Retailers' discounts come at a price for communities near and far, May 31.
This was a one-sided, negative report by an admitted nonshopper at America's finest retailer, Wal-Mart. It omits the positives of this great retailer and does not describe "the retail revolution" Wal-Mart has brought to America.
Wal-Mart became America's greatest retailer by capitalizing on the poor service, lack of merchandise in sufficient amounts and higher prices charged by those retailers engaged in the sale of these products. It entered the marketplace through the vision and perseverance of its founder, Sam Walton. He started out his development of Wal-Mart centers in the small towns of America. And he was successful because he provided mass merchandise at reasonable prices with a well-trained, courteous staff. The stores' return policy was unmatched. Customers flocked to these new stores. Wal-Mart developed an unmatched distribution system, and the march to conquer new markets began.
Side benefits arose. Stable employment opportunities became available, with great benefits. Additional retailers grew up nearby so the customers found it easier to shop in and around Wal-Mart. Almost everyone prospered with the introduction of Wal-Mart to America - most of all, the customer.
How easy it is to criticize Wal-Mart for being too large, the building having "the charm of a shoe box... " and having too many locations. The building is the most easily recognized symbol of discount retailing in America, and it is functional in displaying large amounts of merchandise. It is needed to perform the mission of mass retailing. How many stores do they need? Enough so the public will keep welcoming them and voting on their popularity with dollars spent.
Hats off to Wal-Mart, and may you keep growing in all areas of the country where your operation is permitted. You have started a retail revolution and I, for one, am proud to be a customer.
-- Victor Wood, Indian Rocks Beach
"Not in my neighborhood'
Re: Retailers' discounts come at a price for communities near and far.
Mary Jo Melone got it right. When it comes to Wal-Mart, my philosophy is similar to the standard reaction of residents threatened with a prison or juvenile detention center being built in close proximity to their homes: "Not in my neighborhood."
I admit that I am willing to drive five miles to save money on paper and cleaning products at the nearest Wal-Mart, but I sure don't want one anywhere near my subdivision with its ever-increasing property values. The store is ugly, the parking lot is unkempt and the congestion is mind-numbing.
Pinellas has been paving over paradise for decades. It's refreshing to see other communities finally stepping up and saying "Enough." We can't keep squandering what's left of this precious land. How many giant warehouses do we really need in one county?
-- Christine R. Vaughn, Belleair Bluffs
More Wal-Marts are welcome
Re: Retailers' discounts come at a price for communities near and far.
Mary Jo Melone's bashing of Wal-Mart is not only biased, it is filled with gross inaccuracies. Her statement, "The motor oil and baby clothes, the canned goods and the eggs, all mashed together" is wrong. Items are grouped logically and nothing is "mashed together."
She states, "I have no idea if I saved money." She did, but it appears that she is not an aware shopper.
She quotes Dr. Tom Dawson of Citrus County: "Why do they insist on forcing themselves even though people don't want them?" If people did not want them, they would not be packed with shoppers both day and night.
For those who think that we don't need more Wal-Marts, they should try shopping at the one in Pinellas Park. There are so many customers that the place is packed day and night and it is difficult to find a parking place in their "endless" (per Ms. Melone) parking. I would welcome another Wal-Mart in the area.
Ms. Melone seems to have missed the whole point of our American way of capitalism. Business success comes from offering people what they want at the best price. Wal-Mart is certainly a model of business success.
No, I am not an employee of Wal-Mart and I have no financial interest in its operation. I am merely an occasional customer.
-- Arthur M. Richard, St. Petersburg
Tax break's target doesn't suit Bush
Re: Officials fear new property tax chop, May 30.
Amazing - a tax break that a Bush doesn't like! How could this happen? Simple: It would help the average person as much as the wealthy one.
Gov. Jeb Bush has happily given away billions of dollars in state revenue by cutting taxes for large corporations and wealthy taxpayers, yet says he has "real concerns" about this tax cut.
Sure, a minuscule amount of Bush's cuts have dribbled down to the average Floridian in intangible taxes, the sales-tax holidays or the much-publicized gas-tax holiday that I figure will save me less than $5. The fact is the average Floridian has received peanuts, while the filet mignon has been served to a very few.
Just like every other tax cut, the lost revenue will need to be made up elsewhere by increasing other taxes or, as the gutless politicians do, increasing fees. One way would be to change the "Save Our Homes" amendment, which caps the increase in a home's assessed value at 3 percent per year. While this percentage cap saves most homeowners $100 or less, some homeowners save thousands of dollars. A dollar cap would be more equitable and would help to offset an increase in the homestead exemption.
Unlike the tax cuts initiated by Gov. Bush and President Bush, at least with this tax cut, the average person will receive a benefit that might offset what the politicians take out of their other pocket.
-- Daniel Favero, St. Petersburg
Everyone should pay a fair share
The idea of a $50,000 homestead exemption is unrealistic. It will result either in higher taxes or reduction of services or both. I believe every homeowner should pay taxes. Everyone receives services that are paid for through the ad valorum taxes and everyone should pay their fair share.
A better idea would be to tax the first $25,000 for every homeowner and then if we must have a homestead exemption, have it become effective after the $25,000. In this manner, everyone has a fair share in paying for the services they receive.
If this $50,000 homestead exemption should get on the ballot in November, please vote No!
-- Ira Mitlin, St. Petersburg
Pinellas promotion misses reality
I have followed closely the Times series on cultural/racial gaps in learning. The articles were informative and objective. The authors clearly stated the role of teachers in bringing these children up to baseline performance. Studies indicate early intervention is the only way to accomplish this.
The public must recognize this responsibility and pay teachers accordingly. Pinellas County spending must be realigned. The May 30 article, $7-million storyteller mystifies Pinellas, prompted me to write this letter. What is the point of promoting this county, enticing businesses and families to move here, when this area is sadly lacking quality support services such as adequately funded schools and teachers?
Another Times article, Consumer spending and pay both rise (May 29), states that American incomes rose in April by a strong 0.6 percent. Teachers voted down a contract that would lead to a net decrease in salary after the rise of health insurance premiums. I work with many single, head-of-household teachers. How can they keep up with the economics of rising gas prices and the upward trends in consumer goods?
We read and synthesize data and the only logical conclusion is to ask Pinellas County to try again. Slogans to promote highest student achievement are meaningless unless funded.
-- Margaret Golay, Palm Harbor
Let the consultant do commission's job
Re: $7-million storyteller mystifies Pinellas, by Michael Sandler.
Maybe the voters would be better off if they fired the Pinellas County commissioners and hired the consultant to do their jobs. He seems to be doing them now. It's no wonder the voters want a tax cut.
-- Sam Ciatto, Zephyrhills
Let's expand stem-cell research
As a pharmacist and diabetes educator, I'd like to thank Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite for joining with more than 200 members of Congress recently in urging President Bush to expand the federal stem-cell policy.
Embryonic stem cells are special cells that can develop into every type of cell in the human body, and may prove useful in developing cures for a wide range of diseases. The stem cells are created from frozen embryos in fertility clinics, donated by couples that no longer want or need the embryo because they have finished with their fertility treatments. If not donated for research, the frozen embryos would otherwise be discarded.
In August of 2001, the Bush administration announced that federal funding would be available for limited embryonic stem-cell research, on just a few stem-cell lines that were developed before that date. Researchers are now saying that this policy is insufficient to advance this research to find possible cures and that President Bush should expand it to allow access to additional stem-cell lines.
A recent poll showed that two-thirds of voters support an expansion of this policy. Rep. Brown-Waite's support for this position means the world to me and the more than 100-million Americans who suffer from diseases that may one day be helped by expanded embryonic stem-cell research.
-- David Joffe, St. Petersburg
Gun control vs. vehicle control
Re: A liberal lashing, letter, May 25.
The writer states, "The debate between conservatives and liberals regarding licensing of firearms is not about gun control, it is about licensing firearms. "Gun control' is a propaganda term. Is automobile licensing "vehicle control?' "
A fair question. Here's my answer. Nobody as yet is advocating confiscation of my licensed SUV. However, some liberal groups and some politicians do advocate outlawing or confiscating my legally owned firearm. Therein lies the difference!
We need look no further than England, Australia or any nation that has licensed, then subsequently declared the very same "licensed" firearms illegal. A list of licensed owners is an easy route to confiscation.
-- Don Frank, St. Petersburg
Good news about a celebrity's child
Re: Song in her heart, Hulk at her side, May 27.
Daily the local newspaper is war, murder, drugs, yada, yada! It was so refreshing to see featured a celebrity's child who was not going or coming from drug rehab, not speeding or involved in a hit and run. At last a real girl with a real, although bigger than life, father, going for her dream.
Terry Bollea, a.k.a. Hulk Hogan, has been a quiet, respectful resident of the area all of his life. We thank him and his family for living here in a peaceful, respectable manner.
It's not easy being a superstar, especially when you are so physically recognizable. From all the parents of this village, I say, thank you, Linda, Terry and family for setting the bar high enough to be a challenge but still obtainable. Good luck with your daughter's singing career.
-- Marie F. Hoke-Singer, Largo
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