Enjoyed working as Wal-Mart greeter

Editor,

I have been reading the letters pro and con regarding the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter and feel I have to respond. I retired in February 2005 but only because my age caught up with my knees. I loved the job of being a people greeter and I was one for five and a half years.

For me, it was a very rewarding experience. I know of no other company who pays senior citizens to hand out carts and welcome people into their store.

I received a good wage, a discount on my purchases (which I really miss). Although I didn't participate in the 401K or stock plan, the company put money into my account, which I drew out upon retirement. Had I been younger I most surely would have taken advantage of these plans.

Each year on my anniversary date I had an evaluation with two members of management and after that I received a new yearly wage increase.

Also, as an incentive to work safely, there were many occasions when doughnuts were offered, also barbecued hamburgers, hot dogs, steak and pizza at no cost to associates.

During the many years I worked at Super 1, I remember working several times for two years without receiving a raise. Also, I never knew of any get-togethers like we had at Wal-Mart. For me, Wal-Mart was like being part of a big family.

If the proposed Cougar Ridge development goes in, that certainly seems like strip development, and if that many homes are purchased those people will surely need a larger shopping area and a Super Wal-Mart will help fill that need.

When we came here in January 1960, Funke and Sons was a large department store on 93 across from The Salish. It had great merchandise and a large selection of everything. There were three nice ladies' dress shops, a good old-fashioned western store, several restaurants, a two-story JC Penney store, two nice drug stores that carried a large variety of merchandise, a Gambles store, small grocery stores, all on Main Street; Davis Mercantile was nice hardware store on 93; Don's Variety was also on Main Street.

In the late '60s or early '70s there was a good sporting goods store at the corner of Main and 93. Later, Schaffer's Dept. Store came and also an Army and Navy store.

I know I'm missing others, but they were all gone long before Wal-Mart came.

As a people greeter I often spoke to people from around the area — Thompson Falls, Plains, Hot Springs, St. Ignatius, Charlo, Bigfork, even Arlee.

If our area were to offer more, the people would come rather than go to Missoula or Kalispell.

I think one of my most memorable experiences was a Sunday morning in summer when a boy, probably 10 or 11 years old, stood in the doorway, raised his arms over his head, took a deep breath and said, "Ahh, the sweet smell of Wally World."

I spoke to his parents who followed him in and they were from Florida, traveling through.

He really made my day, he was happy to be there.

Go for it, Wal-Mart. Let's get our Super Center.

Darlene Allik

Polson