Sequim: “Adversarial” to Business?
A developer has filed a lawsuit in Clallam County Superior Court against the Sequim City Council. The suit, filed by Ed Sumpter, is in regard to the impact/mitigation fees that the City Council imposed on his Priest Road Center.
He said in an interview that the Sequim City Council has an “adversarial relationship” to the business community.
Just driving around Sequim and seeing all the housing developments, strip malls and big box stores, it looks to the casual observer like there’s nothing “adversarial” between business and the Sequim City Council.
He said in an interview that the Sequim City Council has an “adversarial relationship” to the business community.
Just driving around Sequim and seeing all the housing developments, strip malls and big box stores, it looks to the casual observer like there’s nothing “adversarial” between business and the Sequim City Council.
Labels: Ed Sumpter, Priest Road Center, Sequim “adversarial relationship”, Sequim city council
posted by Tom Harper at 5:11 PM
32 Comments:
Don't need the new shopping center. Bunch it, and we'll all be better off
Hum...
Wait, I don't give a crap what is going on over in Sequim as long as it isn't coming here.
It just shows everyone that for real estate developers, ANY limits are too many. They don't care about potential negative impacts to a community, just as long as they get to build their project, make their money, and move on.
Let the future generations deal with the problems created today, as long as I can make my money now.
Interesting that we are sitting down at 36, well, we used to be happier.
HAPPIEST STATES
"Let the future generations deal with the problems created today, as long as I can make my money now."
You gotta problem with Capitolism, Comrade?
You gotta problem with Capitolism, Comrade?
I have a problem with capitalistic greed, your spelling beside the point, interesting spelling of a word though, I suppose that it may show up in a dictionary in a few years.
We'll be happier when the Democrats no longer control this state that is going down the toilet fast! We pay the highest tax on gasoline of any state.
Call yourself anything you want, and use any label you want. Show me how much you actually care about the community you live in through your deeds.
Rhetoric is cheap and all too easy.
Some Komrades kome from Kursk.
Just saying....
Enjoy the log as always Tom,thanks.
"..Rhetoric is cheap and all too easy."
Say, ain't you Some Kinda Komrade spellin words like retorik like 'at?
We gots are iyes on yous camrade
Yeah,
I gotta BIG Problem with any ass clown that would CAPITOLIZE capitolism.
What a marroon.
36.7* f @ 4:52am
We'll be happier when the Democrats no longer control this state that is going down the toilet fast!
Oh, I'm pretty sure that we wouldn't be any happier if the repuks was in control. Our political system is just bullshit.
Call yourself anything you want, and use any label you want. Show me how much you actually care about the community you live in through your deeds.
You talking to me? I'll compare the volunteer work I've done to what you have done.
"We'll be happier when the Democrats no longer control this state that is going down the toilet fast!"
The Konserva-Krazies are back!
Oh, sure ... we could be just like those happy Republican governed states California and Texas. Bankrupt!
BTW, Happy Holidays, Konserva-Krazies. Who loves ya?
How bizarre is it to focus on ONE tax - which is a very valid tax, by the way - as a reason that Washington is "going down the toilet fast!" I think you're failing to see the forest for the trees, Sally.
As for being adversarial to business...I'm in favor of it when it concerns chain/big box stores and franchises that will come in and suck the life, culture and economy out of a town. This isn't being hostile to business; it's protecting your local assets - including LOCAL businesses.
Or, put another way: If you shop at Wal-Mart, or eat at McDonalds, or buy your coffee at Starbucks, you are helping to destroy your community. And that hurts us more than all the gasoline taxes in the world.
Do we REALLY want every town in America to end up looking the same, with the same chain restaurants and retail stores? Do we REALLY want to embrace corporate conformity at the expense of individual identity? Think about that the next time you're chosing where to spend your hard-earned dollars.
I'm with the Watcher.
But, I also suspect the moment a McD's moves in the health declines in a town. When Walmart moves in, the IQ's decline.
Our town is in much worse shape since Walmart came to town -- before that it had a lot of interesting retail shops, and all the still existing ones had a multitude of choices.
For instance: Swains is but a small, small sad shadow of what it once was.
I liked it better then the big box stores ruined Silverdale, and we could claim that our town was pristine...no more. Walmart is the great blow-job of the century.
"Low prices" until all the competition is run out of business, or financially in ruin -- then the prices go "BOING" and they're higher than the country average.
Watch the new super-screwed-up store to focus on running Saars out of business, and Jim's. That's what they do....it's like a cancer, attacking the "good cells".
"Watch the new super-screwed-up store to focus on running Saars out of business, and Jim's. That's what they do....it's like a cancer, attacking the "good cells"."
You must be some kind of anti-capitalist Commie.
Seriously, though. I have talked with the folks at SAARS over the last few years about the coming Wal-Mart Super Store. They see it as their demise.
It looks like we will see..
"Our town is in much worse shape since Walmart came to town -- before that it had a lot of interesting retail shops, and all the still existing ones had a multitude of choices."
Yes, and the local shoppers had a choice which stores to support.
Who is to blame?
Those that offered a choice, or those that made the choice?
oh! did the shoppers REALLY have a choice? How do little stores compete with Walmart and their 24/7 billion dollar ad campaign that bombards people on radio and television? How do shoppers have a "choice" when they've been brainwashed since they were little to become good robots and shop -- shop -- shop. What exactly do YOU think the credit mess is about...79.9% interest on a credit card (just came out..thank you Banking Reform Act)? The average American already has over 5k in credit card debt -- what exactly did they buy? JUNK FROM CHINA.
We have been told, even by the likes of you, that it is communist to not consume...to shop until you drop, to keep the economy inflated by continuing to shop. Christmas is all about shopping, blindly shopping. We're sold crummy goods, poorly made, that are built to fail (true phrase). Nothing is meant to last, because why sell a consumer ONE thing when you can sell them a few dozen. Ever buy a razor that was "discontinued"...they stop making blades. Why? To introduce a NEW razor. Does this make sense to you? Why do we need more and more and more and more, and cry out louder that it's better, faster, and CHEAPER.
I think the poor education and the advertising/consumer insanity is linked. The lower the educational quality of an area, the more isolated -- the more they're ripe to "go shop Walmart" instead of going for a walk, playing ball with the kids, etc. Walmart is somewhere to go..oh, yeah, and while you are there, buy a loss leader....oh, and you needed toilet paper, so what if it's going to cost more, you are there. You can mentally justify that. THAT is what Walmart depends upon. People intending to get one item, usually purchase 10.
Meanwhile, used up all your money...none left to go to that old Swain's. The PROBLEM with Walmart is that it is a manipulative corporation -- they've studied, in spades, the actions of people, what their buying habits are, and what socio-economic group they appeal to, and how to undercut, and destroy the local stores. They've done it all over America. And, look at us now!
Our landfills are overflowing, our debt load massive, and our quality of life dropping. Why? Shop shop shop, gotta have new, more, cheaper.
Thank you, Walmart.
Weird Port Angeles video on Youtube.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=birUVQE9n-U
"They've done it all over America. And, look at us now!
Our landfills are overflowing, our debt load massive, and our quality of life dropping. Why?"
You're arguements are not convincing me.
Don't get me wrong, I am on "your side" on this, fundementally, but you are relying too much on rhetoric, and the examples you use contradict your points.
If people have been brainwashed to be indiscriminant robot shoppers, why shop Walmart when they can shop Rite Aid, the Dollar Store franchises, or any of the other purveyors of Chinese made crap?
If they are inclined to shop at Swains, your comments that they already spent their available dollars at WalMart, and so cannot, isn't convincing.
Our landfills ARE filling, our debt load IS increasing, our quality of life IS dropping. But I won't blame the existance of WalMart for that. They are opportunists. They know Americans are looking out for "Number One", first and foremost. Little else matters.
Remember Bush's "Pre-Emptive Rights" strategy ? He proposed that the US has the right to go into any country the US even THINKS MIGHT be a threat to it's security, and that it has the RIGHT use ANY means it deems appropriate to deal with that threat.
Obviously, from your writings, you are smart enough to see the implications as they apply here.
For everyone else, the implications implied are these. A large percentage of US citizens supported Bushs' policies concerning national security. The doctrine I reference played to that support, in saying nothing else matters except the US and what it wants. That the US has "rights" that supercede those of every other inhabitant of the planet.
How does this apply to increasing landfills, debt load, and lower quality of life? Because those that agree with and support the "USA has pre-emptive rights over everyone else" feel their needs and desires are more important than the consequences.
Of course, this view of things is just a convenient self serving fantasy, and just adds to the problems on all levels, from international affairs to the personal lives of so many now in debt, and out of work.
And even still, most will still support those destructive views. WalMart is building a new, bigger store right here in Port Angeles. And, I'll bet THEIR market analysis told them the new store will be successful.
We buy too much -- so much so that nothing has meaning. As consumers we're acting more like addicts. We want to shop to feel good, to fill a hole in our lives, to bolster up self-esteem, to placate us when we are bored or annoyed, or just can't think of what else to do.
No, Walmart is NOT the REASON for it. However, it is the big fat, wet, filthy, farting red thumb that sticks up out of the pile of other crummy chains and greed fueled corporations.
The average Walmart shopper always says they shop there for 'great prices'. But it's a fake and hollow reason. The prices are NOT better at Walmart -- not overall. Only the loss leaders are cheap (those things on sale that are at the end isles or on displays). The vast majority of things are not any cheaper than anywhere else, and often more expensive.
The thing about Walmart is they cut sweetheart deals with the cities and counties they are in, for lower tax rates, but then turn around and hire employees part-time, and encourage they also seek out food stamps, and other "goverment suckling" behaviour, that depletes a community. No living wage because "that would be passed onto the consumers". Right. Their corporate heads make millions of dollars a year on massive amounts of profits.
Yes, I agree, our government has been hijacked, it's world concepts perverted -- but this is nothing new. Read the book "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man".
When our legislators try and get elected they like to portray themselves as struggling 'common man', but the reality is it's a millionaires club. The average net worth of the people we elect is $8.9 million. (Their salary is $174k a year.) But, the rules are vague on what they must disclose -- they are required to disclose only the ranges of dollar values into which their assets fall, rather than an exact figure. So, it's clear -- these people do NOT need lobbyists to buy them dinner, pay for lavish 'fact finding' vacations, or dangle other perks. Lobbyists outnumber our elected by 5-8 to one. These are the people that our elected officials listen to. That is to whom they are bound. It's not just meals....that lobbyists provide.
Lobbyists are so close to lawmakers that in some instances they even help write legislation. Many legislators admit that they rely on lobbyists, rather than independent researchers, to supply them with information needed to craft legislation. Some legislators allow lobbyists to supply drafts of bills and amendments.
Wonder why the powerful credit card lobby was able to slip in the new credit card rates (79.9%%) in the new "banking reform bill"?
Our country is rotting....
"Our country is rotting...."
And you see it right here, in Port Angeles. We pay high taxes, but still need to pass "levies" to keep the schools marginally functional, and the local pool open for the kids.
But the taxes did not go down when those levies were voted in. The same amount (or more)taxes are collected from our incomes and spending as before, but now the various agencies are free of the financial outlay previously obligated for the schools, pool, etc, and now taken over by the public via the levies. Where did those previous budget allocations go to?
Clever, those politicians!
I'm not as interested in the Federal level politics. Not much we can do with that system of lobbyists and cronies. But I AM interested in the local folks.
THOSE folks I pay close attention to.
The sad reality is that the big box stores, (WalMart included) and 800+ jobs they bring to the North Olympic Peninsula, we would be much worse off economically. Before they came, local retailers still lost much of their business to the weekend trips to Silverdale!
"Before they came, local retailers still lost much of their business to the weekend trips to Silverdale!"
Why? (I'm not doubting what you're saying).
In all the years Port Angeles has exisited, why can't it provide for it's own? Why, before the big-box stores, did the locals head to Silverdale to do the bulk of their shopping?
How many years did this go on for, before Sequim allowed the big-boxers to locate there?
A lot of it has to do with "who cares" attitude many merchants have/had. Lousy selection, price gouging, rude or indifferent attitudes. It is/was worth the price of gas tog o to Silverdale and get what you want without the hassle.
It was in the mid 1970's, if I recall correctly, but it wasn't until they stopped collecting the toll to cross the Hood Canal Bridge that people started going over there just to shop.
Why do people go to Silverdale? I can think of a few reasons...
1. People go stir-crazy and need to get out of town. There's a lot of isolationists up here who don't understand this, but I assure you some of us enjoy something other than Port Angeles occasionally. Even a day with a change of scenery is nice.
2. Increased variety, or the illusion thereof. Sure, most of the stores stocks the same cheap crap from China, but it looks like there's a veritable cornucopia of selection in Silverdale. As opposed to Port Angeles, where there's often one and only store stocking a particular kind of item.
3. Pretty much everything anon 11:20 said. It's sure better than it was in the '90s. To this day there are places I won't set foot in because of the owner's behavior. I'm not a rude customer and I don't think I deserve the attitude I've encountered at some stores here... from boredom at helping customers to outright hatred. Say what you will about Walmart, at least seems like they give a crap.
4. Sometimes you just can't get what you want here. Like men's clothes. There's, what, Toggery for really expensive stuff, Swain's for Carhartt's, or Walmart for cheap crap that will fall apart in a month. If I want to shop for casual clothes, I have to go out of town.
5. There is no number five.
I think that some monkeys should stop fussing about Walmart so much, they don't have everything everyone wants. And I don't care if you shop at Swain's or Sunset Wire and Rope, you will find plenty of products made in China there also.
How do you compete with Walmart? Well you use your brain (you do have one don't you?) and open a specialty store in the the same mall or area specializing in some area they are weak on.
Like a western store, you'll do real good pushing your Chinese made stuff through it and help feed another soul on the other side of the planet.
Like it or not, America is not special and globalization is here. But if you insist on buying only America, or what you think is American, I'm okay with that.
If you like paying a lot extra for $35.00 an hour union labor and good benefits for them for what you buy, go for it. As long as they can get you to do that they'll go for $40.00 an hour in the next contract.
Our landfills are overflowing,
Actually, I think that we are sending our shit to Oregon now, not a clue why they want it though.
I'd pay for the American Union jobs if it meant the product was well made, didn't fall apart after a few washings, worked for longer than a few years, and wasn't 'designed to fail'. I'd rather have way less and better, well made, than a bunch of crappy junk.
On one hand: " How do little stores compete with Walmart and their 24/7 billion dollar ad campaign that bombards people on radio and television? How do shoppers have a "choice" when they've been brainwashed since they were little to become good robots and shop -- shop -- shop."
But on the other: "A lot of it has to do with "who cares" attitude many merchants have/had. Lousy selection, price gouging, rude or indifferent attitudes. It is/was worth the price of gas to go to Silverdale and get what you want without the hassle."
And: "It was in the mid 1970's, if I recall correctly, but it wasn't until they stopped collecting the toll to cross the Hood Canal Bridge that people started going over there just to shop."
So, it seems the local merchants, not WalMart, have a large degree of responsibility for the problems in Port Angeles. Walmart provides the choice, and the local consumers make the choices.
There was once an Ernst hardware store in Sequim. The Ernst chain used to be quite good, but they fell into the trap of over expanding,going into debt, opening more stores to cover their immediate losses, cutting back on quality products and, if I'm not mistaken, filed for bankruptcy a few years back.
But the Sequim store was the perfect example of customer service on the Peninsula in the early '90s. BAD The selection was crap, the sales staff and management was utterly clueless and indifferent. They would sell broken products to the suckers. If you ordered something they would either lose the order or what arrived was completely wrong. If you complained you got the "so what?" attitude.
This was the prevalent attitude at the time and while it's much, much better there are still pockets of "so what?" around.
BBC said "Oh, I'm pretty sure that we wouldn't be any happier if the repuks was in control. Our political system is just bullshit. "
repuks was? Yous gots a lotsa nerve tsking another poster's spelling. Mind your own house. It seems to be on fire.
" ...repuks was? Yous gots a lotsa nerve tsking another poster's spelling. Mind your own house. It seems to be on fire."
So, that is as much as you got out of reading that thread? Out of all the concerns raised, and observations noted, that is the only comment you could muster?
Okay. I'm impressed.
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