'Civility' is needed in discussions
Editor,
An honest, yet honorable, debate about the proposed Wal-Mart expansion in our community is healthy and warranted. Unfortunately, it is not clear to me that we have gotten to the "honorable" part yet, on either side of the debate. We all have a right, even an obligation, to express our opinions with civility, and we should be able to do so without fear of ugly reprisal.
It seems clear that a majority of people here support the Wal-Mart expansion, and would benefit from it. That's good enough for me. It really doesn't matter whether I personally support the expansion or not. This expansions something people want here. The Wal-Mart expansion will increase shopping choices, and more choices make a better market and a better market is beneficial to everyone … yes, even to those who are fighting the expansion project.
No local business person, including me, has the right to expect the local government to protect him or her from new competition. To expect such and receive same denies the economic interests of the balance of the community.
The Polson city council is in a unique position. The decisions it will make regards the proposed Wal-Mart expansion will affect most everyone in the valley, not simply Polson. I trust the Polson city council to not artificially bind its citizens, and the rest of us in the valley, to our present limited shopping choices. To do otherwise effectively creates an unjustifiable subsidy of certain businesses in our community. The city council should do its best to accommodate the Wal-Mart expansion, just as it would any other business that proposed to make a sizable investment in our community.
I have complete confidence that those elected to make decisions regards the Wal-Mart expansion will consider the more quiet voice of the majority of citizens here and decide accordingly.
To Randy, Bruce, Fred, Jules, Mark, Mike and Tom, you have a thankless job. Thank you for all that you do on behalf of the citizens of Polson … and the valley.
Tony Marshall
Polson