The River Reporter, April 10, 1997 (News Analysis)
SOME THOUGHTS FROM A WAL-MART VISITOR
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Wal-Mart gives free lunch, a mug, and promises
By TOM RUE
COBLESKILL - More than 20 local officials took a two-hour bus ride to Cobleskill to tour a Wal-Mart supercenter on March 9, enjoyed an all-you-can-eat lunch, and heard about the virtues of big business, according to Jesse York, who went.
Participants included Monticello trustee Monis Brafman, Thompson councilwoman Corinne Briggs, Thompson building inspector Jim Carnell, supervisor Anthony Cellini, Monticello mayor James Kenny, Thompson planning board member Jim Little, councilman Richard Sush, and others. Contrary to a prediction published the day of the trip, Assemblyman Jacob Gunther (D/C-Forestburgh) did not go.
Jesse York said he was invited by Cellini, "But I'll tell you who paid for it, then you go from there. Wal-Mart paid for everything." Kenney claimed the trip was set up by Cellini. Deputy mayor Gary Sommers blasted the excursion as unethical, since Wal-Mart was footing the bill. So did two other village trustees who Cellini did not not invite.
York said he went as president of the Sullivan County Million Man March Community Action Group (M'CAG). He is also a village human rights commissioner.
Most impressive, to York, were Wal-Mart's minority hiring hiring practices -- as well as the store's prices. "They don't let anyone outprice them. Whatever price they find on the shelves when they come, Wal-Mart makes theirs lower. That's really important for people who don't have money."
"I think Shop Rite raises their prices because they're the only ones in town," he added, suggesting that Wal-Mart will be good for consumers.
Everyone came away with a full stomach, a Wal-Mart mug, and company propaganda. Some officials reportedly got two mugs.
Lunch consisted of all participants could eat, in what was described as a catered buffet. "They had us in the big private room, where the employees eat. We went back for seconds and thirds and fourths. What they had for lunch -- I couldn't eat it all!" York exclaimed.
The main thrust of the presentation was that Wal-Mart supports communities, and markets its products economically, York said.
"Last year, Wal-Mart gave over $81,000,000 to the Children's Miracle Network Hospital, United Way agencies and local nonprofit organizations," according to a pamphlet published in Bentonville, Arkansas, entitled "Economic Impact Information -- State of New York" which participants received.
Wal-Mart contributed more than $9.5 million to United Way in 1996, the booklet said. Cellini's wife, Linda Cellini, who is director of United Way of Sullivan County, did not go on the trip, York said.
York spoke with the manager of the Cobleskill superstore about Wal-Mart assisting M'CAG economically. "He said that we should have no problem getting funded by Wal-Mart, since we have 501(c)(3) status. He said, 'We are here to help the community,'" York recalled. If the proposed Monticello store is unable to contribute directly, York said, he was told they could get permission to hold bake sales or other fund-raisers in the store, to raise money.
Whether Wal-Mart wants the proposed Kiamesha Lake location badly enough to be willing to pay Monticello village taxes in order to get municipal water did not come up, York said. But, he noted, the impression was clear that the company wants to open for business at the proposed site.
Related external links
Children's Miracle Network
United Way of America
Wal-Mart
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