Opinion - Letters to the Editor

POSTED: Tuesday, Jun. 23, 2009

Meeting important to future of stores

The Bellingham Planning Commission's public hearing Thursday, June 25, is not only important for the two main areas in the Guide Meridian/Cordata Neighborhood, it is important for the entire city, neighboring Whatcom County cities and British Columbia. Have you tried to find a parking space in Wal-Mart or Costco? Not easy, is it?

In a story in the May 22 edition of The Bellingham Herald it said the taxes the city receives from big-box businesses accounted for 15.7 percent of the sales tax revenues the city received. In all taxes and fees Wal-Mart and Costco paid the city nearly $4.2 million. That helps pay for many items in the city's budget.

But the big boxes can enter into an agreement to relocate. Then what? We will have two giant, empty big boxes that don't bring in any taxes, period. There are many buildings sitting empty now in our area. When will they get leased or bought? Even when the economy turns around it will take time for big companies to enter our area.

There are the usual reasons used by people against Wal-Mart. My answer is "sorry but it's more important to purchase the myriad of supplies families need to run a home with cost saving items."

Adrienne Lederer

Bellingham