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Wal-Mart: Ignoring communities since 1962
From the Altus Times in Altus, OK:
Over the last two decades, Wal-Mart has marched through communities like Jackson County, Ga., and Jackson County, Oklahoma, putting many small businesses out of business. These were businesses that were part of the daily life of Altus and Jefferson, Ga., the county seat of Jackson County. These businesses were run by locals, employed locals, were covered by local newspapers and, yes, bought advertising in local media.
Then came the Arkansas equivalent of Gen. Sherman, putting mom and pop out of business and turning its nose up at local media. And it wasn't just a matter of advertising. If someone got involved in a fender bender in the Wal-Mart parking lot, employees and managers were absolutely forbidden to speak to a reporter...All reporters are to be referred to the Wal-Mart Media Office, which evidently hires people based on their ability to talk without saying anything.
Full article, which goes on to describe a letter written back to Lee Scott about abuse of local newspapers, is available here.
Posted by Brendan - May 16, 2005 04:19 PM - In Your Community