I was recently asked to participate in a telephone survey regarding the proposed Wal-Mart Super Center that would like to develop on the Saunders Mill property which abuts densley populated residential neighborhoods on two sides.

I would like to know what my ethnicity, political party affiliation and beliefs, and income have to do with my feelings regarding this proposed development?

Hmmmm….Didn’t Wal-Mart hire a public relations firm from Connecticut – Public Strategy Group – to create a “grass roots” campaign in favor of a Wal-Mart in Westbrook? This must be them calling, for as their Web site says, “Public Strategy Group has the grassroots campaign for your needs. Whether it’s petition drives, letter writing campaigns, polling, hearing attendance, direct mail, radio or television advertising, PSG has the plan for you” (www.publicstrategygroup.com).

If Wal-Mart is so popular and communities want it so badly – then why do they need to import a public relations firm to create their network of support? Shouldn’t citizens of Westbrook do this on their own if they are so supportive? Isn’t there a REAL group of citizens in Westbrook who oppose this project, in order to protect the REAL people of Westbrook? I wonder if they are able to respond to this type of campaign? And didn’t the Westbrook Planning Board recently propose a draft of site plan standards for large scale commercial and retail development near residential areas?

According to the group Wal-Mart Watch, Wal-Mart’s recent successful campaign to defeat Proposition 100 in Flagstaff, Ariz., illustrates the uphill battle Westbrook citizens and officials will face to responsibly limit a Wal-Mart Supercenter’s size and location. According to campaign finance reports released recently, Wal-Mart dumped more than $385,000 into the race, outspending local citizens 3 to 1. This amount is even more significant when you consider that the population of Flagstaff is little more than 61,000. And Proposition 100 would not have banned Wal-Mart in Flagstaff. Instead, the measure would have simply limited any new stores to 125,000 square feet and imposed an 8 percent cap on the amount of floor space devoted to nontaxable grocery items. In spite of this sensible approach to preserve the town’s local economy, Wal-Mart had no flexibility or respect for the local people and their government.

Geez…according to the recent full page advertisement in the American Journal (June 15) Wal-Mart claimed they are all about community. I guess it is only when the community abides by their rules!!

Patrick Bureau

Westbrook