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THE CASE FOR A WALMART SUPERCENTER AT PEDA’s ‘TEENS’

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BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2016) — Yesterday, we presented reasons to oppose the Big Box Boogie. Today, THE PLANET presents the other side.  We will present this in the form of refutations of the opponents strongest arguments.

OBJECTION 1: Walmart, Super or not, is not a fit use for the site.

REFUTATION: It’s been close to 20 years since the Consent Agreement turned over 52 acres of land from GE to Pittsfield. The Suits sold the idea to a public not so much gullible as desperate. They shamelessly took advantage of this with the lure of manufacturing coming to the site, with big-pay, good-benefit positions — you know, like the Pittsfield School Department, only with accountability. Well, just as it didn’t at Dan Fox Drive, the manufacturing boom didn’t happen, and to this day, we’re still waiting for the first new tenant. If it hasn’t happened in 18 years, why wait any longer? At least Walmart will clean “The Teens” at PEDA and put in a store that will provide jobs (more than at its current location) and taxes (ditto).

OBJECTION 2: The Teens are too valuable a location to “give away” to Big Box development.

REFUTATION: PEDA executive director Corydon Thurston himself admitted that the land is problematic. When your “leader” says this, you know the property has to be in rough shape. Walmart says it will sink $12 million into site preparation. What other company would do that? In short, the answer to Objection 2 is, “Got anything better?” For 18 years the answer has been no. For 18 more, the answer will still be no, especially with Thurston’s ringing endorsement of the land.

OBJECTION 3 — The jobs pay low wages

REFUTATION — True, working at Walmart isn’t like working for the school department, but the company says its current full-time employees at Berkshire Crossing (more than half of the workers there) average $14.86 an hour. The company adds that these employees “are eligible for health insurance, matched 401K benefits, and bonuses.” For Pittsfield, a city without a true economy, that’s a great deal. A job is a job is a job.

OBJECTION 4: Walmart will put other stores out of business.

REFUTATION: And your point is? That’s the nature of good, old-fashioned capitalism. Competition lowers prices. The Walmart model delivers a good variety of less expensive, quality goods and services. That’s why people shop there. It’s not for the ambience. It’s the price, baby. THE PLANET also points out that while some stores have not been able to withstand the Walmart presence, others have, businesses such as Paul Rich Furniture (Walmart sells furniture), Carr Hardware (Walmart sells hardware), Steven Valenti Clothing (Walmart sells clothes) and others. The local stores that survive finds ways to beat Walmart, primarily through great local service that generates loyalty.

OBJECTION 5: We already have a Walmart. The move will create another empty store, this one huge.

REFUTATION: Yup, we already have a Walmart. The one at PEDA, though, would be what the company calls a “Supercenter.” It will provide more jobs, pay more taxes, and offer more goods and services compared to the store at Berkshire Crossing. The company also says the Supercenter would “become a catalyst for future mixed-use [businesses at PEDA], bringing hundreds of new jobs and tax revenues to the city.” That needs to be vetted, of course, but how else do you do it than by letting Walmart in and seeing what happens? As for the big, empty box, if Walmart owns it, it will still be paying taxes. Moreover, what’s one more in a city with so many?

——– 000 ——–

 From THE PLANET‘s perspective, those strongest argument in favor of a Supercenter at “The Teens” is the lack of activity for 18 long years. The Teens have been available since 1998, and thus far, there have been no takers.What other choice does the city have? This is the price a city pays when its ignores citizens for 30 years.

—————————————————————————————————-

“Without Waterstone’s plan, the contamination at the site will continue to dissuade development, as it has for nearly two decades.”Chris Buchanan, director of public affairs, Walmart.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

The views expressed in the comment section or opinions published within the text other than those of PLANET VALENTI are not those of PLANET VALENTI or endorsed in any way by PLANET VALENTI; this website reserves the right to remove any comment which violates its Rules of Conduct, and it is not liable for the consequences of any posted comment as provided in Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and PLANET VALENTI’s terms of service.

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12 Gauge
12 Gauge
7 years ago

We could put a mini golf course on the property and Nick Cacomo could be the golf pro.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
7 years ago

Walmart isn’t providing any new jobs. It is just moving from one area of Pittsfield to another. PEDA is polluted with cancer causing toxic waste chemicals that have cost hundreds of millions of public and private dollars to cleanup and cap. Walmart should not sell food or drinkable liquids on the PEDA site! If they do, the food/drinks must be tested daily. Walmart exploits workers, communities, and countries. They pay starvation wages, while they are worth many billions of dollars. Walmart makes Scrooge look good prior to his transformation late in his fictional life into a good man. Pittsfield has been exploited by GE, Jack Welch, the Good Old Boys, the Suits, and the vested interests for years. Look where it got in return from self-serving power-brokers. Pittsfield is deep into the proverbial ditch! The downward spiral continues!
– Jonathan Melle

heh heh
heh heh
7 years ago

NO mention made of traffic. As much as Walmart is bashed, one has to admit their parking lot is full most of the day. Every day. So they do have lots of fans whether they admit it or not.

They should create another lane of traffic leading up to the new Walmart coming from either East street or Woodlawn Ave because there is high potential for a major traffic clusterfluck and not just during the Christmas season.

And if East street or Dalton ave are going to need to be repaved perhaps it should happen before the new store opens.

SisterGoldenHair
SisterGoldenHair
7 years ago

I vote no.

Why I wonder does Walmart want it so bad?
How much more in taxes will they pay?
Are my taxes going down, proportional to their increase?

Walmart is not going to clean the mess up, just bury it. The politicans that let GE get away with leaving that site a mess should be jailed, because it’s a crime. We should re-open that consent decree and get the place cleaned up properly. We should then turn it into PCB Park if we can’t get real industry in there.

Lots of great posts yesterday, especially by Bull Durham and Mike Ward and the poster that asked for details of the consent decree. My God man, why would anybody with half a brain allow GE to leave the property a big mess? And for a lously 10 mil, that was supposed to be for jobs yet we pissed that away, to the museum, the movie theater, hancock shaker village, etc.

I’m okay with private enterprise but why should we help take more jobs from local small business? When I need a widget I don’t want to have to deal with a walmart greeter, a big parking lot, and all the associated nincompoops, because my government helped put the little guy under. If Walmart does it without the city’s help, well that’s free enterprise.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  SisterGoldenHair
7 years ago

Bill Durham’s post yesterday was total progressive “nonsense”. This county has been in a mess economically and it has nothing to do with Walmart or a Super Walmart. Look to your government officials to place blame for all the closings in this area, both in Pittsfield and in North County. If people do not have jobs, they can’t spend money and businesses close. It’s that simple. Stop protecting our local do nothing politicians who are NOT doing their jobs.

Mr. Durham complained that from January to April this area closes down. Again, this would be the fault of politicians making this area nothing more than a tourist attraction. Real jobs would keep our local economy strong all year long. There wouldn’t be an “off” season.

Finally, Mr. Durham does nothing but put down Walmart. From what Dan V. has said in todays article, the pay at Walmart is very good for this area. If we had an actual economy in this area, people could work there to supplement their income rather than relying on it as their main source of income if for example they can only get part time hours at Walmart, but again it comes back to local politicians NOT being able to bring companies into this area due to their anti-business attitude and this has nothing to do with Walmart.

The School committee
The School committee
7 years ago

I hope the phrase good ol boys stops and we be more accurate….lets face it Masimiano was embarrassed into retirement with his weird stuff…welch is gone and most people agree he has led a lying life…the courthouse jobs are so so fantastic they wont retire there either …The people of power and influence in pittsfield are now women Tyer Amuso Bouvier Yon BehnkeMazzeo are or have been in charge of school spending…….they are in never never land..They want to quickly spend Walmart money…..PEDA was a pittsfield promise of manufacturing jobs….where is the state of Massachusetts who just gave Boston 150 million…Hello Tricia Farley.

heh heh
heh heh
Reply to  The School committee
7 years ago

I think men are still in power in Pittsfield Ma. But now they are hiding behind the curtain and have put the woman out front as window dressing. The woman get to feel important and the men don’t get so much blood on their hands.

And Trish, who quite certainly is not making decisions based on what happens in her own brain, is a prime example of how to get ahead by doing what you are told. She is the definitive definition of the word TOOL.

as I see it…based on what happens in my own brain

Pat
Pat
Reply to  heh heh
7 years ago

Trish will now be Floor Whip for the Democratic party convention. If Hillary is elected maybe she will give her another job and we can get rid of her in this area.

The School committee
The School committee
7 years ago

Richard Neil does nothing for Pittsfield Ma…please do not visit tourist sites…go to the Generel Electric company and tell them you left a mess in Pittsfield ma…Tricia Farley needs to stop chasing the Berkshire Eagle Photographer and go to GE and tell them they needvto clean it up or build something there….PEDA is a embarrassing reminder of a fail polluted sick dying city masked in good looking hills.
There is no plan for Pittsfield going to 30000 people because the women are in denial about the city most people live in….these women live well but people on SS are broke and they can not acknowledge it.

The School committee
The School committee
7 years ago

In the end your going to move all of allendale to the PEDA property….just watch your Kroll s Whites Caccamos Connells smooth talk a walmart…what happened to education and jobs at PEDA…Pittsfield should sign on to do reality TV.

Pat
Pat
7 years ago

I vote “yes” for a new Walmart. Didn’t realize they paid so well either. I should apply there. That Walmart will clean the site is a huge plus. Walmart certainly has the money to do that and do it well. This is a win situation all around for Pittsfield.

Passing through
Passing through
7 years ago

Let’s just be honest here:

1. There really shouldn’t be (and isn’t) any interest in investing in Pittsfield. Call me a naysayer but let’s get real with it.

Pittsfield’s murder and unexplained homocide rate is unusually high. What is it now? 3 unsolved murders, 2 murders being prosecuted and at least one unexplained homocide (of a child!) in just the last 12 months? That’s 5 or 6 people murdered here in the last year! Did I miss any?

The people are poor, the quality of life declines continously, crime runs rampant, everyone is either high on drugs or exploiting people who are. This is not a desirable place to begin or relocate a manufacturing facility.

2. Not when there are a million other places in the world to pick from…

Dowager Hat
Dowager Hat
7 years ago

Proponents argue that Big box discount stores are highly compatible with Pittsfield’s culture and economy; stores like Bradlees, K-Mart, Zayres, Big-N, all thrived here, They didn’t ??? No way !
Well, at least the parking lot up north at the Berkshire Mall would make a great go cart track or asphalt jungle location. The farmer’s market there keeps getting smaller. Plenty of parking though.
Yeah.. Rah.. Let’s hear it for retail and tourism…They will pay all our property taxes… No???

heh heh
heh heh
Reply to  Dowager Hat
7 years ago

The true economic engine in Pittsfield is the school system. High paying jobs and plenty of them. Great benefits, reduced work days and the future looking even better with a union that controls the politicians that control the pay scale. As long as you find yourself a home outside the city limits the Pittsfield school system is your key to success.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  heh heh
7 years ago

Most school employees live here in Pittsfield, but since they earn so much they don’t mind the high taxes.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
7 years ago

And any qualified grads that the investment in schools produces leave the Berkshires to never return.

Steven Andrews
Steven Andrews
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

Wrong again SHH. Many stay

Shelly Liver
Shelly Liver
7 years ago

Hell NO!

If Wal-Mart wants to act in the best interest of itself, it’s worker, then they should not only raise wages and bennies for it’s employees, it should publicly back an increase to the minimum wage of at least 12 dollars and hour. A Federal mimimim wage that guarantees all Americans a livable income will benefit the economy as a whole. in the long term, no business would benefit more than our nation’s Largest Retailer.

Magic
Magic
Reply to  Shelly Liver
7 years ago

My problem with minimum wage being raised is that I have been at the same job 20 years and only make $3.00 more than $12.00. Will my pay be raised to accomodate the raise in minimum wage. I think not.

Joe Pinhead
Joe Pinhead
Reply to  Shelly Liver
7 years ago

Raising the minimum wage is not the answer nor is a federal minimum wage. Are you going to tell me the cost of living is the same in say Wheatland Missouri as it is in LA? Each employee will be making the same that’s a recipe for disaster. How about if the employee raises their skill set? There are ample programs, schools, training centers etc. where someone could learn a skill and be more valuable to the workforce thus getting more per hour.
One could use the experience at say a Walmart as work skills training. Like attendance, appearance following instructions being part of both an organization and a team. You can make Walmart a career I am certain but move up the ladder, become a shift leader a manager etc.
Each of us MUST be responsible for our own careers and manage it. Continually educate yourself, work at a career not a job. I do fully realize that there are not a plethora of jobs but look ahead what will we need in this economy Nurses? Healthcare providers of all sorts? Physical therapists respitory therapists etc., machinists on and on. Each of us is totally responsible for our own career the fact that government sets a minimum wage only speaks to it misunderstanding of the workforce. And yes that’s what’s happened here as well.

late the hatin begin

Just sayin

Allender
Allender
Reply to  Joe Pinhead
7 years ago

Great words Joe P

Shelly Liver
Shelly Liver
7 years ago

So use Wal-Mart as a training ground ? All the while they get the biggest profits and knock ma and pop down the road and the employees that go with them?

Joe Pinhead
Joe Pinhead
Reply to  Shelly Liver
7 years ago

Shelly Liver,

I am not saying the taxpayers or anyone else should see Walmart as a training center except for those individuals who are seeking employment there. They should use it to learn and understand what is expected of you while in the workforce. What the expectations are upon you as an employee the fact that you will be accountable to someone while employed. All these things need to be learned and understood by employees once they are learned you gradually move up the ladder getting higher pay etc.
Walmart and similar “jobs” are a great place to learn these traits if your just entering the workforce. It’s a great place for someone to work while going to school to help with books etc. or a parent maybe with a child in school and some extra time. A million reasons why but please have high expectations of and for yourself don’t try to legislate existence in the form of minimum wage. Demand from yourself a rewarding and Fu filling career and enrich your life as well as your families. Show your children how to live not just how to exist.

just sayin

Joe Pinhead
Joe Pinhead
Reply to  Joe Pinhead
7 years ago

Shelly Liver,
As for Walmart or anyone else knocking off a Ma and Pa store yes it happens Walmart doesn’t do that the consumers do that. As I have said on this blog before we each vote everyday with our dollars. You and I are in part responsible for Ma X and Pa X going out of business. We stopped spending money there and they stopped filling our needs. Was it product? Price? Convenience? Customer service? They needed to identify what was needed to capture and maintain their customer base. We all have choices yes it might be difficult to compete with a behemoth as far as price goes but maybe extra service for the customer etc. It isn’t Walmart that holds you hostage in their store, you go there for a reason and a purpose and exchange monies for products. Each of us is free to do that wherever we please and spend where we please. You are in fact more responsible for the demise than Walmart is and ultimately wield the power.

just sayin

Paul
Paul
7 years ago

A huge amount of the work force in Pittsfield are not worth more than minimum wage. The days of a strong work force here are long gone. Just one more reason no manufacturer will never locate here.

Shelly Liver
Shelly Liver
7 years ago

The work force isn’t here because there isn’t any jobs.

spagirl
spagirl
Reply to  Shelly Liver
7 years ago

There aren’t any jobs because there has been No Vision,……….since the 1950’s. The Good Ole Boys have been feathering each other up for decades while the Taxpayers were numb. They still are. Game Over.

Paul
Paul
Reply to  Shelly Liver
7 years ago

The employer’s that are here have trouble filling positions because of drug testing failures, people that do not show up reliably and the list goes on.

mi
mi
7 years ago

All we are is driftwood.

Halo
Halo
7 years ago

Had to come home some freaking dudes puking in the gutter, what a ?…

H
H
7 years ago

I am so I inspired by the Mayor’s address at Taconic High. I got goosebumps.

Pat
Pat
7 years ago

More than 1/2 of the workers here in the Pittsfield Walmart average $14.86 per hour. Didn’t anybody read Dan V.’s article? That is great pay for retail.

SisterGoldenHair
SisterGoldenHair
7 years ago

Pat, that is the full time average, allegedly. Most are part time. What do they make? And the full time average is just that, and could be very skewed by a couple top dogs. Let’s hope a Terry Kinnas type gets the real story. Same with the consent decree.

Luthor Rex
Luthor Rex
Reply to  SisterGoldenHair
7 years ago

Read the article again Sister.
Avj. salary is !14.86 for fll time workers.
More than half of Walmart at Berk Crossing is full time.
DV got the real story.
He also got it with Consent Decree prev. published.

The School committee
The School committee
7 years ago

Raising min wage is great……The good old girls wil suck every dollar out of grampas SS

Henry LaMere'
Henry LaMere'
7 years ago

Great article in Eagle today about the Waterston project. Let’s not let the Bianchi & Mazzeo Naysayers stop a good thing for our city.

VillageKnight
VillageKnight
7 years ago

I am against Walmart moving to new location, because curent site
is perfect for multiple shoppings.
I can go to Home Depot and then
can buy some food in Walmart and even in Food Market near by.
In business and Real Estate location is #1 priority, not taxes.
Idea that people would drive to new Walmart location –just to shop in Walmart ONLY is wrong.