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<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Jeff.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>I assume you’re joking when you say
</span></font><font color=black><span style='color:black'>“I suspect
their stats are probably reliable, as the consequences of being wrong would
bring swift retribution.”</span></font><font color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-family:Arial;color:black'> I doubt that Wal-Mart has any fear
of retribution as evidenced by the more than 5,000 lawsuits currently pending
against them dealing with a wide variety of unethical practices including
discrimination against women, hiring undocumented aliens and paying them less
than $3/hour, wide-spread inflated scanner settings, forcing associates to work
“off the time clock,” etc. Obviously a few slanted facts are
not a big deal to them. The Wal-Mart website also contains profound
statements like </span></font><b><font color=black><span style='color:black;
font-weight:bold'>“</span></font></b><strong><b><font color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='color:black;font-weight:normal'>Wal-Mart
does not encourage our associates to apply for public assistance.”</span></font></b></strong><strong><b><font
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></strong></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><strong><b><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;font-weight:normal'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></strong></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><strong><b><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;font-weight:normal'>Perhaps
researching a little further into the numbers would reveal that the $9.20 an
hour average wage includes truck drivers. Apparently Wal-Mart has been
unable to monopolize the trucking industry, YET. If truck drivers are
removed from the average wages the remaining workers, including management, average
around $8.20 an hour and less than one-third qualify or can afford health
insurance. The “living wage” in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Moscow</st1:place></st1:City> is around $10.50 an hour plus
benefits. $10.50 an hour is the level where workers are able to “maintain.”
More than that usually indicates workers are able to contribute to the
community. Less than that and the worker needs assistance to survive.
The relative size of Wal-Mart and its projected impact on <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Moscow</st1:place></st1:City> as the second largest employer paying
less than living wage jobs is a big concern.<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></strong></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><strong><b><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;font-weight:normal'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></strong></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><strong><b><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;font-weight:normal'>Regarding
buying from <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:State>
vendors, a further look will reveal Wal-Mart’s usual predatory
practices. I personally know a small <st1:place w:st="on">Northern Idaho</st1:place>
business who was delighted to get a contract from Wal-Mart. But the contract
included not paying for goods for 120 days. That means four months
without payment or interest, while having to pay workers and inventory costs on
much shorter terms. Then, Wal-Mart wanted more and more goods until
Wal-Mart was buying 90% of the small businesses goods and still demanding more.
Then, Wal-Mart started ratcheting down the price, and still on 120 day
terms. The small business nearly went broke before they realized Wal-Mart
was controlling them and breaking them. <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:State> is a very honest, trusting
culture. Sometimes to our detriment.<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></strong></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><strong><b><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;font-weight:normal'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></strong></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><strong><b><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;font-weight:normal'>There
are currently around 70 jobs in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Alturas</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Technology</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Park</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
paying an average of $24.00 an hour plus benefits. You will find these
people on many contributor lists throughout <st1:City w:st="on">Moscow</st1:City>,
including Latah Trail, Kenworthy, IRP, <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Prichard</st1:place></st1:City>,
etc. Rezoning the land on the eastern boundary of Alturas for Wal-Mart
will severely restrict the ability to expand <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Alturas</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Technology</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Park</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> and continue to attract
businesses that actually contribute to the community instead of sucking it dry.<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></strong></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><strong><b><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;font-weight:normal'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></strong></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><strong><b><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;font-weight:normal'>B. J.
Swanson <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></strong></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
vision2020-bounces@moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces@moscow.com] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Jeff Harkins<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Saturday, November 26, 2005
6:11 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> vision2020@moscow.com<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [Vision2020] Data about
WalMart Impact in <st1:State w:st="on">Idaho</st1:State> and <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:State> Wages</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
9.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<h1 style='margin-bottom:24.0pt'><b><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:9.0pt'>Here is an excerpt from the WalMart website. I
suspect their stats are probably reliable, as the consequences of being wrong
would bring swift retribution.<br>
<br>
Of particular note is the average wage of $ 9.20 and the fact that WalMart
employs 6,774 people in the state. At a wage rate of $9.20 and an assumed
work year of 2080 hours the average annual wage is $19,136. <br>
<br>
Here is a link to the data for wages for all occupational groups in <st1:place
w:st="on">North Idaho</st1:place>. The stats are as of May, 2005.
The stats are quite robust and should provide you with hours of fun as you
compare your current wage with the state average. Here is the link to the
data: <a
href="http://lmi.idaho.gov/admin/uploadedPublications/3753_north_idaho.pdf"
eudora=autourl>http://lmi.idaho.gov/admin/uploadedPublications/3753_north_idaho.pdf</a>
. If you want info about education jobs, you will need to go to Appendix
C of the report. If you have trouble finding that link, please advise and
I will provide it.<br>
You can download the data.<br>
<br>
Other points of interest include spending almost $185 million with <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:State> suppliers -
supporting 15,934 supplier jobs.<br>
<br>
<br>
<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:State>
Community Impact<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></h1>
<h3><b><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>Real
Estate <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></h3>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
9.0pt'>Wal-Mart's presence in <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:State>
includes: <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<h4><b><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>Stores,
Clubs, Distribution Centers and other facilities (as of October2005)<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></h4>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=1
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>Supercenters: 14<br>
Discount Stores: 3<br>
Neighborhood markets: 0<br>
SAM'S CLUBS: 1<br>
Distribution Centers: 0<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Average store size (national average)</span></b>
<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Supercenter</span></b>: 186,077 sq. ft. with
approx. 116,000 items <br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Discount Store</span></b>: 98,079 sq. ft.
with approx. 62,500 items <br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Neighborhood Market</span></b>: 42,286 sq.
ft. with approx. 38,845 items <br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>SAM'S CLUB</span></b>: 127,776 sq. ft. with
approx. 6,000 items <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<h4 style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:9.0pt'> <br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></h4>
<h3 style='margin-bottom:13.5pt'><b><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:9.0pt'>People<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></h3>
<h4><b><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>Employment
Facts<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></h4>
<ul type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:9.0pt'>In <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:State>,
the total number of Wal-Mart associates is 6,774 (as of October 2005). <o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:9.0pt'>The average wage for regular full-time hourly
associates in <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:State>
is $9.20 per hour (Wal-Mart Discount Stores, Supercenters and Neighborhood
Markets). Additionally, associates are eligible for performance-based
bonuses. <o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:9.0pt'>In recent years, Wal-Mart has contributed four
percent of an associate's eligible pay to their combined Profit Sharing
and 401(k) Plan. <o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
</ul>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
9.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<h3><b><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>Suppliers<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></h3>
<ul type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:12.0pt;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:9.0pt'>In 2004, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. spent $184,548,727
for merchandise and services with 335 suppliers in the state of <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:State>. As a result
of Wal-Mart's relationship with these suppliers, Wal-Mart supports 15,934
supplier jobs in the state of <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:State>.
<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><i><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:9.0pt;font-style:italic'>Supplier figures provided by Dun
& Bradstreet </span></font></i><font size=1><span style='font-size:
9.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
</ul>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
9.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<h3><b><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>Taxes
and Fees<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></h3>
<ul type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l3 level1 lfo3'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:9.0pt'>Wal-Mart collected on behalf of the state of <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:State> more than
$68.3 million in sales taxes in 2004 <o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l3 level1 lfo3'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:9.0pt'>Wal-Mart paid more than $9.8 million in state and
local taxes in the state of <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:State>
in 2004. <o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
</ul>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
9.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<h3><b><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>Community
Involvement<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></h3>
<ul type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:9.0pt'>In 2004, Wal-Mart Stores and SAM'S CLUB gave
$753,242 to local causes and organizations in the communities they serve
in the state of <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:State>.
In addition, many charities and organizations received in-kind donations
and additional funds raised through stores and CLUBS in the amount of
$219,492, for a grand total of $972,734 contributed through Wal-Mart's
presence across the state. <o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:9.0pt'>Examples of some of the efforts in <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:State> that our
company made in 2004 to reach out to the community include: <o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<ul type=circle>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:
auto;mso-list:l2 level2 lfo4'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:9.0pt'>Safe Neighborhood Heroes Grants: $39,250 <o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:
auto;mso-list:l2 level2 lfo4'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:9.0pt'>Literacy Grants: $30,250 <o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:
auto;mso-list:l2 level2 lfo4'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:9.0pt'>Community Scholarships: $33,000 <o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:
auto;mso-list:l2 level2 lfo4'><font size=1 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:9.0pt'>Teacher of the Year Grants: $27,000 <o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
</ul>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4'><st1:State w:st="on"><font size=1
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>Idaho</span></font></st1:State><font
size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>'s 2004 Teacher of the Year is Conr</span></font>ad
<font size=1><span style='font-size:9.0pt'>Garner from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Bonners</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Ferry</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">High School</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> in
Bonners Ferry.</span></font> <o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
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