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Letters to the EditorsWhy do we need another Wal-Mart?© St. Petersburg Times published October 9, 2002 Editor: Why do we need another Wal-Mart Supercenter in Holiday? There is one 5 miles north on U.S. 19, and there is another one 5 miles east on State Road 54. This makes no sense to me unless Wal-Mart's plan is to put all small business out of business. Talk about greedy capitalists! I for one will avoid shopping at Wal-Mart until I don't have any other choice. I remember a story about Bishop McLaughlin High School that was in trouble because of the effect it would have on U.S. 19 traffic. What do they think a Wal-Mart Supercenter will do for traffic?
Wal-Mart shouldn't be the only show in our townEditor: This is just what the area needs -- another Wal-Mart Supercenter. This store, along with the two existing supercenters, will form a perfect triangle which, in due time, will put all the other stores out of business. No more Publix, Winn-Dixie or Kash n' Karry in Holiday. It could even affect the Publix in Southgate. Yes, upon completion they will hire 500 people, but as the other stores start to lose money, people will lose their jobs there. Some stores are hurting already from the two supercenters we already have in west Pasco. Can the area support three and other businesses, too? I don't think so. I like a choice and do not want to see Wal-Mart as the only show in town. What power we give the Walton family that they can control all prices in the triangle of west Pasco County. Look at what has happened in Port Richey. It can't afford its police department because Wal-Mart wants every shoplifter arrested and prosecuted. Can the Pasco Sheriff's Office handle three supercenters and all the arrests? Who will pay for new deputies? Wal-Mart will add to the tax base, but when everyone in the triangle goes out of business, all the revenue will be lost. Are county commissioners listening?
County isn't taking good care of its rural residentsEditor: We have chosen to live in a rural area of northern Land O'Lakes, also known as Gowers Corner. However, we are being denied various amenities that are taken for granted by other residents of Land O'Lakes because of our location and our unpaved roads. We cannot get cable because the cable company has chosen not to come into our area. If they are going to service a community, I should think they would service the entire community. If it boils down to being considered Land O'Lakes in mailing address only, then where do we live? What community are we a part of? Are we stuck in limbo? The roads are not maintained by the county and, therefore, are unpaved and filled with potholes. When it rains, the road is a mess. The holes fill with water and the remaining road is a mush of mud. We cannot even get a newspaper delivered on a regular basis. I have my elderly mother living with me and twice I have had to call 911. The emergency vehicles must take their time driving down our roads, time that could mean the difference between life and death. We have had merchandise delivered to us only to find they will not come down our road and, therefore, we must drive up to State Road 52 to get our deliveries. I have been told by various companies (telephone, cable, etc.) that they will not service this area because it is sparsely populated. So, that's what it boils down to -- money. They don't believe it is cost-effective to supply decent service to people who have chosen a rural lifestyle. I hardly think that is fair. It seems the county and its businesses are more concerned about the populated areas and don't give two hoots about the more rural areas. They talk about how Pasco County is growing, but have they really toured the whole county to see just how much is not growing due to lack of services? It appears we have been forgotten.
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From today's Pasco Times Editorial Letters |
