Say no to Wal-Mart

Dear Editor,

As a Tara Plantation resident, I have seen firsthand how "well" the county planners have done in this area of the township. In the 20-some years of this neighborhood's history, we have had to struggle for water, sewers, paving and zoning changes. We now have a battle on our hands that will significantly impact us financially: Wal-Mart directly across the street!

One does not need a crystal ball to see the future for our area. We will be the new Cherry Road.

Melinda Schenk

Fort Mill

Wal-Mart won't help

Dear Editor,

Tega Cay residents will benefit financially but the rest of us in Fort Mill will have to suffer through having Wal-Mart near our homes.

Christina Turner

Fort Mill

It will hurt Fort Mill

Dear Editor,

Planning is indeed the key to a successful balance. Let us plan on keeping our town's spirit as it grows. That feeling of community will be lost if we allow a business such as Wal-Mart to move into our town.

Wal-Mart no longer "buys American," and the jobs they offer are nothing to be pleased about. Yes, you may be able to save an extra 50 cents, but at what cost?

Mina McLean

Fort Mill

The legacy of the Big Box retailer

Dear Editor,

All across America you can see them - 20 acres of strip mall nirvana. Alas, they were once centers of convenience and consumerism providing a few jobs and some tax benefit. Then within a generation, the jobs have gone, the tax revenues have gone, and the big empty box and vacant asphalt lot remain. Tega Cay inherits the empty parking lot, a decaying building, and trash tumbleweeds blowing in the wind. Sound unrealistic?

Chris Krafft

Fort Mill

Preserve our town

Dear Editor,

Wal-Mart is simply not the right fit for Tega Cay.

Phiddy Webb

Tega Cay

Put children first

Dear Editor,

Right now, I feel our children are safe at all the Fort Mill schools, but with a retail store across the street or nearby any of them, could we still feel the same way?

Our buses have a hard enough time trying to get out of Dam Road. They will never be able to get in and out with all the traffic that a retail store would bring.

Gayle Crowe

Fort Mill

Protect our town

Dear Editor,

Despite all the recent growth, Tega Cay and Fort Mill are still small towns, and we need to take a deep breath before giving in to corporate America.

Traffic, crime and the inevitable tag-along businesses will liken Hwy. 160 West to Independence Boulevard in Charlotte, and the subsequent congestion will almost certainly impact our quality of life.

Steve LaDue

Fort Mill

Think carefully

Dear Editor,

I understand that Wal-Mart would bring tax benefits to our community. However, I believe that instead of focusing solely on Wal-Mart, residents and city leaders should look at attracting other companies that better reflect the values and spirit of this community.

Peggy Graham

Tega Cay

Did you hear us?

Dear Editor,

I'm not against development, but God forbid - no more retail. Maybe restaurants or a movie theater, but not more retail.

If this plan goes through and you are successful in bringing Wal-Mart to Tega Cay, Mr. Mayor, do you really think you will be re-elected? Or will you remain a Tega Cay resident? Do you even care?

Pete Vendrillo

Fort Mill

Don't turn Tega Cay into a suburb

Dear Editor,

Wal-Mart being built beside the Gold Hill schools will in fact negatively effect the health of 900 children, not to mention the general population.

Wal-Mart is being considered only for adult convenience and money. I observe it's the money foremost. This is simply very selfish and insane. Tega Cay will truly become just another Charlotte suburb.

Jim Harper

Tega Cay

Wal-Mart would wreck quality of life

Dear Editor,

I am opposed to Wal-Mart locating here because in my opinion it would diminish the quality of life I and the community enjoyed which the city had nurtured since its birth.

Sarah Cash

Tega Cay

Revenues are lipstick on a pig

Dear Editor,

I have no doubt this addition will make my property value go down since I live in a neighborhood right off Hwy. 160. I for one will boycott Wal-Mart if it does come here. Tega Cay City Council members, please show consideration for your neighbors, both those who voted for you and those who are also massively affected by your decisions.

Tina Reiriz

Fort Mill

Wal-Mart won't fit

Dear Editor,

The placement of a big box Wal-Mart would not be in keeping with the flavor of the local community, and our quality of life would be adversely affected.

Hank Sizemore

Fort Mill

Let's keep our reputation

Dear Editor,

We have a safe, family, community atmosphere, but with Wal-Mart here that will be taken away. I don't think it would be fair to either small-town community.

Blanche Betchler

Fort Mill

It would harm us

Dear Editor,

A 24-hour Wal-Mart is not the right retailer for this community.

I beg you, put our environment first! We depend solely on our wells, and without them we have no other means to get water to our homes. The only water line that is close goes to the City of Tega Cay. Several homes on our road, Dam Road, had to have their wells re-dug because the level of the water tables dropped. The ponds would only make the water table drop even more because they would be trapping the water that would naturally drain into the marsh land.

Wanda Collins

Fort Mill

Let's pass

Dear Editor,

Let's help Fort Mill keep its small-town, family-oriented flavor by passing on Wal-Mart.

Karen Triplett

Fort Mill