Inglewood Votes No On Wal-Mart
By George Anderson
Voters in the predominantly African-American suburb of Los Angeles, Inglewood,
voted by a 60.6 percent to 39.3 percent margin to reject Wal-Mart in its bid
to build one of its supercenters in the community.
The vote came about after Wal-Mart launched a campaign to overturn a local
ban on big box stores.
The retailer wanted to build a 60-acre retail development including space for
other businesses in vacant land in Inglewood.
If the vote had gone in Wal-Mart’s favor, the retailer would have been able
to develop the land, reports Bloomberg, while being “exempt from zoning
ordinances, public hearings and other local controls.”
Bob McAdam, a spokesperson for Wal-Mart, issued the following email statement
to reporters. “We are disappointed that a small group of Inglewood leaders together
with representatives of outside special interests were able to convince a majority
of Inglewood voters that they don’t deserve the job opportunities and shopping
choices that others in the L.A. area enjoy.’
Moderator’s Comment: What are your thoughts on the
Inglewood vote situation and Wal-Mart’s future course based on the resistance
it is up against?
Wal-Mart is neither the evil empire its enemies make it
out to be nor it is the gleaming light of virtue it portrays itself as.
That said, we’ve been to Inglewood and can’t help but
agree with the sentiments of a consumer, Magda Monroe, 65, interviewed by the
Associated Press, “Even if it’s minimum wage (jobs), it’s better than
nothing. – George
Anderson – Moderator