craigdailypress.com

To the editor:

It is of great concern to me after reading an article about 75 concerned citizens who are opposed to bringing a Wal-Mart store to Craig.

Their view is that this event will cause the downtown business section to close up.

Now, I must confess, I've done my pondering about this to great extent. The following is what came to my mind.

First, what businesses are going to be run out of town? Second, how will it affect me? What am I going to do when the thrift store has to close up? And what about the antique store? Oh yes, the Golden Cavvy, Galaxy, Carelli's, which are our favorite restaurants, will all have to go. And then Mather's -- what are we going to do without the big dance floor that, on occasion, many of us have had the thrill of kicking up a heel or two on. About three insurance companies will have to close up, then what are we going to do? Then three downtown banks, the movie theater, Flint Job Services, the barber shop, hair salons, the Daily Press, and this one really hurts -- Horses Etc. Holy cow, now where am I going to buy my next good used saddle? Poor Jackson's Office Supply. I've depended on them for 11 years for my office needs.

Even worse, Samuelson's lumber yard. Just how am I going to finish that addition to my home and barn without the lumber yard downtown? And yes, my own farm equipment sales and repair business surely will have to go.

I thought we all will have to go to Steamboat Springs for these things, and that's when the alarm clock went off, waking me from this pondering dream of a nightmare. Later, I had quite a laugh about this nightmare as I recalled the same event happening in Steamboat several years ago. Many of us remember that a minority population was against Wal-Mart in Steamboat. Their view was identical to our small group's view. They were concerned Wal-Mart would shut down the downtown business. We all know it did not send many of us Craig residents to Steamboat to shop at Wal-Mart.

Common sense tells us that competition never hurt anyone. It just makes us better at what we do, and if it doesn't, it's our fault.

The businesses I mentioned in my dream compose the majority of downtown, and I can see where none of these will be shut down by Wal-Mart coming to town.

Common sense about this issue tells us more shoppers will be brought to Craig because of Wal-Mart.

I, for one, am especially eager for the proposed gas stations to come to town. I think that then the price fixing of overcharging on fuel will end.

To Kmart I say, you can survive, but you will have to make some changes and be smarter. If you don't, then it will be goodbye.

Bill Snare