Trib taken to task

It was not surprising that on Feb. 18 the San Gabriel Valley Tribune and the Pasadena Star- News endorsed the three Rosemead incumbents for re-election on March 8. What was surprising were the numerous mis-statements in the endorsement.

Has anyone from either paper ever visited the site of Wal- Mart's proposed super center? Yes, it is true that it's "24 acres of vacant land at Walnut Grove and Rush.'

Vote anti-Wal-Mart

It is time for a change on the Rosemead City Council via the March 8 municipal election. The five council members are not responsive to the needs and concerns of their constituents. They disregarded the pleas of Rosemead residents who protested against a Wal-Mart super center on Rush from Walnut Grove to Delta.

The residents presented evidence that a 24-hour super center would bring an excessive amount of traffic into the area. They pointed out that the super center would also drastically increase noise and air pollution, which would have a negative effect on the students at Rice Elementary School, located on the north side of Rush.

As quoted in the Tribune on Sat., Aug. 21, "Lewis said the Garvey School District stands to gain $80,000 in developer's fees and future cash from property taxes and other fees.

"'I didn't think Garvey was so well funded that they could afford to do without those resources,'' Lewis said.

Mike Lewis has declared himself as a true Wal-Mart employee money before principle.

I congratulate the Garvey School Board. The Garvey School District certainly needs money as do all cities and school districts. However, the board has decided that, for reasons of safety and health, the correct thing is to oppose a Wal-Mart Supercenter with 15,000 vehicle trips per day and a major increase in air pollution emanating from a site directly across from the Rice Elementary School at Rush Street and Delta Avenue.

All in viewpoint

UC Berkeley recently released a report documenting the high use of social safety-net programs by employees of Wal- Mart in this state. Dan Weintraub's column "Credit Wal- Mart for 1 percent of low wages, hidden costs' (Aug. 18) argues that this study is meaningless as Wal-Mart creates jobs for people who would otherwise be unemployed. Missing in his picture are the store closures caused by Wal-Mart.

What's real deal?

Concerned residents who oppose the development of a Wal- Mart Supercenter at Rush and Walnut Grove are not getting straightforward answers to their questions from the Rosemead Planning Commission.

We have been told that there will be no Wal-Mart truck traffic on Delta. Then we have been told that truck traffic will not be routed on Walnut Grove Avenue but instead will be routed on San Gabriel Boulevard and then to Rush.

Questions remain

Section 4.0, "Mitigation Monitoring Plan,' of the Final Environmental Impact Report raises many questions about the effects of air pollution on area residents if the Wal-Mart Supercenter at Rush and Walnut Grove is approved.

Section 4.4.13 states that "Pursuant to SCAQMD recommendations, the following measures addressing project construction emissions shall be implemented ... Routing of construction trucks so as to avoid congested streets or sensitive receptors.'

Wal-Mart not wanted

I live near Don Bosco School on San Gabriel Boulevard and traffic on San Gabriel and Walnut Grove is already very bad.

The majority at the meeting on Aug. 16 were against Wal-Mart in their back yard.

As for Kohls Department store, proposed on Rosemead Boulevard and Huntington Drive, the difference is that this is a commercial area and streets can handle heavy traffic, which we cannot here.

Forum planned

We want to thank state Sen. Gloria Romero, 24th District, for her plan to hold a residents' forum with respect to Wal- Mart's proposal to build a super center at Rush and Walnut Grove.

The definite time and place for the forum has not yet been determined.

Once the announcement is made as to time and place, it is important for concerned residents of Rosemead and South San Gabriel to plan to attend so they can testify to the problems that a Wal-Mart super center would bring to their residential neighborhood.