California Town Blocks Wal-Mart's Expansion Plans
 Los
Angeles, Apr. 7 2004 (VOA News) -- Voters
in the California city of Inglewood have dealt
a blow to the retail giant Wal-Mart, which had
planned to build a super-store in their city.
The world's largest retailer still has aggressive
plans to expand in the region.
Inglewood voters rejected a measure Tuesday that
would have allowed the massive project but would
have exempted it from environmental reviews and
public hearings. More than 60 percent of Inglewood
voters said no to the measure, which was put on
the ballot after the local city council turned
down the project.
Wal-Mart
supporters, who include Inglewood's mayor, say
the 25-hectare complex would have brought jobs
to a city with a high unemployment rate, and
offered goods at discount prices. Wal-Mart super-centers
sell clothes, appliances, and groceries.
A
coalition of opponents, including labor unions,
local businesses, and activist Jesse Jackson,
say Wal-Mart pays low wages and offers few benefits,
and would hurt the city's existing businesses.
Wal-Mart critic Daniel Taber hopes the vote
sends the retail giant a message.
"While
we may want to shop at discount prices, we may
want to have employment opportunities for our
friends and families and seniors and young people,
we will not sacrifice our rights as citizens
and give you the opportunity to build in Inglewood
any way you choose," he said.
This
resident, however, had looked forward to shopping
at Wal-Mart, whose massive buying power allows
it to undersell competitors and offer low prices.
"I
thought it would be nice to have one here,"
he said.
The
company's loss in Inglewood may make it more
difficult when the battle moves to Los Angeles
in a few months. Some Los Angeles leaders are
drafting a proposal to ban large super-stores
from parts of their city.
Wal-Mart
plans to bring 40 super-centers to the Los Angeles
area over the next four years, as part of an
effort to move beyond its rural base into America's
big cities.
- Mike
O'Sullivan
- Voice of America in Los Angeles
--
Reprinted with the permission of Voice of America
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