Yes, Ms. Adams, the cop logs are indicative of certain social problems in Brentwood. It would be really tough to say that they were caused by Walmart, since we do not have a Walmart in Brentwood. Your analogy is flawed and essentially pointless.
I would bet serious money that if Walmart is allowed to build in Brentwood, the cop logs will show a measurable increase in crime, both petty and serious, in the vicinity of any store that it’s allowed to build. And yes, lots of companies have lawyers and lobbyists also. But not many of those companies have the track record that Walmart does with regard to using its lawyers and lobbyists to buy and bully local politicians.
Walmart has a history of using its money and tactics to outmaneuver local opposition to the building of Walmart stores in small towns all over the United States. Brentwood will be electing a new mayor and City Council in the next election. It would be a very smart move to closely monitor all campaign contributions in these races.
And yes, most new employees start out “at the bottom,” as you so cleverly put it. But in the case of Walmart employees, they tend to stay there and never do receive a livable wage or any kind of benefits.
And yes, the track record of Walmart is littered with closed small-town businesses. If you really need the “less expensive” option that you mentioned, there is a Walmart close by on Lone Tree Way in Antioch.
And finally, I will continue to deride the purchase of the palm trees. Their beauty, or lack of it, is not the point. The point is that they were a waste of taxpayer’s money. The money paid for those trees would have paid an elementary school teacher’s salary for two years. In this day of overcrowded classrooms, I would happily forgo the palm trees for better education for our children and less crowded classrooms.
I am pleased that there is this much interest in the debate concerning Walmart. The more public scrutiny, the less chance that Walmart will be able to “purchase” the politicians it needs to get its way.
Bill Sumner, Brentwood
"freshen up," and then the McDonald's went in. The whole area became one huge trash can. I NOT a snob. I am however, not willing to shop at WALMART because people let their little kids run rampant, which is a shame as they have a great greeting card section. I cannot imagine why on earth anyone would think that Brentwood or Oakley would need a WALMART. COSTCO is just a hop into Tracy, and there is a new one where the old one was in old Antioch (too far for some people who live really east) And you have a Safeway that should have little carts for everyone to ride because if you forget something, Mama Mia it can be a mile or two to a) FIND IT, and b) get back to it! And I have only heard some of this at the salon, but many people in Trilogy and Somerest and Brentwood want to think that their City is quite fancy, and I would dare say you would be much better off with a Target Super/Grocery Store. I have seen them in Idaho and Colorado and they are really nice. I think that San Ramon might have one, That should work, JUST FIGHT WALMART WITH EVERT DIME YOU HAVE, IT DOES NOT MATTER WHERE IT IS LOCATED, IT IS A SCOURGE. THIS IS MY PERSONAL OPINION, AND I STAND BY IT. Before you make a decision,go to the Lone Tree Store on a Saturday afternoon. Notion how close it is to the high school. And the home behind the little creek. And then SAY NO! I feel I can comment because it was 10 miserable years before we moved. THe park became a pig sty as well as people could hop the creek with almost no water.,,, So we know of what we speak. Best of luck