Letter: Damage from big stores is already done

I’m sure that I was not the only Burbank citizen disappointed by Judge Allan J. Goodman’s final decision ordering Burbank to rescind Walmart’s permits to renovate the former Great Indoors building. I’m sure there are many, many more. The benefits to the city from a Walmart store would more than out-weigh any negative aspects that opponents claim.

Gideon Krackov, the attorney for the three women, Shanna Ingalsbee, Katherine Olson and Yvette Ziraldo, who are suing the city, has referred to the Great Indoors as a “furniture store.” It was not a furniture store. It was a big-box interior remodeling center with appliances, electronics, flooring, bath and kitchen fixtures, counters, sinks, etc.

And who is this attorney employed by? He represents the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770 union. This is not the first Walmart that he has fought. What does this say?

It says that it’s not really about the streets, or the wages, or hurting the mom-and-pop stores. It’s their concern that Walmart will come to town and undercut the major union supermarkets on grocery prices and steal away some of their business.

I have lived in Burbank for 60 years and there is no more damage that a big-box store can do here that Target, Kmart, Costco or Best Buy haven’t already caused, so let’s get real here.

These three women act concerned about the impact that will be caused to the neighborhood and the city by a Walmart, but who could truly care about their city if they are willing to sue it?

It’s very obvious that they just personally hate Walmart. Walmart will eventually prevail. Until then, like some other readers have stated, I will, unfortunately for Burbank, take my money outside Burbank to shop at Walmart.

A. Howard
Burbank