Editor:

Why do we need a Walmart in Brentwood? We have one very close now. I have witnessed small towns putting in a Walmart and a few years later the whole downtown square is boarded up except for the bars. Go to any small town in the Midwest that has allowed one in and look at their town square.

Our downtown is struggling to become a special place to go and an asset to our community. The area you are talking about putting one already cannot keep any business and has quite a few empty stores and offices. The dollar store is the only store I know that can compete with Walmart’s prices.

Next they will put the food stores out of business. I was in the one on Lone Tree Way just yesterday and had to walk way to the back of the store before I could find anything but food. We cry about China taking away our lifestyle … and we help them out at every turn. The prices are right … because everything in the store is made in China. Put something in that spot that can employ people for more than minimum wage and make this town better, not downgraded.

If you need the tax money, don’t buy expensive trees. Little ones grow, you know.

Joanne Oertwig, Brentwood