Wal-Mart Gears Up for Campaign in Heber

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Anti-big box organizers in Heber collected enough signatures to get the city's big-box zoning ordinance on this November's ballot. But now they'll have to campaign against one of the world's wealthiest corporate giants for enough votes to quash "big box" stores in Heber. Wal-Mart spokesman Gray McGinnis thinks a "silent majority" of voters will welcome his store with open arms:

"A well-organized minority can very effectively drive the agenda, regardless of the needs and wants of a silent majority," says McGinnis. "So in the past we have run campaigns to bring out our supporters and ensure the city council knows that Wal-Mart is very welcome in the community."

Heber City has an estimated population of nine-thousand people, of whom some 14-hundred registered voters signed the petition to put big-box zoning on the ballot. Citizens group "Put Heber Valley First" is trying reverse a recent Heber City Council decision to allow retail outlets larger than 60-thousand square feet. The group worries big retailers like Wal-Mart will force locally-owned shops out of business. McGinnis says Heber will benefit by keeping more shoppers in town:

"Currently the majority of the Heber shoppers are driving to Provo to fulfill their everyday shopping needs," says McGinnis. "And these sales tax dollars directly benefit the community - to funding parks, police, fire and other municipal services in Summit County."

Don't expect to see Wal-Mart's name splashed on campaign signs and pamphlets leading into the November election. McGinnis says The Boyer Company, which is proposing the development, will lead the campaign with funding from Wal-Mart.

1. Art Fryxell said:

How does Gary McGinnis know the feelings of the citizens of Heber City? I have never seen him at a council meeting. He is the typical mouthpiece of a corporation that cares little about the towns they destroy and even less abouy their own employees.

2. Linda Fife said:

Mr.McGinnis does not seem to realize that the majority of the people who are blessed to live in the Heber Valley do not mind having to go to Provo or Salt Lake to shop when necessary. We like the small town atmosphere,this is why we live here. If we minded we would move to Provo or Salt Lake for the convenience. Walmart is a corporation accustomed to stepping on all who get in their way of making the maximum amount of money they can. Please go back to where you come from, you are not wanted here.

3. Jenny said:

I live in heber and a wal-mart would be great for my family. Gas is very expensive and we are on a limited budget.

4. JC said:

This guy doesn't even know what county he's talking about. I'm sure he doesn't know or care what the residents want. He knows so little about them he can't even get the county designation right. SUMMIT county already has a Walmart and that's plenty. WASATCH county doesn't need or want one. The Boyer Co. was very effective at MANIPULATING the "silent majority" in Sandy into voting. The vote was 49/51 after a very expensive campaign to bring out this "majority". If only the grass-roots folks had a little more money to spend lying to residents about how all the profits would be spent eh?

5. Ken McConnell said:

Wal Mart is a preditor. Their goal ios to drive ever ounce of compitition out of business so the cirizens of Heber City will have little or no choices as to where to shop. Their products are made in China, not the USA. The company is noted for poverty wages and poor helathcare benefits. Wal Mart is not welcome in Heber. Just go away.