super wrote on Feb 19, 2008 6:00 AM:Go SUPER Wal-MArt! I'm rooting for ya!

jerimiah wrote on Feb 19, 2008 6:24 AM:This is a high priced law-firm. There has to be someone footing the bill. Who is really behind these delay tactics? Is it the unions or other grocery stores that want to prevent people from buying at the lowest prices?

Vista resident wrote on Feb 19, 2008 7:50 AM:I'm glad someone is out there fighting the Wal-Mart behemoth. They are not good for our community! They will drive out our smaller retailers. Sometimes their prices are cheaper (not always!), but is it worth it in the cost we pay in other ways? People will have to work two jobs, many will lose their health care, and all that nasty crap from China is just bad all around.

Boo to Wal-Mart!

Vista Granny wrote on Feb 19, 2008 8:23 AM:No to a Super-sized Walmart. Every now and then, I venture into Walmart and end up buying something that appears to be the same brand, etc. that I purchased elsewhere. In the case of my latest purchase, a leash for my dog, the leash broke about the fifth time I used it. The price I paid seemed to good to be true -- and it was. Off to Petsmart, pay more, get more quality. Some underwear purchased there started unraveling and the elastic stretched, though the same exact brand purchased at Target was great. I'd be afraid to buy meat, fresh produce, etc. from Walmart. Who knows where and how it came to be? As for the traffic? Saturdays in that area are awful now.No to the darned thing.

local wrote on Feb 19, 2008 8:27 AM:Dear Wal-Mart, please, please build a store on E. Valley Pkwy in Escondido. A Supercenter, the bigger the better!

Another Vista Resident wrote on Feb 19, 2008 8:45 AM:As a Vista resident who lives in the residential neighborhood directly behind the Wal-Mart in question, I say BRING IT ON! I and many others knew that this Wal-Mart would eventually be expanded and I can't wait. For those of you who haven't shopped at a Super Wal-Mart, you are missing out. For those of you against this expansion, no one said you had to shop there. Those of you complaining about the work environment, you don't have to work there. For the rest of us, it will provide additional badly needed jobs, competitive prices, one-stop shopping and an additional choice of where we want to spend our money. As a business man, competition is good for the economy.

Olaf wrote on Feb 19, 2008 9:34 AM:I like how Business up above states he likes the competition. Obviously he isn't in comprtition with them because he would be out of business. He probably doesn't live in the area because he would then not say bring it on. WHAT the traffic, the extra low income earners that need jobs from out of the area, the poor quality goods brought in from China, the lead based dog food/toys/etc that will kill ya??? what exactly do you want to bring on. Low wage jobs, goods, etc... while the company puts in a big box that drives down you property values. Yeah, let's sink the economy more. Your old values of cheaper the better are outdated. We the people want more for our community, state, country. NO TO WAL MART!

Olaf wrote on Feb 19, 2008 9:38 AM:PS... I like how the article calls out the unions but only mentions that community groups and environmental groups as passing fringe groups. They are the bigger of the three people. Community's are sick of having these box stores shoved down the throats of its community's. The people who shop there are poor for a reason and Wally World is the main culprit...No to Wal Mart.

Super wrote on Feb 19, 2008 9:48 AM:Why all the comments about Wal-Mart selling crap from China? Is that just another scare tactic? Wal-mart sells the same things that grocery stores sell. So why don’t you complain about the crap made in China from the super markets? These lawsuits are probably just backed by unions and the grocery stores. When the union workers go on strike you’ll be shopping at Super Wal-mart like the rest of us.

Super wrote on Feb 19, 2008 9:54 AM:To Olaf, What is this talk about "crap from China"? Wal-Mart sells the same stuff the Super Markets sell but cheaper, so take you scare tactics somewhere else!

Cal wrote on Feb 19, 2008 10:08 AM:WalMart will go down in history as the most evil incarnation since the SS Storm Troopers. Just wait until they open up clinics in all their stores. Oh man, you people have no idea.

Union4sure wrote on Feb 19, 2008 10:39 AM:What's everyone got against unions? You know the 8 hour day most americans enjoy? Yep unions won those foe you. How about a five day work week, the idea of benefits, minimum wage, the right not to be bodily punished by your boss etc etc. Unions won all those for you too. When I hear some ignoramus spouting off against unions, I can usually link it directly to TOO MUCH RIGHT WING RADIO. Of course, rick roberts and rush ... limbuagh don't like unons...they are hacks for big business. The union is the best thing to happen to the working person in this nation and continues to be.

Karl wrote on Feb 19, 2008 11:54 AM:To "Union4sure wrote on Feb 19, 2008 10:39 AM" I do not like the unions for reasons other than you specified and i am sure there are a lot of folks like me. When I was young and in the carpenters union I wanted to work more than 40 hours a week and was told no way. If I was caught moonlighting I would be fined $500 and suspended for a month. My problem with unions is that there is no room for anyone that wants to excell and make more money. all union employees in my experience are treated as cloned robots.

Gary wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:19 PM:Walmart makes your dollar go farther. I think they are great. I remember a time when there were NO large stores in Vista, those of you who worry about the little guys haven't been down Santa Fe lately, it was a cess pool in the 70's and still is. Walmart brings jobs and tax revenue to the city. If you don't like them don't shop there.

I know!!!! wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:25 PM:Build one in Carlsbad! With all their "interest only" loans coming due here soon they will need to shop there for sure!

myra wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:30 PM:I say go for it,if they can rehire and replace all those rude people they already have working for them

just wondering wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:48 PM:The city planners said "they knew wall-mart would expand one day" How much did they receive for their re-election campaigns from wall-mart interests? Just Wondering?

Olaf wrote on Feb 19, 2008 1:18 PM:Yeap they sell some of the things that other stores do. They strong arm the producer of those goods to give them the best price and have made many manufactures from the US close shop in the US and overseas their product to sell you something cheaper. So to heck with the environment (china doesnt care who they pollute), heck with labor laws (little kids making your cheap products in all kinds of countries), and to heck with our workers and people in your community (once agian Wally world doesn't even pretend to hire blue collar workers only illegals and low income workers they will find to drive into your area and work) So while most of you bemoan illegals you want them here. While most of you who like Wally world for their CHEAP goods can look the otheer way if someone tells you they are not good for the world. Keep ignoring reality and maybe it won't affect you. Then again maybe it will...

Super: see above written message for you and Wally world is the biggest offender and should be targeted. Others will and have been hit. Example is the tainted dog food. MSM pointed out pet stores who sold it not wally world the largest importer from CHINA. Lead based toys... China and who was the biggest importer??? just a few days ago metal shavings in lolly-pops from china and who is the importer??? so turn your head the other way, eat a few lollies, buy some discounted toys, and enjoy the lovely crowd at your super Wally World. Not scare tactics just facts read about them in this paper even.

To Union guy: Amen brother. I enjoy my work week too. And the safe food handling cards and workers who know their jobs at my stores and other places I visit. If only those too frightened and brain washed would only understand this. I don't like the pandering that unions do towards political campaigns but all in all they improve all peoples lives even if they don't want it, like Karl, Gary, and Super.

Crap from China wrote on Feb 19, 2008 1:25 PM:Sure, Wal-Mart isn't the only one. They just lead the charge. Doesn't make it right just because other retailers sell that stuff. Not only is a lot of it actually dangerous, it's made under horrific conditions for the people in China, and American industry suffers as a result. Not only that, they really do put local mom-and-pop places out of business. I don't shop there, and I hope they don't build out this Supercenter in Vista.

Concerned-1 wrote on Feb 19, 2008 1:43 PM:I am not a WalMart fan. In fact, I've never stepped foot in one! I do not like their business tactics, nor their general low-standard personna. That said, I think the people of Vista should decide whehter or not they want it. This lawyer and his invisible client sound pretty fishy to me. Power to the people!

hhhmmmm.... wrote on Feb 19, 2008 1:45 PM:walmart creates many low wage jobs and low prices for people, but at what cost? so wal-mart tries to keep their prices really really low. they pressure their suppliers to keep their prices lower. the suppliers have to cut wages and jobs to keep their prices low. the suppliers have to cut the quality of their products going to wal-mart (which is why, even the same brands bought at wal-mart are of cheaper quality than the same brands bought in other stores). but then the suppliers, have no option. so why not turn to NAFTA to decrease production costs and increase profits to keep up with supplying walmart? so, what they do is ship thousands and thousands of jobs overseas so that they can keep supplying to wal-mart. but wait, didn't wal-mart create hundreds of jobs in the first place? jobs where they keep their employees just under full time so they don't have to give them benefits. jobs where they can exploit these low-income people trying to survive. and sure the prices are low and really help out poor families, but the argument that it creates more jobs than it takes away is a bad one. the same brands still aren't as good as in other stores because the suppliers make them specifically for walmart. we need to stand up for the hard-working people and demand fair labor practices!

Retailer wrote on Feb 19, 2008 4:43 PM:To those of you who keep pointing out that "everyone" sells the same, cheap, junk that Wal-Mart does...please remember who is responsible for the fact that ALL retailers have to purchase the same, cheap, junk, today.
It is because Wal-Mart opened all the in roads to China and Asia and basically put the American companies out of business, or forced them to go to China, for their products. It was the "Super Giant, Wal-Mart". If not for them, forcing the American companies to have to layoff Americans, so that they could compete in todays market, and produce inferior products, but at a price that Wal-Mart found acceptable, we might still have a few companies here today, that might be able to turn out a decent product.

Frank wrote on Feb 19, 2008 5:18 PM:Wal mart is by far the largest supporter of the vista Fourth of July fireworks fund, and has been for years. If Wal Mart wants to build a giant store, nuclear power plant, or whatever the city should approve it. Nobody else is ponying up the bucks for the fireworks, if not for Wal Mart the fireworks would be a few sparklers and some road flares.

danny wrote on Feb 19, 2008 6:54 PM:Blame govt, not walmart

Big govt wont close the borders or raise tariffs on Chinese goods.

Wal-Mart Employee wrote on Feb 19, 2008 7:45 PM:What is this low wage low benefit stuff you talk about. I have friends & family who work at Wal-Mart and they couldn't be happier. They have their choice of roughly 5 different health plans as well as swing time, vacation time and sick time that can be used on a dime as needed. I'm self-employed now but, if I needed to find a job, I wouldn't hesitate to apply at Wal-Mart simply based on the personal experiences of those I know.

To Karl @ 11:54 AM wrote on Feb 19, 2008 7:48 PM:Along with other reasons to dislike unions ... you have hit the nail on the head. They certainly had their purpose at one point and time ... but that time has passed ... at least in the way that they continue to choose to operate. I'll never join one!

Vista resident wrote on Feb 19, 2008 9:37 PM:Don’t hate Wal-Mart because how big they are. Every person/company that ever opens up a business wants to grow. You want to make your business as big as you can. If you never wanted succeed in your business you would never have opened one up. Don’t be jealous that Wal-Mart was a success story and your business failed. Like people say! If you don’t want to shop at a Wal-Mart DON’T SHOP there, go somewhere else and shop. This is AMERICA we have choices where we can shop at.

sfmc wrote on Feb 20, 2008 12:35 AM:Frank--You've got to be kidding. Are you so short-sighted as to sell out your community for fireworks?!

All it takes for people is pretty lights and a loud noise to get them to agree to expanding Wal-mart? No wonder we're in trouble.

Olaf wrote on Feb 20, 2008 8:09 AM:No wonder we are in trouble is right. Talk about short sited. Frank is selling out his country for fourth of July fireworks (Irony??? I think) and Wal mart is doing it's usual ... My answer is go to a wal mart and ask for a job and see for yourselfs what they offer...
Vista resident: You are right we as over consuming americans should get all we can before the other guy does. Get yours and forget the rest right??? we are the rulers of the world??? What happened to just enjoying life and not over consuption even if you could??? small businesses are what we were founded on not megagopolis businesses that buy the world and then contribute to politicians and not the people. So Danny above is right blame your government too. ... Wouldn't it be nicer if they put that money into their employee's instead of politicians??? I think so.

Jim wrote on Feb 20, 2008 10:01 AM:This is a free country, if they want to expand, and are approved by the city, then why not? Driving out the smaller stores? Ya right, like those mom-and-pop Albertson's and Von's that really need our money to survive. Oh, and extra noise and traffic? How do you figure? Wal-Mart doesn't create customers out of nothing. People will either shop there or someplace else, its a zero-sum game. Actually, its almost better that some people can do all there shopping at one place, it saves energy. You won't have to drive all over town to get what you need!

just wondering wrote on Feb 20, 2008 10:08 AM:Ever checked out who the two riches women in the world are?? Both are Waltons. So they give away a few bucks to have fireworks one day a year. Remember Joan Krock? (Mcdonalds) She gave use hospitals for kids and alot of grant money for doctors and teachers. Just Wondering?

No Wal-Mart for me— wrote on Feb 20, 2008 10:24 AM:Take some time to watch the documentary "The Corporation". Then consider what this gobbling giant is doing to our country. They will keep prices low only until they have the total control that they seek. How many gazillion dollars does one family need? These people are not Sam Walton, who worked hard to bring a bargain to the masses. They are his descendants who are riding his gravy train and demanding more, more, more.