[Vision2020] A Measured Response........ [But don't ignore other hypocrisy]

[Art Deco]

There have been some letters to the editor of the Daily News, an editorial in same, comments in the online versions of same, etc bewailing that Moscow last its chance for a Super WalMart, and using the closing of the Moscow WalMart as an opportunity to again libel Moscow and certain public officials as "anti-business."

Although we may never know all the details because WalMart is a private, closed corporation, the following is speculation backed by known facts.

When WalMart first proposed a Super WalMart for Pullman, there was a lot of opposition for a number of different reasons.  The proposal generated a court case, the length of which at that time was unknown with the possibility that it could go on for years.  WalMart executives not only expressed frustration at this situation, but insinuated that Pullman city officials, who ostensibly were supporting WalMart, were not being as vocal or active in their support as WalMart desired.

At this point WalMart made a proposal to locate a superstore in Moscow.  It's my guess that this was done for two reasons:  [1] A backup plan just in case the final, final court ruling went against WalMart in Pullman, and [2] a stick to encourage Pullman officials to become more active in their support for the WalMart proposal (which the officials then seemed to do).  From WalMart's point of view, proposing a Moscow store was a rational, strategic business move.

I do not believe that WalMart ever intended to build two super stores 10 miles apart in an area with demographics just marginally capable of supporting the initial proposal for the Pullman location.  Three reasons:

1.    WalMart is closing the Moscow store now;

2.    WalMart closed the Lewiston store when the Clarkston down-sized Super WalMart opened in a similar situation despite the total demographics of that area being more propitiate than the Moscow-Pullman area (considering all the outlying business Lewiston/Clarkston receives from outlying areas.)

3.    The Super WalMart now being constructed in Pullman has been downsized in area, products available, expected sales revenue, and intention to be much more "upscale."

I think that the decision to close the Moscow WalMart was made long ago, perhaps even right at the start of the Pullman proposal, and in reality had little or nothing to do with Moscow's perceived-by-some business climate.


I think it is both dishonest and hypocritical for certain pro-business people to equate opposition to certain big box stores with being "anti-business."  There are many who support robust local businesses, and who shop locally even though there are now many items available for much less cost on the internet, for example.  There are many that would support new, but smaller, more focused businesses.

And we have councilperson Walter Steed hypocritically bewailing the loss of business, jobs, and taxes revenue because the Moscow WalMart is closing.  

This is the same Walther Steed who not only pushed for the Hawkins Mall just across the Washington border, which if it had came into being would probably have had a greater adverse impact on the Moscow/Latah economies than the now to be constructed Pullman Super WalMart, but who negotiated a sweetheart water/sewer deal for Hawkins acting ostensibly as a Moscow Councilperson, and who during this entire negotiation and its aftermath never revealed his close, pre-existing ties to the Hawkins family or his close relationship to others that stood to profit from this now indefinitely cocooned project.  

Steed's attitude at that time as revealed by his actions was clearly the hell with the Moscow/Latah economies -- business, taxes, etc, and let's get it on for my friends and associates.

For the twenty years we have lived here, Walter Steed easily wins the award for being the slimiest, most hypocritical local politician.  But some of those officials, certain Moscow Business people, and political ideologues are not far behind.


Wayne A. Fox
1009 Karen Lane
PO Box 9421
Moscow, ID  83843

waf at moscow.com
208 882-7975





----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Wayne Price 
  To: Vision 2020 
  Sent: Monday, April 12, 2010 2:19 PM
  Subject: [Vision2020] A Measured Response........


  Well, now that the Walmarche' is taking their business and taxes out of state, it's time for a measured response.......  STOP BUYING THERE!
  Our elected officials already groveled and tugged their collective forelocks and that didn't work. They DO understand money.


  There are at least two financial quarters before the store here closes, and companies like Walmart only are worried about the bottom line, so hit them where it hurts.




  From Moscow Daily News:
  It’s official: Moscow Walmart to close
  April 12, 2010, 12:39 pm

  Walmart Spokesman Josh Phair said the company has decided to close its Moscow location this fall in conjunction with the opening of the Pullman super center, which is currently 

  under construction.

  The 225-250 employees at Moscow Walmart will be transferred to the new Pullman site, but Phair said he was unsure whether employees will have to go through the interview process again.

  “We wanted to ensure to our associates that whatever happens to our Moscow site that they knew that their jobs are secure,” Phair said. “So the plan is to relocate the store including all the associates.

  Phair said Walmart executives will decide in the coming months whether the Moscow site will be closed indefinitely or open again at a later date. Phair was unaware of any re-openings Walmart has had in the past.

  Walmart leaders also are considering the option of selling the Moscow building once it is closed.
  “That’s certainly one of the scenarios,” Phair said. “Like I said, nothing’s been really decided as you know, but that’s one of the options on the table.”

  The Moscow store is slated for closure on the day the Pullman super center opens. With the Moscow staff already lined up for the Pullman location’s positions, Walmart will hire about 100 new employees, rather than the 300 — 350 they previously intended on hiring.


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