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CLOUDY Temp: 61 °F Wind: WNW at 5 mph Monday, September 29, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend August 30, 2003 Wal-Mart seeks support via mail By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT — More than 10,000 fliers urging residents to support a proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter found their way into Central Point mailboxes this week. "We think it’s important for people to voice their opinions one way or another," Wal-Mart spokeswoman Amy Hill said on Friday. "There is a vocal minority out there trying to stop Wal-Mart in Central Point. We wanted to give people a chance to show their support." The mass mailings prompted a steady stream of phone calls on Friday to the office of Central Point First, an organization that opposes plans for the 207,000-square-foot store off East Pine Street near Interstate 5. "I get the impression from this that they (Wal-Mart) know they have a problem," said the group’s spokeswoman, Becca Frost. "I’m not that concerned." Advertisement Central Point city councilwoman Donna Higginbotham said the Wal-Mart flier showed up in her mailbox on Friday. Higginbotham said she couldn’t say what she thought about the proposed store because the City Council has yet to vote on several issues pertaining to it. "I can’t comment about my feelings on this," she said. "We have to keep this on the up and up." The one-page flier urged residents to pledge their support for Wal-Mart in a variety of ways, including writing letters to the editor or speaking out at public hearings and meetings. Residents were asked to provide their addresses on an attached card and mail them to an office in Springfield. No postage was required. Hill said Wal-Mart often uses such fliers when trying to build a new store. She said the retailer might mail a similar flier to Medford residents as part of its attempt to build a Supercenter at Miles Field. The response rate for Wal-Mart’s fliers ranges from 2 to 10 percent, Hill added. "It allows us to get some information about the project out," said Hill, who would not disclose how much the mass mailings to Central Point cost. "It’s a good use of our resources." The flier offered several facts about Wal-Mart, including that the worldwide chain employs more than 8,000 Oregon residents and that a Supercenter in Central Point would bring 250 additional jobs to the community. But Croft noted that the flier didn’t address any in-depth issues related to the Central Point proposal, such as the size of the store or potential traffic congestion. She was also alarmed that the flier referred to Central Point First as a "small but vocal group." "We’re not that small and we’re not that vocal," said Croft, who would not disclose how many people were members of Central Point First or how many residents had signed a petition to stop the proposed Supercenter. "We’re bigger than you think," she added. Not all residents were alarmed by the mailing. Central Point resident Gloria Ruth has three children who work at Wal-Mart stores. She plans to pledge her support by mailing in the flier. Ruth said many people believe Wal-Mart pays minimum wage, but that her children earn between $9 and $15 an hour. "I’m not real happy with the other two grocery stores in town," added Ruth, who likes Wal-Mart’s bargain prices and large selection. "I’m happy to see one in Central Point." Reach reporter Jill Briskeyat 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times