big boxing

from yesterday's e-mail for the Wal-Mart campaign (which is quickly turning into a more general concern about big box stores):

In Thursday, October 14?s Commercial News, a front page story covered a proposal from Menards to Fabius Township for rezoning of property west of 131 and south of Millard for a store even larger than the one Wal-Mart has proposed. Also, on the front page of the October 26 paper was a story about the school board voting to sell the Johnnycake Preschool property to Wal-Mart. This confirms my conviction that we need a cohesive, forward-thinking vision for what we?d like to see our city become if we ever hope to be more than another characterless cluster of chain stores. My hope is that the Menard?s proposal will cause Fabius decision-makers to seriously consider the pattern that would be established for the future if they begin rezoning land for big box store development.

We have not abandoned the work to critically examine Wal-Mart?s potential impact on the Three Rivers area; in fact, we?re distributing Wal-Mart-related information and statistics to the Fabius Township Board and the Three Rivers City Commission, since these groups stand to be the front-line decision-makers, now and in the future. Unfortunately, the city commissioners who are up for election next week seem to be apathetic at best as to whether Wal-Mart and the like would make a good addition to the community (see below for an article in which Wendell Berry has some choice words for such people). The prevailing attitude is that we can?t fight ?em, so we might as well join ?em. However, I?m convinced that we can do better than to lie down and let the highest bidder buy our dreams for the future of our city.

Of course surrendering to the whims of the free market is easier and less time-consuming than putting up a fight on principle. But we must seriously consider that we?re in the position to decide for the generations to come whether Three Rivers will be a soulless city that uncritically prostitutes itself for easy gain or a willful city committed to long-term, sustainable growth built on what history has shown us is truly valuable, which includes relationships and a sense of community that no amount of money can buy. Though it?s contrary to our instincts, seeking growth with wisdom and discernment means that sometimes, we may have to say ?no? to short-term gain because the big picture shows us all that we stand to lose in the long-run.

I sense that my voice in opposition to big box developments in Three Rivers is a very lonely one and that they will come in the end, not because their coming is unavoidably inevitable, as so many claim, but because too few of us were willing to ask critical questions and take an unpopular stand. However, I?m hopeful that even though I?m entering the conversation at a late stage, I can connect with people who are asking similar questions and who also have an interest in the long-term well-being of Three Rivers. I hope that together, we can build a vibrant, unique community that serves our citizens in all their wonderful diversity with excellent places to live, work and play.