April 11, 2006

Will WalLMart Eat Asheville?
Super Wal-Marts are invading and posed to invade the Asheville area: north, south, east and west. That's why you will want to read a most troubling and evocative report.
This report was written by the Institute for Self-Reliance. It asked the same question of Great Britian. That question now applies to Asheville.
   The statistics and direct implications to Asheville and Western North Carolina are staggering and frightful.
   Perhaps you will come to an April 11, 2006, Asheville City meeting to witness why citizens, business leaders, and politicians of the Asheville area and WNC might stop all new Wal-Marts ... and why. The people of Portland, Oregon, did.
Stop Wal-Mart and other big box stores here and now? If that's your stance, it may be the last time Ashevillians will control their own destiny. With so many Super Wal-Marts and other corporate retail giants on the horizon, a diverse mountain economy of independent small businesses and microenterprises may soon become just a dream, say critics.
   Read this report: "Will Wal-Mart Eat Britian?" Then call, write and visit your Asheville City Council members and Buncombe County commissioners to explore what you think of the new and proposed Super Wal-Marts in the Asheville area. 
Those who fear a corporate take-over by Wal-Mart and other big box retail stores will find a breath of fresh air with this self-reliant perspective.
Click here for more information, or visit: http://www.newrules.org/retail/nefspeech.pdf

n Procedures for Wal-Mart Public Hearing on April 11

Is the Wal-Mart Public Hearing "On" or "Off" for April 11?
On the morning of Friday, April 7, 2006* the City of Asheville received a verbal request for a continuance from the applicant seeking conditional zoning for a proposed Wal-Mart Super Center Store on Smoky Park Highway. As of 2 p.m., on April 7, Asheville officials had not yet received the applicant's official request for a continuance in writing. Should the applicant submit an official request for a continuance, only the Mayor and City Council can approve or deny that request. * Based on the information available at this time, Asheville is proceeding as if the public hearing will occur during its originally scheduled time - on Tuesday, April 11 during the City Council meeting that begins at 5 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the second floor of City Hall. * Online registration to speak during the public hearing will open at 3 p.m. * Citizens will receive an e-mail confirmation if they are one of the first 25 speakers to register; otherwise, citizens wishing to speak during the hearing will need to sign up on the day of the meeting. See details FOR PROCEDURES ABOVE for on-site registration.

BREAKING NEWS
As of Monday afternoon, April 10, 2006, a city spokesperson confirmed to DowntownAsheville.com that it appears that the Wal-Mart site developer will attend the April 11 meeting at Asheville City Hall.

n Council Member Mumpower Responds to West Asheville Wal-Mart Controversy

n How to Contact Asheville City Council Members