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Carnegie Forum overflows with members of the community, both pro- and anti-Wal-Mart Supercenter, as Darrel Broman addresses the Lodi Planning Commission board on Wednesday night. (Dan Evans/News-Sentinel)

High tension at Lodi Wal-Mart meeting

Commission votes to deny certification of Final Revised Environmental Impact Report for Supercenter

By Marc Lutz
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
Thursday, October 9, 2008 6:33 AM PDT

Comments (60 comment(s))

Tensions ran high at a meeting over five years in the making Wednesday night. When all was finished, the Wal-Mart corporation suffered a loss as the Lodi Planning Commission voted 5 to 1 (with commission member Tim Mattheis recusing himself) to deny the certification of the Final Revised Environmental Impact Report of the retail giant's proposed Supercenter project.

Carnegie Forum was the scene of passionate discourse as a packed room of more than 100 people argued the pros and cons of the project. Most speaking to the Planning Commission voiced a dislike for Wal-Mart's Supercenter proposal, with a smattering of those in favor of the project.

With the denial of the FREIR, the Wal-Mart project will more than likely face an appeal that would then take the report to the Lodi City Council for review.

The commission was presented with the revised impact report by Community Development Director Rad Bartlam and city staff with a recommendation to certify the EIR, basically giving the project a "go" status. The Wal-Mart Supercenter, which would essentially develop 40 acres on the southwest corner of Lower Sacramento Road and Kettleman Lane, would occupy 340,000 square feet. Twelve additional business spaces would occupy the remaining areas.

"In 2004, I made the recommendation to the council to approve this project. Virtually nothing has changed in that recommendation," Bartlam said after giving an overview of the revised report.

Planning Commission members were then compelled to consider a few elements of the EIR, which was found adequate by city staff in all areas except for energy usage, agricultural impact, urban decay or blight, and project alternatives and objectives.

Of the concerns voiced by Planning Commission members, Randall Heinitz, a local business owner, wanted to be assured that the existing Wal-Mart building would be occupied, and he was also unsatisfied with answers as to why Wal-Mart needed a new space, rather than enhancing its current location.


Nate Stephan holds a "Vote No!" sign against a glass barrier at Carnegie Forum during the Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday. Stephan is opposed to a Wal-Mart Supercenter being built in Lodi. (Dan Evans/News-Sentinel)

"I think we're very fortunate that we have the Wal-Mart that we have," Heinitz said in a somewhat terse questioning of Aaron Rios, the Senior Manager of Wal-Mart Public Affairs. "Why not update the current Wal-Mart?"

Rios and project developer Darryl Broman cited many of the benefits a Supercenter would bring to Lodi, part of which was $400,000 in property tax revenue. Broman also pointed out that many of his properties in Lodi have had a 90 to 95 percent tenant occupancy rate.

Wal-Mart has to fulfill many conditions in order to gain approval of their project, one of which is finding new tenants for their existing space. That space is owned by Broman Development Company, and that requirement would fall to that entity.

Another condition is that Wal-Mart spend no less than $700,000 on a Downtown Lodi investment, which could take the form of a property purchase. That investment (which was put in place to offset any impact on Downtown businesses) would have to occur in less than 7.5 years. Commission member Dave Kirsten took issue with that requirement. He wondered what would keep Wal-Mart from purchasing a property, then turning around and selling it.

A parade of concerned citizens then appealed to the commission as to why the FREIR should be approved or denied certification. Many cited a closure of existing businesses as a con, while several seniors and Wal-Mart employees touted the ability to shop in one location as a pro.

After a session that lasted from 7 to past 11 p.m., the Planning Commission voted not to certify the FREIR. The five dissenting members cited a lack of information to make a decision. Since Mattheis' wife is an attorney for Wal-Mart, he recused himself from the session and voting.

Not voted on was the approval of the use permit allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages by the Supercenter, a tentative map of the project and the architectural approval of the proposed new location. By doing that, the commission members were informed by Bartlam and special counsel to the city Jonathan Hobbs that they could basically review those requests at a later time.

Bartlam said that if the commission had approved the certification of the FREIR, groundbreaking on the Supercenter could have taken place as early as November.

Contact Business Editor Marc Lutz at marcl@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

Lodian wrote on Oct 15, 2008 9:29 AM:

" Watch the clips online...
...

PBS Frontline: Is Wal-Mart Good for America?

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/

... "

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essayjay wrote on Oct 14, 2008 8:56 PM:

" Hey Council, Instead of a WlMart why don't you get something built in that parking garage that will bring in some income. How long has it sat there and now we're buyilding what? a WOW? World of WONDERS? The whole street is a world of wondres. In fact redevelopment needs to come to Main St. and that whole Area. How many Ware Houses are sitting Vacant. How about the building burned down two years ago right across from the "nontransportation" hub. Ho about the bulinding that burned down on Lockeford and Sacto St. and vacant lot next to it.
The very Northe End of School St.? Vacant Lot, Church St. and Lockeford? Vacant Lot? How many empty building are there in that area? Go over to whichever shopping area, vacant stores, and you are going through with or still considering WalMart? Get your head out of the Sand or elsewhere!!!! Put the money into encouraging the city's infrastructure and quit encouraging spread into new buildings. then all you are doing is encouraging decay. There should be no more growth towards I5 and Grupe and Spanos and no more growth East Build up and build over. "

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essayjay wrote on Oct 14, 2008 8:45 PM:

" Where's that Chinese clay warrior "replica" sent to us from China? They can put it in front of the new WalMart as the apprpriate symbol of suburban sprawl and over-consumerism that is enveloping our neck of the country. Thisw isn't about Downtown. It's about "we don't need one more frickin' tilt up ugly shopping center selling a bunch of junk we already have. Our garages are full. Our houses are full, the land fills are full, get that thing out of here and take it back to Spanos and his buddies and quit buiding crap on the best farmland in the world. Get it? No you don't do you? Well some day you are going to be buying all you food from some third world country. And growing wine grapes on it isn't growing food either, you bunch of yuppy farmers!!!! "

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Cogito wrote on Oct 14, 2008 7:42 PM:

" Those who assume that Lodi's Super Wal Mart will look like Stocktons obviously havent compared Stockton's Target to Lodi's. If you went into Stockton's Target previous to Lodi's being built, you wouldn't have wanted one of those either. "

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Lodian wrote on Oct 14, 2008 4:12 PM:

" citizen wrote on Oct 14, 2008 2:59 PM:

" Extra burden on police? okay now I have heard it all. Like I said screeching, annoying minority. "

citizen: Don't be so ignorant. Why would you think that a SWM doesn't put in calls for service from the local police department? Maybe you should do some research because you are wrong. Maybe check out the SWM, just a few miles away from Lodi, which is in Stockton. Then come back and tell me they don't add to the burden of their local police department. "

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citizen wrote on Oct 14, 2008 2:59 PM:

" Extra burden on police? okay now I have heard it all. Like I said screeching, annoying minority. "

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Observer wrote on Oct 14, 2008 7:38 AM:

" dyan....if you're not careful that tongue of yours will become permanently implanted in your check. I understand it can be very painful. "

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Lodian wrote on Oct 14, 2008 12:53 AM:

" dyan: A "lib" is the last thing I would call you. LOL! "

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dyan wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:57 PM:

" You're right, Lodian. Now that I'm a lib, we agree on just about everything.
Keep Walmart out. Instead, help the little business guy by forcing increases in minimum wage, requiring he buy health insurance for employees, and whatever he has left, tax everything from the county, to the city, to the state, to the feds! "

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Lodian wrote on Oct 13, 2008 1:44 PM:

" dyan wrote on Oct 13, 2008 1:20 PM:

" We don't need a supersized Wal-Mart."

I agree.

You see there, dyan, we can agree on something. "

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dyan wrote on Oct 13, 2008 1:20 PM:

" We don't need a supersized Wal-Mart. The tons of tax money that would be generated would just be wasted on another parking garage out in left field by the City Council. "

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Lodian wrote on Oct 12, 2008 7:58 PM:

" citizen: You think that the SWM is going to bring only good to Lodi and employ people. You are wrong. There are going to be plenty of negatives that come with a SWM. Besides the crime and filth there is also the added burden to our police and more. "

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Lodian wrote on Oct 12, 2008 7:54 PM:

" commonsense1 wrote on Oct 12, 2008 4:40 PM:

" Citizen....You hit the nail on the head. Those at the meeting represent a very small minority of our community. They just whine a lot. "

And I'm glad they thought it important enough to take time out of their day to address this important issue. "

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commonsense1 wrote on Oct 12, 2008 4:40 PM:

" Citizen....You hit the nail on the head. Those at the meeting represent a very small minority of our community. They just whine a lot. "

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citizen wrote on Oct 12, 2008 9:12 AM:

" Oh I dont know Mainframe why dont you tell me what other business could possibly employ the amount of people Wal-Mart could or contribute the amount of tax money they would? Just any one, just name one. It would take hundreds of these so called better business combined to even come close to the tax revenue Wal-Mart would create for this city. Yea maybe more anti Wal-Mart people were at that meeting because the majority of the pro people have lives and jobs to deal with, and cant spend all day screeching and complaining about a store we have already voted for. "

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Mainframe wrote on Oct 12, 2008 1:12 AM:

" citizen: I am kinda curious. What stores don't hire anyone and don't pay taxes? I think the numbers saying NO to super walmart are greater than the yes people. I hear it looked that way at the meeting last wednesday too. "

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Lodian wrote on Oct 11, 2008 2:32 PM:

" citizen: I have already posted answers to your questions. And again, no I do not work at a grocery store. "

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citizen wrote on Oct 11, 2008 9:32 AM:

" So Lodian in your previous post you ask cant Lodi attract better businesses than SWM. Well what are your suggestions? Who exactly would want to come to Lodi after the way the annoying minority has handled this wal mart situation. I am talking about actual big business that create jobs and tax revenue, not little nothing stores that hire no one and contribute no tax revenues. So do you work at Raleys, Smart Foods, or Safeway? "

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Lodian wrote on Oct 11, 2008 12:35 AM:

" citizen wrote "I think it's funny how all you people claim you would never shop at Wal-Mart, but you all know exactly what its like in the Lodi and Stockton stores."

citizen: It's easy to explain. These are people that make informed decisions. They know exactly what they are talking about! "

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SportsGuru wrote on Oct 10, 2008 12:37 PM:

" .
Congratulations to those who lobbied against the new Supercenter.

Everyone in Lodi can expect a tax increase to cover the additional money the city needs to cover Lodi's inadequate financial planning.

Instead of more revenue through sales tax, the city will get more revenue through increased fees and taxes on you - the citizens of Lodi. "

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citizen wrote on Oct 10, 2008 9:06 AM:

" To: edumacation, What exactly does you post mean with you talking about buying a house and the dancing pickle etc? Did I say I needed a job. Did you read the post? Please dont drink and type. I think it's funny how all you people claim you would never shop at Wal-Mart, but you all know exactly what its like in the Lodi and Stockton stores. I love Wal-Mart. If you dont like it, DONT GO THERE. Is that so hard? "

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Lodian wrote on Oct 9, 2008 11:03 PM:

" Citzen wrote "This is Lodi not Stockton. Life is a little bit different here than in Stockton if you haven't noticed."

Citizen: SWM will chip away at Lodi even further. It's hard enough to hold on to a charming town, but allow a SWM and there goes the neighborhood. Just look at Stockton. The Stockton SWM is a prime example of city regret, but once there the city cannot get rid of the pest. "

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Neo wrote on Oct 9, 2008 7:33 PM:

" Wal-mart is a garbage corporation that sells garbage and looks like garbage!You Wal-Mart garbage guys need to go find a different city to trash! Thank God the Planning Commission has its head on straight!!!!!!!! "

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edumacation wrote on Oct 9, 2008 5:46 PM:

" What is a big deal about the threee ayeamigoes? "

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T & C wrote on Oct 9, 2008 5:12 PM:

" Oh Lord! Now edumacation is on the GOB controlled Candidate frenzy type paranoia! Lord help us all! "

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Patricia wrote on Oct 9, 2008 5:03 PM:

" Citzen wrote:This is Lodi not Stockton. Life is a little bit different here than in Stockton if you haven't noticed. "

Exactly! And I would like it to stay that way! The current Wal-Mart could be renovated to accomodate those who like to shop Wal-Mart. We do not need the big box. "

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Vickster wrote on Oct 9, 2008 4:32 PM:

" To Old Crow...Lodi already has it both ways...They HAVE a Wal-Mart! "

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edumacation wrote on Oct 9, 2008 4:31 PM:

" To Citizen. I have an idea. They are hiring people to stand in the street with those Real Estate--- "NOW IS THE BEST TIME TO BUY" arrow signs in GALT. They are looking for people like Mr Pickles to dance while carrying the signs. If you want , go buy a house instead. I hear that "today" is the best time to buy. LOL "

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edumacation wrote on Oct 9, 2008 4:28 PM:

" To 4aStrongLodi: What wrong with "Union people"? Today, even attorneys, engineers, physicians and nurses are unionized. The only people I know that aren't unionized are the GOB, Realtors and mortgage loan officers. But, I guess they don't need a union? "

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edumacation wrote on Oct 9, 2008 4:24 PM:

" To Old Crow: Whats wrong with Raleys or Safeway? I shop there all the time. "

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edumacation wrote on Oct 9, 2008 4:22 PM:

" To Lodian I have three for most cuts:
Lakewood meats, Fioris Butcher block and Lockeford meat and sausage. I know a meat cutter at Apple who I also have cut roasts. "

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4AStrongLodi wrote on Oct 9, 2008 4:22 PM:

" It was mostly union people there last night. They are a minority and don't speak for the majority of Lodi.

Call or email your CC person and tell them you want the Super Wal-Mart built. They will have the final say. "

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caveman wrote on Oct 9, 2008 3:52 PM:

" Then do something about it citizen. Were you at the meeting last night? Did you speak in favor of WM? The majority of the people at the meeting were against it. I was there and I invoked my constitutional right to speak against this big mistake. If you are so disgusted, do something about it. That's how politics work. In this case the worm finally turned. "

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citizen wrote on Oct 9, 2008 3:18 PM:

" Oh and all of you "concerned citizens" that keep saying "just look at what the stockton Super Wal-Mart is like." What do you think the McDonalds is like in stockton, how bout the Target, or the Mall, the Movies, etc. This is Lodi not Stockton. Life is a little bit different here than in Stockton if you haven't noticed. "

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citizen wrote on Oct 9, 2008 3:13 PM:

" All these anti Wal-Mart people are the minority in Lodi. They are only noticed because the are the loudest and most annoying people in town. We voted on this long ago so lets build it. If we voted again on it, it would pass again. Since when is filling your empty building ever been required before you move out. Shouldnt everyone be required to play by the same rules. So I guess this is just a special Wal-Mart only rule. You people are an embaressment to Lodi. God the rest of the city is just sick of you. "

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oldcrow wrote on Oct 9, 2008 3:02 PM:

" All of you people that are against Wal-Mart and Big Box I would assume then you are also against, Taco Bell, Cheveron, Target, Safeway, Raley's, McDonalds, Borders Bookstore, Starbucks etc....You can't have it both ways. "

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Lodian wrote on Oct 9, 2008 2:46 PM:

" SWM = garbage in garbage out. "

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Lodian wrote on Oct 9, 2008 2:45 PM:

" edumacation: What butcher do you use? "

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dogs4you wrote on Oct 9, 2008 2:02 PM:

" Pal perhaps you have your music so loud since you can`t hear it at a normal level. Maybe all those years of listening to music that is dialed up as high as it will go has taken away your normal hearing, and is taking the hearing of the youth of today from listening to music much louder than normal. Ask any ear Doctor if your want the real results. Give yourself another 5 years and at this level you will have to learn sign language. Do you find yourself saying "what" allot? Normal people in their 40`s have gone by that "big amp" faze of their life. "

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4AStrongLodi wrote on Oct 9, 2008 1:59 PM:

" What does musical taste have to do with building a Super Wal-Mart?

Like most people in Lodi, you all fail to focus on the real issues. "

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edumacation wrote on Oct 9, 2008 1:57 PM:

" To 4aStrongLodi: Who is talking about music? I never said the word. If Boom boom boom boom is music thats news to me. Please tell me what race has to do with boom boom? I couldn't see the driver because the windows were shaking so hard and was heavily tinted. As for the lowest common denominator shoppers. I haven't seen it in my 'hood. Do you live in the proposed RDA area? Economics? What are you talking about, I shop mostly from Lodi merchants, and see good deals all the time in supermarkets. I am on my way to Raleys for another sale. I have never seen the products I buy in a SuperWalmart. But if you like to prepare your own meals, there are excellent grocery stores to select from. Even on minimal staple diet of bags of rice, flour and dry legumes (beans) you can get excellent deals. I like local butchers who have good cuts but also competitive prices. If you want rib eye steaks cut them from standing rib roasts to save 50%. "

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Lodian wrote on Oct 9, 2008 1:34 PM:

" PAL wrote on Oct 9, 2008 12:56 PM:

" As far as the loud music goes, I am a caucasion women in my 40's who loves rap music..."

You are an extreme minority...and I think you know that. "

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Lodian wrote on Oct 9, 2008 1:32 PM:

" It's simple. Lodi does not "need" a Super Wal-Mart. If a SWM is allowed to be built in Lodi there is no turning back. We can't just try it on for size and then return it if it doesn't fit. Visiting the Stockton SWM is the best way to actually "see" what will happen in Lodi if we allow this huge dumpy monstrosity to take over. I sure don't want this to happen to my hometown. Can't we attract better businesses than SWM? And once the SWM is here, what businesses (desirable businesses) will we then attract? Lodi wants to promote itself as a lovely little wine town where people can stop by and do some wine tasting and visit a nice charming town. For residents and businesses to visitors, SWM is a bad idea all around. "

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PAL wrote on Oct 9, 2008 12:56 PM:

" As far as the loud music goes, I am a caucasion women in my 40's who loves rap music along with many others. you will hear my car thumping Snoop, Justin Timberlake, Shania Twain, the soundtrack from Hairspray and Grease 2, along with many many others. I like my music loud so I cant hear myself sing...lol. So are you insinuating there are a lot of old white women driving around the Stockton Walmart parking lot?? "

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PAL wrote on Oct 9, 2008 12:49 PM:

" You can not compare shopping in Lodi to Stockton. Would I feel safe at night shopping at Safeway or Target in Stockton? No. So why compare the 2 Walmarts? For those of you who say you shop at Target instead, the prices are higher,they only have 1/2 of what Walmart does and they are not any cleaner than Walmart in either city. I wish Walmart would say forget it Lodi, we will shut down our exsisting store. Then you will have to shop in Stockton. With todays gas prices I need Walmart and I am sure there are many more that do. "

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dogs4you wrote on Oct 9, 2008 12:31 PM:

" Concerning a remark about loud music in Stockton`s WalMart, if you have been there and heard that, you would know what the poster is taking about. There`s an old statement that goes, you can`t please all the people all the time, but you sure can piss them off. All these posts pretty much explane what I just wrote. "

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4AStrongLodi wrote on Oct 9, 2008 11:42 AM:

" Edumucation-

I'm going to assume that you're comments are not racially motivated, but I have my doubts.

BTW, what does music choice have to do with whether a Super Wal-Mart should be built? Very ignorant comment.

In case you haven't noticed, Lodi is full of your "lowest common denominator". Why do you think Wal-Mart has fought so hard to open? Because their business excels in low- to middle-income communities.

I don't think because you are poor means you are a "lcd", but I know that in the big picture it contributes to more crime and blight. That's why need these businesses and a healthy pro-growth approach.

This City has no new jobs or revenue coming in. It's all econimics. I'd try to explain it, but I don't think you'd understand when your opposition to a Super Wal-Mart is based on the music coming from someone's car. "

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commonsense1 wrote on Oct 9, 2008 11:36 AM:

" The odds of the CC voting against the Super Wal Mart are "slim and none". "

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dogs4you wrote on Oct 9, 2008 11:15 AM:

" Edumacation boom, boom, and so on and so forth, very good. I do find it strange that the good people that live in Spanos Park don`t have a big super market to shop in. I`m sure Safeway or Raley`s could come up with enouh pay-o-la to make Mr. Spanos break from his no shopping in my neighbor hood. How far do the residens of Spanos Park have to go to shop. Concerning R R, with all the retail space that will become available, will R R become a smaller big box shopping to take business away from that nothing to do in Downtown area. Will they have to cough up some money to make downtown happy, more extortion ? "

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dogbark wrote on Oct 9, 2008 10:25 AM:

" Existing Walmart should have a tenant? What? You gonna hold one domino up as all the others fall?
Nobody remembers the old 'Buy American' Walmart stock set up? The posters and USA made goods were all on the top shelf so you'd see them across the store, but when you got to the aisle the Chinese knock-offs were at eye level and deeply discounted.
I suspect this is the same thing going on, only now its whole stores, not just products big W is targeting. "

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edumacation wrote on Oct 9, 2008 10:25 AM:

" to: 4A stongLodi" boom booom boom boom, boom shacka lacka lacka, boom boom. Thats all I could hear when I visited the SuperWalmart in Stockton. Why> Its called demographics. As long as the Supermarket sells graffiti supplies and "do rags" I know who their real customers are. You can hear the boom boom for miles. I guess you want Lodi to desend into another "boomie" town? That will happen if we get another bigbox store. Does anyone know why Spanos Park West shoppng center has NO grocery market? I do. Strip malls with food markets attract the lowest common denominator. I bet Alex Spanos has some research on that one? When you cater to the lowest common denominator, thats what you get. "

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4AStrongLodi wrote on Oct 9, 2008 10:11 AM:

" This is very disappointing, but at least the CC can override this decision and vote to approve it.

I understand why the grocery store union wants to fight this, but it's good for the City and we need to make sure our leaders know that.

I loved seeing all the people wearing the "Not in My Neighborhood" stickers. HA HA! It would be built ACROSS the street from the existing Wal-Mart. How is that a different neighborhood?

I'm sad for some of those ignorant people who can't possibly understand the positive impacts of approving this. They're just imbeciles trying to keep "everything from changing". Back when I was a kid... "

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edumacation wrote on Oct 9, 2008 9:46 AM:

" To Vickster: I find specials on groceries every week at the local markets like Raleys, Safeway, S MArt and Apple. If you want to pay $5 for a can of soup, I am sure you can find one. Specials come out every Friday, look in the Lodi News Sentinel. We are not into "hamburger helper" cuisine, but find excellent prices as long as its not junk food, which is costly whether you buy it locally or the Superwalmart in Stocktmn. Would you feel safe driving to Stockton Superwalmart late at night to do some last minute grocery shopping? I don't think so. Do you feel safe shopping at Raleys at night? Safe and snug as a bug in a rug. Lets talk about the lack of cleanliness and danger that lurks in the shadows of those big box stores? "

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edumacation wrote on Oct 9, 2008 9:38 AM:

" Its simple to identify GOB controlled candidates: Is the candidate involved in these areas? Real estate, developer, building, construction, RE investment associations, RE appraisals, most banking, city planners, economic development, Escrow agents, Mortgage finance, loan officers, advertising (includes print shops), property managers, pollsters, political activist, consumer representative, and many euphemisms for these such as "consultant" or advisor". They make up the new titles, and we watch. Watch out for the word "consumer", its like using the word ESTATE for an eastside fixer. Which consumers? The GOB? LOL "

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Vickster wrote on Oct 9, 2008 9:28 AM:

" I couldn't agree more with edukater!! Go to Stockton and take a look...folks that is EXACTLY what will happen in Lodi!!! Empty store and filth surrounding the Super-Center. Why isn't Food-4-Less or Safeway and Target or Wal-Mart enough? "

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classof72 wrote on Oct 9, 2008 9:13 AM:

" Although not a union supporter, I hope the grocery store unions do have the city council in their back pockets; I hope other long-time residents and business have the CC in their pockets also. $400,000 in sales taxes are a projection. We are in a recession, and a bigger Wal-Mart is not going to balance the city's books now or in the future. "

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stucknlodi wrote on Oct 9, 2008 8:24 AM:

" if walmart appeals the vote to CC, it will not happen until after the election. Who knows which GOB's will get elected. I know walmart is just looking for 3 votes on CC, so there will be more to come next month. it is far from over. "

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T & C wrote on Oct 9, 2008 7:46 AM:

" Everyone at the meeting KNEW that the Union Grocery Chains Had the City Council in their back pocket! "

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edukater wrote on Oct 9, 2008 7:13 AM:

" Hip hip hooray! I echo Mr. Heinitz's question of why Wal-Mart doesn't just "spiff up" it's current location? As it is now I am appalled at the filth in the store and feel as if I need a shower when I leave the store. If Walmart wants my business they don't need a Superstore they need a Clean store. Until then I'm continuing to shop at Target! "

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Mad Dog wrote on Oct 9, 2008 7:04 AM:

" Any defeat for Walmart is a success for the general public. It is interesting to note that over in Santa Rosa, a judge just ruled against Walmart and threw out an EIR report that was too vague and inconsistent. "

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