This one's long and a little bit of an indulgence on my part.  If you liked the open letter, you'll like this essay.  If you didn't like the open letter, you won't like it.  So if you're a Wal-Mart sock puppet, don't blame me if you read this and get all offended.

http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_3434522

Link to a syndicated story that appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune 1/25/2006

It appeared in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune 1/28/2006:

http://www.sgvtribune.com/opinions/ci_3445647

Don't forget, the first City Council meeting of 2006 is on Tuesday, January 24th.  This is a good meeting to go to, so we can make it clear that the new year represents a new phase in our battle to save OUR Rosemead.  We want to make a good impression, don't we?  So come one and all to 8838 Valley Blvd. in Rosemead, starting at 8:00PM in the council chambers. 

Dear Volunteers,

Those of you on our e-mail list received your weekly message from SOC yesterday.  I noted in the message that I had a longer version that I figured people probably didn't want to have stuffed into their inboxes.

But, if you feel the need for a pep talk, I've attached the longer version of my letter.

Let's turn crisis into opportunity.  Say "NO" to Wal-Mart.  Support the Recall.

     A recurring issue we've had here in Rosemead is that the editorial board of the local paper has been vocally and unabashedly pro-Wal-Mart.  Headlines, letters to the editor, and (presumably) news stories are often edited in ways that both subtle and unsubtle to present the point of view that a Wal-Mart in Rosemead would bring unimaginable wealth to our city while having no plausible downside.  A recent letter to the editor illustrates this point

Yeah, yeah, we know.  Yet another judge bought the Wal-Mart - Imperial line.  And we know they'll be looking to rub it in on Tuesday.  Let's rain on their parade a little, shall we?

From the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, January 8, 2006:

Hampered by budget cuts and a shortage of officers, the time it takes for Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies to respond to public calls for help - including life-threatening emergencies - is increasing, according to Sheriff's Department data.

Since 2002, average response times to emergency calls have risen 4 percent to five minutes in cities that contract with the department. In unincorporated areas, average response times have increased 3 percent to 6.4 minutes. The time it takes deputies to respond to "priority" calls for such things as robberies, burglaries and domestic violence has increased 19percent in contract cities and 17 percent in unincorporated areas, according to the data. Response times to "routine" calls like stolen vehicles, missing people and vandalism have increased 12 percent in contract cities and 18 percent in unincorporated areas.

Polly Low's campaign headquarters is located at 8730 Valley Blvd, just a half block west of city hall and a short block east of Walnut Grove.  Precinct walking continues on weekends, from around 10am - dark. 

Victor Ruiz is running his campaign out of 9703 Olney St.

Any time you can spare to help bring change to Rosemead would be appreciated.

If you'd like me to forward a message to either of these candidates, send me an e-mail at news@saveourcommunity.us