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.
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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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.