Don't need another big box store

Editor,

We are citizens of Sanders County and was shop in Polson. We are saddened by the decline of Polson's downtown area and local businesses such as the office supply store and the Penny Whistle Music Store.

We are concerned that Super Wal-Mart will put more local places out of businesses. The industry analyst, Retail Forward, predicted that for every new Super Wal-Mart, two local supermarkets would close. It is like a "retail hurricane" causing the demise of smaller, independent businesses.

Polson is a very aesthetically pleasing place. When people arrive in Polson from the south they see a gorgeous view of Flathead Lake. If the Super Wal-Mart is built, the view will be lost. In addition, property values are negatively affected due to the empty commercial spaces and lack of interest in competing with Wal-Mart's prices.

We're worried about low prices at a high cost. Wal-Mart employees are the top recipients of taxpayer-paid health care. Wal-Mart fails to provide health insurance for over half their employees.

We don't need another big box store in our pristine beautiful lakefront town.

Abby Coleman

Jeff Morrow

Caroline Gibson

Janell Clarke

Laura Lanfear

Hot Springs