Farrell sticks up for little guy vs. Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart and city staff came before the City Council on Tuesday requesting approval of a special event permit for Wal-Mart’s upcoming grand opening.

The controversial part of the package was the allowance of billboard-type signage, which, though allowable as part of a special event permit, would be in violation of the city code on its own, as Councilman Carl Diedrich pointed out. Diedrich expressed his concern that the city is making exceptions to its own rules to accommodate Wal-Mart, and he fears a precedent-setting move of acquiescing to the requests of “big box” retailers when it would not do the same for other businesses.

In a surprising and refreshing act of support of existing local businesses, Councilman Edward Farrell asked the Wal-Mart representatives if the company was using Maricopa’s local media outlets to advertise the grand opening. Wal-Mart’s PR person accurately said the company has effectively used local media to promote the store – via free publicity. Farrell did not relent and followed his original question with, “So moving forward … we will see some paid advertising from Wal-Mart in our local media in the months to come?”

Wal-Mart will bring hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue to the city. And businesses anchored by the retail giant will be created and thrive because of its existence.

On the flipside, the well-documented “Wal-Mart effect” will have a detrimental effect on a large portion of Maricopa’s existing businesses when it opens May 20. And, coupled with the current recession, the blow will likely be fatal for some of our small businesses in town.

On behalf of my competitors and all Maricopa business, thank you Councilman Farrell for sticking up for the “little guy!”

File Photo