|
Mayor Friedman called the meeting to order. At that point he had us all stand and do the pledge of allegiance. Several proposals were presented and passed fairly quickly. Mayor Friedman then opended the discussion for citizens to speak with a three minute limit. Several people stood up and addressed the issue of WalMart: Dayton Heron: Pointed out that if a profit making entity asked for a contribution from a city asked for a donation, it would be turned down. He said that WalMart's pay is so low that most of it's employees have to live is subsidiesed housing and have to depend on public medical aid, a contribution from the community. He held up a book called "Better not Bigger" and recommended that the city council read it. He said that taxes spent to improve the community lead to growth, not profit oriented corporations. Ms Conway: (Vice Chairman of Central Oregon Jobs with Justice) Will they be requesting tax breaks? Well they cut payments to suppliers (As they have done numerous times in the past?) 3 jobs are lost where every 2 are created. Workers have to rely on public assistance. WalMart creates a domino effect. Dana Wells: WalMart has already impacted me. She had worked for a company in the Northwest but in 2004 she was told she was not needed anymore because of the competitive activities of WalMart. 16 Feb Feature: Jobs with Justice meeting on WalMart | A follow up on the WalMart Meet
| 
