If bags are ALREADY along RT 60, then the “bags in the trees ” defense isnt a reason to block the development of Wal-Mart.I want as much as anyone to protect our rural character and environment in our beautiful county. We have already set this portion of our county as the area to develop. We can address the litter, which I also find disgusting, by other means than discouraging development.

“political theater” is right but bad budgeting is not the only reason taking center stage. It looks more like political cover. Buestos is beholden to his democrat party who is dead set againt Walmart coming but District 2 has polled in favor for Walmart. What is poor Buestos to do?? the rest of the BOS are in favor and make no mistake Walmart will be built but to protect Buestos from having to make a controversial vote right before his special election they “tabled” it. It is not until after elections do they vote againt their districts right BOS…. oh thanks for the tax increase that never went to the schools that we were told was the reason…

When are we going to elect real leaders who put the citizens before political games? Who do what is right for the county and not for their “party” or self interest.

I don’t know about others, but I’ve definitely seen plastic bags in trees along route 60 and many other areas.  Have you ever really looked?  It may sound like an insignificant problem to you, but it reflects our attitude toward the environment and the fact that we really don’t care about such ugly things polluting our lives. And I’ve seen bags in trees around other Wal-Marts.  It’s a shame they don’t do something about them, but I’m afraid they’re as clueless as other folks that never notice them.

Todd,

Do you have any sample data sets you could use from other counties/cities that might illustrate both the quantitative and qualitative effect that a new Wal-Mart may have?  This may go a long way towards arguing one’s case either pro or con.  It could be the tax revenues alone are enough to make this a worth while venture.  Then again, depending on the site - you may find “qualitatively speaking” traffic, accidents, increased crime (theft, loitering, etc).

Enjoyed the article and you raise some good questions.  Why do I drive to Midlothian (passing Powhatan) on 288 in order to go to Wal-Mart when I could go to Powhatan?  Getting people in your county in and of itself could be a boon to OTHER businesses, historic sites, parks & rec, tourism, etc…

Take care,
Shaun G Griffin

@Scott The people of Powhatan are currently patronizing stores like Walmart and Target now in Chesterfield or near wherever they have to commute to for work. There are people outside of Powhatan who travel through Powhatan to get to stores in Chesterfield. The fact is that while the Walmart would be like the NY Giants, Powhatan’s peewee team closed long ago. The IGA and Flat Rock grocery stores are long gone and I am not aware of any general merchandise stores left there. This will be an oppportunity for Powhatan County to keep revenue in the county and create jobs. It will also present an opprtunity for local entrepreneurs to open additional businesses in the same shopping center.

Todd…Very well and succinctly put..Powhatan can keep it’s rural flavour AND have strong, sustainable economic growth at the same time.  Every single day I spend money in another county than my home county, Powhatan, because Powhatan cannot provide me the outlets at which to purchase those items I need.  Every day I have to drive out the county—-raising my carbon footprint, taxing tax dollars out my home county and wasting valuable time I could be spending with my family.  I fully intend to continue to shop at the stores in Powhatan I shopped at before—the feed store, the auto parts store, Dirty Hands, and anyone else that is local.  But the big difference is—-most of my money will stay in and benefit the county I love. 

You are so right that Powhatan has “champagne taste and Budweiser budget”...But that is a recent thing.  The burden is on the county to provide services for the influx of folks who come here for the country atmosphere, but want to bring the city with them.  Someone has to pay for those services.  And it’s time the farmers and the older folks and the landowners in this county stopped paying for the influx of folks who use a disproportionate amount of the resources—because that’s what they “are used to”...Let the people support this with tax revenue gained on purchases, not on raising our property taxes. 

Yes, I do believe this is politically motivated on the part of the BOS…No doubt…But we have to rise above the politics and do what’s best for the county’s future.  Let the Princesses and Society Queens who don’t want to shop at Walmart shop elsewhere.  It certainly won’t hurt my feelings if they don’t.

Although I am not a resident of Powhatan, I am a lifelong resident of the Richmond area (and my roots in Powhatan go back to the late 1700s).  This article caught my eye because it is a subject I am quite passionate about.  I must say, however, that I think these attempts to persuade the public to accept a Wal-Mart in their community are misguided.

The argument that the competition Wal-Mart brings to local businesses is a good thing is completely wrong.  That’s like saying the competition the New York Giants will bring to your son’s peewee football team is a good thing.  Wal-Mart does not compete on a level playing field and is out to crush local businesses, not spur economic growth for the good of the local economy and the American capitalism ideal.

Of course, once they have disposed of local businesses, the money from retail purchases no longer stays in the local economy.  And the jobs they have “created” are really prove in reality to just be a shift of the jobs they destroyed.

I have yet to find any solid data refuting the claims put forth in “Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price,” an excellent documentary that will make any rational person think twice about shopping there, much less supporting the entrenchment of Wal-Mart store in their own community.