feb 3, 2011

Sorry for double posting, I found a few errors in my last message.

Eyes Wide Open says:

Feb 3, 2011

Wetaskwin is still the 'City in No-motion'. Sad really…

What do you think?


Name required	Email required	Website

Click here to cancel reply.

“It appears if Wetaskiwin were to actually grow, these few wealthy individuals would lose their stronghold …”

44 comments

What do you think?

Follow Us Everywhere

Recently