<b>To the Editor:</b>

I lived in Winslow until l97l and enjoy reading the Winslow Mail online. I see that Winslow is fighting a Supercenter too.

I live in Arkansas City, Kansas a town of about l4,000. Winfield, Kansas is about l0 miles north of us and is about the same size town. We both have Wal-Mart stores of regular size now. Wal-Mart is also in the process of getting the permits to build a large Supercenter there. It will be in a rural residential area and the people don’t want it there. It looks like it is a done deal though.

They promise to employ a lot of people but I’m sure a number of local businesses will go out when this goes in. Now we learn that the Wal-Mart here is going to supersize next door to the current Wal-Mart.

We currently have three grocery stores and most feel at least two of them will go out then. We also have a large Supercenter at Ponca City, Okla. that is 30 miles south of us. It has lots of other business within it, like a beauty shop, fingernail shop, small bank, tax preparing, photo studio as well as they do one-hour developing in the store, game room, flower shop and more. This puts out small business in the communities as well.

We already have no variety of shopping in Arkansas City since Wal-Mart come in here in the l980’s. We used to have a variety of clothing and retail stores to choose from. And the huge current buildings will probably sit empty since who can compete with them and use the large space?

Our local newspaper The Arkansas City Traveler has run some stories on this. They also own the Winfield newspaper. Anyway I thought this was odd that all these towns are having the same problem. So who knows how many other towns are going through the same thing? 

Carrol Ames Engelking

Arkansas City, Kansas

To the Editor,

This is in response to a letter in the Nov. 3, issue of the Winslow Mail written by a local resident, as I know she was referring to my ads in the Scoop.

First of all I am opposed to all “big box” stores not just Wal-Mart and I am not afraid to say it. I am an American. I have the right to my opinion and free speech.

There are plenty of in-depth case studies to show the negative effects they have on small communities. Trust me, I have spent many hours sifting through them. It is funny, she (the letter writer) agreed with the statement that “Americans deserve more than one store,” and then goes on to say, “so does Winslow.” How does Wal-Mart expanding into a Supercenter give you more than one choice?

I only want to address the Al Norman issue. I was the one who contacted him, me, and no one else. I have spoken with him on the phone and through e-mails. I contacted him not to speak for her or anybody else, but because I wanted the real deal on these “big box” stores and I really do not care if she or anyone else is offended.

I care about Winslow and the people who live here. It is my home. We all do what we feel we have to. I was not put on this planet to impress anyone or to win any popularity contests. I do what I feel is right. I stand up for what I believe in and I will not apologize for that.

Cristy Stinson

Winslow

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