By George Anderson
Voters in the predominantly African-American suburb of Los Angeles, Inglewood, voted by a 60.6 percent to 39.3 percent margin to reject Wal-Mart in its bid to build one of its supercenters in the community.
The vote came about after Wal-Mart launched a campaign to overturn a local ban on big box stores.
The retailer wanted to build a 60-acre retail development including space for other businesses in vacant land in Inglewood.
If the vote had gone in Wal-Mart's favor, the retailer would have been able to develop the land, reports Bloomberg, while being "exempt from zoning ordinances, public hearings and other local controls."
Bob McAdam, a spokesperson for Wal-Mart, issued the following email statement to reporters. "We are disappointed that a small group of Inglewood leaders together with representatives of outside special interests were able to convince a majority of Inglewood voters that they don't deserve the job opportunities and shopping choices that others in the L.A. area enjoy.'
Moderator's Comment: What are your thoughts on the Inglewood vote situation and Wal-Mart's future course based on the resistance it is up against?
Wal-Mart is neither the evil empire its enemies make it out to be nor it is the gleaming light of virtue it portrays itself as.
That said, we've been to Inglewood and can't help but agree with the sentiments of a consumer, Magda Monroe, 65, interviewed by the Associated Press, "Even if it's minimum wage (jobs), it's better than nothing. - George Anderson - Moderator