Wal-Mart coming to Barnesville

Wal-Mart coming to Barnesville

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Thursday, March 21. 2013

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Multiple reports over the past month regarding a development company visiting town to negotiate for property in Barnesville on which to locate a Wal-Mart Supercenter were confirmed at a special called meeting of the Barnesville city council Thursday afternoon.

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#1 Debbie Adamson on 03/21/13 at 04:52 PM

Oh no

#2 Debbie Adamson on 03/21/13 at 05:47 PM

Do we have a timeframe for the end?

#3 Tom Rauch on 03/21/13 at 06:06 PM

Does there have to be one every 10 miles? It isn't like they sell medical necessities like waffles, grits, and cheese eggs.

I feel sorry for long-time local stores and businesses if it happens. They'll sell fast food, gas, pharmaceuticals, groceries, and everything else...and all the money for materials and the sales profit goes elsewhere. We'll get some taxes and low-paying jobs, while small business owners for miles around will get the shaft.

#4 Denise Therriault on 03/21/13 at 07:16 PM

A Wal-mart! You're kidding right?? Right!

#5 Sandy Rogerson on 03/21/13 at 07:37 PM

FINALLY! Bout time Bville got with the program.

#6 Sponge Bob on 03/21/13 at 07:41 PM

Oh good grief. Lady please get your nose out of the air. It's not goin to hurt you to have a Walmart here. Sometimes you have to consider what's good for the community. I see Lamar county citizens every day walking to town to places like Family Dollar and Dollar General for second rate goods. Then there are those who have poor transportation and cannot drive out of town. Not to mention the hundreds of jobs it will bring to this poor community. Maybe we can get some of these folks on welfare a job and make them productive tax paying citizens. So how about we get off our high horses and stop trying to act like rich folk don't shop at Walmart too.

#7 Charlie Muise on 03/21/13 at 08:12 PM

Oh my God. There goes the town. How the heck can that location handle Wal-Mart traffic? What about school traffic?

Sponge Bob, how could you call this good for the community? And how can you call Wal-Mart quality?

What is the city "negotiating"? How much in tax money we WON'T collect from them?

Charlie Muise

#8 Bruce Swatts on 03/21/13 at 08:14 PM

I hope the mayor and city council will think hard before approving a Super Walmart. This will destroy the small business owners in this area and downtown will become a ghost town.

#9 Tom Rauch on 03/21/13 at 08:27 PM

There are good things and bad things about Wal-Mart, but don't bank on a good thing being thousands of jobs. It will shift some shopping from Forsyth and Thomaston to B'ville, but it will send money out of town and hurt some local stores. I like the Ace Hardware and other stores like Akins (especially those chicken sandwiches they used to sell that drove a local snitch so nuts he called the food police), I hope it doesn't bankrupt them.

#10 Lynda Frost on 03/21/13 at 08:56 PM

Please...no Wal-Mart here..over saturation..I agree with Mr. Bruce Swatts..

#11 Lynda Frost on 03/21/13 at 08:57 PM

Please...no Wal-Mart here..over saturation..I agree with Mr. Bruce Swatts..

#12 Robert Tippin on 03/21/13 at 09:30 PM

As was said, good things and bad things about this. I think Roses and Fred's will be threatened, as well as Family Dollar and Dollar general (can't see them all surviving). I can also see problems for Ingles and Giant Mart (only one would probably survive), given that Super Walmart will sell everything (and more) that both of them do. Auto parts and auto-service will likely be impacted.

For downtown, I don't actually see that much impact. There isn't that much direct competition between the things offered downtown and what you'll find in a Super Walmart. The main strip is mostly restaurants anyway and the other stores are pretty much specialty. I could be wrong, but I just don't see it.

My big thing in this is with Forsyth, Thomaston and Griffin all having Super Walmarts, how in the world do they think this community can support one? There are only around 18,000 people in the whole county and only about 6,600 live in Barnesville proper. Putting one here will weaken the revenues of the ones in the surrounding cities. From a business stand point it just doesn't make that much sense. The net effect would likely be to weaken the economies of all four areas.

As much as I'd like to have a Super Walmart closer than a fifteen to twenty minute drive, having one in Barnesville seems sort of silly. It would be like putting another Ingles in Milner.

Anyway, just my take on it.

#13 Sponge Bob on 03/21/13 at 09:51 PM

Dear Mr. Muise and all you other folks too good to shop at Walmart:
I am by no means glorifying Walmarts goods but they are however very reasonably priced and offer a lot of products that are of better quality than what you would find at Family Dollar. Not to mention the thing they sell that you cannot even get in this town. For instance, baby equipment. Where can you go in bville to get a new crib or carseat? All of these thrift stores around town want to charge new prices for used items. And our grocery stores are a joke. Giant mart isnt big enough to carry a variety and Ingles price gouges. I am sorry that a few stores downtown might go out of business if Walmart comes here, but hey, Jack, times are hard for everybody and I personally will be glad to save my gad money and time by driving to Griffin or Thomaston. So let's all just get along. It's going to happen one day whether we like it or not.

#14 Michael Stephens on 03/22/13 at 01:54 AM

I really can't see Wal-Mart getting enough business to succeed. There are in Griffin, Thomaston, and Forsyth, all of which are a 15 min drive. Lamar County has a population around 15,000 hardly enough to sustain a large store like Wal-Mart. But I am sure they have studied the feasability.

#15 Mary Garrison on 03/22/13 at 04:53 AM

Build it at the interstate. There's more room, there's more traffic, and it wouldn't mess up our town.

#16 Debbie Adamson on 03/22/13 at 07:31 AM

Downtown will die just as all the other small towns where Wal-Mart showed up. They will build their store then other stores will follow and soon there will be no need for downtown. Yes it will bring jobs but we will also lose jobs. In just the 5 or so restaurants downtown, there are at least 50+ ppl or more that will have to find jobs some where else. Plus all the other storers located down town with their employees, they will lose too. I am not against Wal-Mart, I am against it coming here. It will bring Tax Revenue to Barnesville and I guess that is the bottom line. We need that, but at what cost. We have three Wal-Marts around us that we can get to with in 15 minutes. Do we really need one here. IT will spark growth, I get that, but what about our charm and personality, our sense of a family community. It will be lost. We will Lose in the Long Run...Just Saying....

#17 Jeremiah Tant on 03/22/13 at 08:30 AM

The last thing we need is a Wal-Mart here

#18 Cats on 03/22/13 at 08:37 AM

So, if this really does happen, when will it happen?
5 years or more?
A couple of years ago, we took our daughter to the small town of Poplar Bluff in Missouri for testing for nursing school. It was a heartbreaking example of what Walmart did to an historic town. Downtown was trashed out, storefronts were empty, and the 4 lane highway outside of the town center had that cheesy strip mall look to it. That was where Walmart and the businesses it attracted were located.
I am not excited by this news. Sorry.

#19 Tom Rauch on 03/22/13 at 09:29 AM

There is no question a Wal-Mart will change the face of Barnesville. This happens in every community. I travel every several years to various small communities, and every one of them changed dramatically because of a Wal-Mart superstore. I can't tell one from another now, they all look the same.

The decision is really out of the public's hands, so what be will be. Changes are not from the collective vision or opinion of a community.

#20 Giveme Liberty on 03/22/13 at 09:59 AM

Are we talking a full size supercenter or their new "Neighborhood Market" concept. The markets are about 1/4 the size of the super Wal-Marts. I saw one of these on my last trip to Daytona Beach, FL.

#21 native ofbarnesville on 03/22/13 at 11:06 AM

Yes i agree with most people on here. Walmart will hurt local business people. I shop there for some things so I'm not a snob. But most of their stuff comes from china as does the other chain stores. Yes while we need a another big grocery store to compete with ingles and their high prices I don't think the answer is Walmart. Just like Debbie says stores will move out to be near Walmart and downtown will be no more. This deal needs to be made in the open and stop making deals behind close doors. Something about this smells like a trash dump.

#22 Take America Back on 03/22/13 at 11:16 AM

I do like Wal-Mart, but please don't take away our SMALL town atmosphere! And to think they are thinking about on the same road the schools are on, that is simply crazy!
And who thinks this will get people off of welfare, if they want to work they would be working now! Most anyone can find a job, if they want too!
NO Wal-Mart in our small town!!!! This is something I think the citizens of Lamar County should vote on!

#23 WI John Galt on 03/22/13 at 11:28 AM

If Walmart wants to locate in Barnesville, so what, let them compete in the marketplace for business. Truth be known, Walmart does more for lower income citizens (keeping prices down) than our nanny-state government.

A more pressing issue is rumors that the School Board is running a deficit and are considering raising the millage rate for additional funding. If this is true, we really have a problem! Higher taxes to support public education is a no-no from this property owner. Any person with an IQ above that of a flat rock knows that public schools are failed model and a poor investment. All you have to do is look at the educational attainment of its graduates. You can observe them at any fast-food joint and/or during Buggy Days!!!

I'll take Walmart any day over higher takes to support public schools

#24 Terry Belvin on 03/22/13 at 11:28 AM

Very Sad. Do not see the need since we have 3 so close by. All I see is a retail giant coming in and shutting down all the local business. Don't believe me go to some of our sister cities who have wal mart and ask them. Our county leaders just voted our small town heritage right down the toilet. Shame on you.

#25 Charlotte Weber on 03/22/13 at 12:25 PM

Mayor, City Council, etc...Please, Please do not do this! We have 3 Super Walmart's with 15 minutes in each direction. This is the WORST idea! I moved to Barnesville because this was a wonderful historic small town without a Walmart. Shame! I will think twice about re-electing anyone of you who were involved in this deal. Why on earth would you think you'd be doing Barnesville a service by doing this? They'll come in scrape the land build their supercenter which we don't need and then in 10 years they'll abandon it and find another then we'll have more large vacant buildings. We are a town of 6,700 and a county of 18,000 people, for goodness sake. We don't need them. Most of the individuals who live in the outer ends of the county would probably shop at the other existing Walmart anyway because they are closer. We do not need this, please reconsider and tell Walmart NO, NO, NO!!!!!!

#26 michael brutz on 03/22/13 at 01:12 PM

I would urge proceeding with caution regarding the sale of any city property. I have had some experience with Walmart in the past. "Back in the day" it worked like this: A developer wanted to build a large plaza. The plaza was usually "anchored" by a chain grocery store on one end and a chain pharmacy on the other. The space between the anchor tenants was leased to regional and local businesses. It was a developer's dream to have the traffic generating power of Walmart anchoring the plaza. In the cases I was involved with if Walmart decided they wanted to be in the plaza Walmart would DEMAND that the plaza developer GIVE Walmart an 8 or 9 acre tract of land. When I say give I mean for FREE. Walmart would then agree to build their own store and parking lot at their own cost using their own construction team. Back then Walmart used their traffic generating power to their advantage, they still do for that matter. Times have changed. Pharmacies no longer want to be in strip centers as demonstrated by the free-standing CVS and Walgreens here in Barnesville. Walmart also prefers free standing stores. As far as I know Walmart builds their own stores and does NOT use outside "as yet undisclosed real estate/investment brokers".

Thus if asked I would advise the Mayor and City Council be certain WALMART itself is looking for a site in Barnesville and to use caution negotiating with an outside broker. It could turn out such a broker's plan may be to "tie up" the property and then go to Walmart and TRY to get them interested in coming to Barnesville and making a quick buck "flipping the land".

One last thing: I've been to a Walmart Neighborhood Market. They sell groceries, general merchandise and have pharmacies; only on a smaller scale. They average 44000 s.f. and employ about 80 workers, mostly part-time. A regular Walmart averages 108000 s.f employing 225 mostly part-timers and a Super Center averages 185000 s.f. and employs 350 mostly part time workers. You can search the internet for "Walmart Neighborhood Markets" for more details

#27 colleen grantham on 03/22/13 at 03:40 PM

Well, you might as well say good bye to the small town of Barnesville. This is not good. We have Walmarts in every direction to shop at. Thomaston, Griffin, Forsyth, Macon, McDonough. Once this happens the town will be come commercialized along with more crime coming in. Good bye to mom and pop businesses. They will not be able to compete. Hopefully, this will not become a reality.

#28 joe kazoz on 03/22/13 at 03:42 PM

A long long time ago
I can still remember how
That music used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And maybe they'd be happy for a while
But February made me shiver
With every paper I'd deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn't take one more step
I can't remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride
But something touched me deep inside
**The day the music died**
So

[Chorus]
Bye, bye Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey in Rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die

Did you write the book of love
And do you have faith in God above
If the Bible tells you so?
Now do you believe in rock and roll?
Can music save your mortal soul?
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?

Well, I know that you're in love with him
Cause I saw you dancin' in the gym
You both kicked off your shoes
Man, I dig those rhythm and blues
I was a lonely teenage broncin' buck
With a pink carnation and a pickup truck
But I knew I was out of luck
The day the music died
I started singin'

[Chorus]

Now, for ten years we've been on our own
And moss grows fat on a rolling stone
But, that's not how it used to be
When the jester sang for the king and queen
In a coat he borrowed from James Dean
And a voice that came from you and me
Oh and while the king was looking down
The jester stole his thorny crown
The courtroom was adjourned
No verdict was returned
And while Lenin read a book on Marx
The quartet practiced in the park
And we sang dirges in the dark
The day the music died
We were singin'

[Chorus]

Helter skelter in a summer swelter
The birds flew off with a fallout shelter
Eight miles high and falling fast
It landed foul on the grass
The players tried for a forward pass
With the jester on the sidelines in a cast
Now the half-time air was sweet perfume
While sergeants played a marching tune
We all got up to dance
Oh, but we never got the chance
Cause the players tried to take the field
The marching band refused to yield
Do you recall what was revealed
The day the music died?
We started singin'

[Chorus]

Oh, and there we were all in one place
A generation lost in space
With no time left to start again
So come on Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Jack Flash sat on a candlestick
Cause fire is the devil's only friend
And as I watched him on the stage
My hands were clenched in fists of rage
No angel born in Hell
Could break that Satan's spell
And as the flames climbed high into the night
To light the sacrificial rite
I saw Satan laughing with delight
The day the music died
He was singin'

[Chorus]

I met a girl who sang the blues
And I asked her for some happy news
But she just smiled and turned away
I went down to the sacred store
Where I'd heard the music years before
But the man there said the music wouldn't play
And in the streets the children screamed
The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed
But not a word was spoken
The church bells all were broken
And the three men I admire most-
the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost-
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died
And they were singing.......

#29 joe kazoz on 03/22/13 at 03:59 PM

Be careful not to cut your nose off to spite your face, I have lived in small towns just like barnesville, Walmart came in and the small business folded like a cheap "Made in China" Walmart Pup tent. I hope taxpayers that pay Roberts over payed $116,000 salary are happy with the results. Like anything else, what does he care about other people, he's laughing all the way to the bank. Hell, he can't even manage or oversee or manage the correct running of the Civic center. There should be a referendum vote for the people and by the people when it comes to a decision this big, as well as his inflated wage. This guy is ruining Barnesville.

#30 M. C. on 03/22/13 at 07:46 PM

you folks act like barnesville is some kind of mayberry.barnesville is one step away from a urban getto.worried about downtown business?then sell your products at competive prices.folks what do you think walmart originaly was?it was a small town store thats what it was.
why are you people so afraid of the future?surley you dont think this backwater forgotten town full of meth heads,crackheads,thiefs,murderers,pedofiles Ect.. is some kind of hidden paradise.if you do then you are sadly mistaken.

#31 Sponge Bob on 03/22/13 at 09:47 PM

Ok folks, stop being so friggin dramatic. It's not the end of our small town, ok? Geesh! And downtown will still be downtown. As long as the Pastime Grill is there anyway. And there are a couple of nice little stores with unique stuff to buy. And we all love American Pie!!!! So it'll be safe. It is after all the BEST pizza in town. So just chill out folks. If I have to I'll buy up some property downtown and put in a Starbucks and an oriental massage parlor so everybody can get all geeked up and then go relax with a nice massage.

#32 Happy Happy Happy! on 03/22/13 at 09:57 PM

I don't see anybody fussing about the new Chic-fil-a coming to Barnesville.

#33 Martha Windle on 03/23/13 at 06:13 AM

I think that would have been better, too, Mrs. Garrison. I really don't like the idea of a Walmart that close to the schools.
Most of the stores that operate downtown do not sell things that Walmart sells.
It it hard to say how much revenue Lamar County has lost because INGLES won't let any other store into that store front(this is not the only small town INGLES has done this to) Had they let a major chain in there like perhaps Ross or Marshalls maybe or even Big Lots Walmart wouldn't have such an open opportunity.
Having said that, Walmart brings in a lot of jobs and revenue to a community, even a small Market style.
I say bring on the Super center, we certainly don't want them building small then building again larger in a different location only to leave empty storefronts like they have in Griffin and Forsyth.

#34 Fed Up on 03/23/13 at 06:28 AM

I just bought a house here near town, knowing this would have changed my decision to buy instead of rent. I have plenty of access to walmat, 15 miles in three directions, and yes I shop there often. Do we really want our small town to look like Stockbridge?(a Wal-mart on every exit)

#35 Robert Heiney on 03/23/13 at 09:20 AM

Goodness gracious - I am in agreement with Tom Rauch.

#36 joe kazoz on 03/23/13 at 09:26 AM

I volunteer to run the city of Barnesville for $65,000 a year, and I know I can do a more efficient job than roberts, and do a better job I don't really want to but I would for the betterment of the people. I have supervised a lot more staff than this guy. So to the mayor, the offer stands,I will manage the city for half of his pay and guarantee the city of Barnesville will run more effeciently, and I will make sure staff are doing their jobs more effectively. This is the new way of thinking, not the good ole boy way. I feel nobody should be given a free ride at the taxpayer's expense, and should be held accountable for their actions or lack there of. I will include the voters of this city and county on issues that could affect them with referendum votes, and not make decisions that affect large numbers of people based on the thoughts of a few.

#37 Robert Heiney on 03/23/13 at 09:29 AM

Some people think Slices is the best in Barnesville.

#38 Robert Heiney on 03/23/13 at 09:37 AM

Those who are interested in preserving the rural nature of Barnesville would get a real eye opener by visiting Stockbridge. It is chock full of strip stores and big box stores. Traffic is unbearable. I'm from Long Island NY and Stockbridge is definitely not what I was looking for when I moved to GA. Stockbridge looks like any NY suburb. With the added density of population comes more government, taxes, restriction on liberties and movement. Big box stores throw the whole business community out of balance. Another poster to this column suggested that a location by I-75 would be better for the community and I agree.

#39 Robert Tippin on 03/23/13 at 12:15 PM

The only thing constant is change. It is in the nature of the world that things change. Things that stay the same become stagnant and useless.

Believe it or not, every town that got a Super Walmart did survive it. Yes, things changed, people had to adapt, some things went away and some new things came into being. But the towns did survive and not all of them became disaster areas as many would have you believe.

It is not a sure thing that a super Walmart is coming to Barnesville. It is not a sure thing that downtown will dry up. It is not a sure thing that war, pestilence, famine and death will follow in the wake of a Walmart in Barnesville. But if Walmart does come to town you can either adapt or move away/be bitter/not help keep Barnesville a nice place.

Seriously, though, you can't have it both ways. You can't want a better standard of living, more opportunities, and conveniences but not want things to change or new businesses to move in.

I am not convinced I want a Walmart in town either, but unless they put it to a vote I don't think my opinion is going to matter. Given that, I might as well be happy in the mean time, learn to adapt and be a positive influence.

#40 Robert Tippin on 03/23/13 at 12:32 PM

Stockbridge/Henry County and Barnesville/Lamar County have virtually nothing in common. I lived there (Stockbridge) during the time when things started changing and the first super Walmart moved into Henry County. Trying to scare people by saying Barnesville will become like Stockbridge just because of Walmart is ridiculous and fear mongering. You have nothing to validate that. There are too many factors that come into play to make that judgement.

#41 P daddy on 03/23/13 at 12:49 PM

Everyone says they want growth, and they want business to come to their town or county. But whenever a business decides to do just that, the fear mongering starts, and the people scream "Not in my backyard!" You can't have it both ways.

If a Wal-Mart comes to Barnesville, there may be a couple businesses to close, if they cannot adapt to the changing marketing climate. Ace Hardware's bigger competitor is Home Depot and Lowe's, and Ace is going head to head with them, sometimes building stores across the street from them. Because of Akins' specialization in all things farming related, they would probably benefit from the increased traffic in the area. Ingles, CVS and Walgreens would be forced into competitive pricing, something they already have to do in markets such as Griffin, where the Walgreens is across the street from Wal-Mart. With a Wal-Mart in Forsyth, Thomaston, and Griffin, they evidently think the market is not saturated yet, hence their decision to build here. Then the market will be saturated.

As for the downtown area, I don't think downtown will suffer. I don't think that all the shops in town going to pull up stakes and move to the Wal-Mart site. A few, maybe. Look at Thomaston or Griffin. I don't think that there would be many other shops in the shopping center, because of the population density here. Look at Forsyth. There aren't many shops in the Wal-Mart complex there, compared to Griffin, Thomaston, or elsewhere. Not all Wal-Marts are overrun with other shops in the same complex. The population density that Wal-Mart requires in order to build may not be the same as what other retailers require.

If a site on 75 would be a better location, you can bet Wal-Mart would be building there. But the fact is, Wal-Mart is going to build close to the population center, which in this case is Barnesville. The population density in Barnesville is far greater than that out at High Falls Road, or Johnstonville Road. Stockbridge, McDonough, Locust Grove, Forsyth, and Macon (Eisenhower and Zebulon Rd)all have Wal-Mart stores because of the this same reason, because the population density can support it.

I'm not the biggest fan of Wal-Mart; I don't really like having to wait in line with 100 people, with only 2 registers open. I'm not a fan of the Chinese products that don't last. Some of their products are ok; its just like anything else, you get what you pay for. But it will bring jobs, and some of them pay ok, depending on a person's abilities. And groceries are far cheaper there than at Ingles, at least for now.

#42 Martha Windle on 03/23/13 at 06:07 PM

How is it ok for you to take your money to another county to spend it? Why shouldn't we keep our money in this county?
I stopped in at the Walmart Market in Locust Grove and found the prices to be as high as Ingles if not higher. I have not been back there, maybe it is lower now? But we do not need one of those so close to Ingles.
P Daddy you make some good points and I know they don't build near 75 because of the pop density, but I can prefer it for all the good it will do.
Debbie you opened a pizza place in a small town that already had 2 pizza places, right? You seem to be doing fine and as a matter of fact I think Slices has some of the best pizza, thats just me, not trying to start a pizza war. I really just eat at the one that has the fundraiser I want to support :-P ...Suffice it to say I don't think Wally World would effect you.
Really everyone, which stores downtown do you think Wally World would put out of business?? You all say "downtown" well, which downtown business? Most of the ones that are succeeding are consignment shops. The ones that struggle the most (and close)are restaurants.
Y'all go pull out your check books and add up how much revenue you have given to other counties in the past two months!
MC and Joe Kazoz I haven't seen anything particularly constructive about either of your constant criticisms. Joe why don't you put your money where your mouth is step up. go ahead and run for anything, under your real name...oh but that's right its that good ole boy network that would keep you down...yeah,yeah, RIGHT! Just more complaints from you two is all we'll get now...

#43 Capt. Willard on 03/23/13 at 07:41 PM

Chic-Fil-A won't last long in that location. They are just gonna microwave food prepared in Griffin. Will be interesting to see if Williams/Devane bitch about that like they did when the same thing was going on at Akins Feed and Seed.

#44 joe kazoz on 03/23/13 at 09:56 PM

Martha who made you the moderator, you make no sense at all, I have called you out before and you had no response. You don't think including the voters on a decision this big is constructive ??
Now I know that your'e very narrow minded sheep.

#45 AMERICA - IN GOD WE TRUST on 03/23/13 at 10:23 PM

Another great hidden decision by our city officials. Drive a nail in the heart of our local merchants. BS if you ask me. I have not shopped in a Wal-Mart for over 5 years simply because of what they do to small towns. They shut down most of the local businesses in my local college town some of which had been there over 50 years. Walmart is an evil empire / company that thrives on the people who sleep walk thru life not caring about much of anything. They do not even buy AMERICAN MADE PRODUCTS. One day, English will become the 2nd language and everyone will be asking what happened.

Who will this effect - T.J. Outfitters, Hamricks, Ingels, Giant Mart, all of downtown Gift, Hair supply, Thrift, Clothing, Shoe, Movie, Phone, Auto, Tire, Vision, Gas, Pharmacy and MORE Etc.

Maybe Wal-Mart will open a NEW BRANCH for Barnesville City Government inside and rid us of all these thoughtless decision makers that are doing soo much for our community - NOT.

$$ - Root of all evil.

Wal-Mart - GO AWAY.

#46 Martha Windle on 03/24/13 at 08:17 AM

...with your name-calling and constant whining? I am not going to have a battle of wits with an unarmed person.
I have lived in Barnesville most of my life, my family is from here for generations back, I have roots here even after living in California, Texas and Louisiana.
If you don't like Barnesville why are you here? Just go somewhere you think is better and make a better life for yourself.
I have never seen you do anything but complain. This is the last time I will address you directly, I have made my point.

#47 no name on 03/24/13 at 11:36 AM

You people are 2 much... what do you expect to save some 2nd hand store or a dollar store. that looks historic. we have no good resturants or stores where we can get name brand merchandise. heck the only thing we have here are drug dealers and a town you can not safely walk the streets at night.

I will take a wal-mart anytime over what we now have!

#48 Trent Johnston on 03/24/13 at 12:05 PM

Follow the link below. There is a lot of interesting facts that other small towns in the US have experienced with Wal-Mart.

http://www.momandpopnyc.com/campaigns/walmart/index.htm

#49 joe kazoz on 03/24/13 at 01:25 PM

Finally somebody with sense, thank God you arrived America-In God we trust. Martha just because you have lived here most of your life, and generations back doesn't make you an authority on every subject, or entitled. This is America and I can live where i want to, and choose to live here. And Martha Windle why don't you use your real name, done.

#50 joe kazoz on 03/24/13 at 01:32 PM

Good, then go away little girl.

#51 Joyce Coggins on 03/24/13 at 02:27 PM

I've known Martha for almost 40 years, that is her real name. GEEZ!

#52 Erika Anderson on 03/24/13 at 02:52 PM

Oh my gosh people! Calm down! Its crazy to sit here and read all of these nasty comments at each other! Everybody is entitled to their own opinions, just calm down about it! :)

#53 Robert Tippin on 03/24/13 at 04:01 PM

Indeed, Erika. Well said.

#54 Robert Tippin on 03/24/13 at 04:09 PM

Funny...like New York should be any sort of example for any other city in the nation. Seems like one groups using bullying and thuggery to maintain a monopoly rather than competing in a free market. What would you expect from the socialist capital which is New York City.

#55 AMERICA - IN GOD WE TRUST on 03/24/13 at 09:43 PM

Thanks Trent - from Link - "We have seen Wal-Mart’s impact all over the country. Where Wal-Mart builds, downtown business districts erode and often die. The loss of small business is the first step in the decline of neighborhoods and the loss of local identity."

#56 Joyce Coggins on 03/25/13 at 12:43 AM

If approved, would Wal-Mart purchase all 67 acres at $50,000 per acre? Whew?!?!

#57 Cats on 03/25/13 at 06:47 AM

You know what occurred to me this morning?
If it was Target I would be very happy. I just don't like anything about Walmart.
There-I admitted it.

#58 Martha Windle on 03/25/13 at 09:55 AM

Good job, Erika, the voice of reason. :)

#59 Martha Windle on 03/25/13 at 10:03 AM

LOL, yeah, right Joyce? Like that sounds like a made-up name! Thanks :)

#60 Robert Tippin on 03/25/13 at 10:42 AM

Never knew there were so many people in Barnesville/Lamar county that didn't believe in capitalism and the free market.

#61 Robert Tippin on 03/25/13 at 10:56 AM

Yeah, who needs lower prices, more selection and greater availability. Who needs a free market and capitalism

Seriously, most communities that had Walmart move in over the past 10 years already had stagnant downtowns and local economies. That website that Trent provided is an effort backed by people to not let the free market, competition and capitalism work, but to make Walmart play by the rules of people that don't want competition. It is backed by Unions, New York liberals, political pimps and socialist thugs. And that is who you and Trent feel we should model ourselves after? Wow...

Communities that suffered any ill because of Walmart did so because of the community itself, not because of Walmart. Do I want a Walmart here? I don't know: I am really undecided. But I am grown up enough to know that it is not going to do anything to this community that we don't let happen ourselves.

#62 Robert Tippin on 03/25/13 at 11:15 AM

Your honesty and candor is appreciated.

#63 Uncle Sam on 03/25/13 at 05:21 PM

I lived in another small georgia town like barnesville and i needed an electrical cord for my dryer. The small town local hardware store wanted $22.95. A day later I went to a Walmart store close by and the exact same dryer cord was $9.95. It's a no-brainer to me. Walmart all day long.

#64 Denise Therriault on 03/25/13 at 05:58 PM

Those jobs won't take anyone off welfare. The don't pay anything. The money will not come back into Barnesville, unless the whole family works there, it will go to already wealthy peoples pockets.

#65 Kristy Sims on 03/25/13 at 08:36 PM

Can't wait for wal mart so we might get a Home Depot or lowes...let this town grow people. Maybe it will cut down on our property taxes, if any of y'all even own property.

#66 Annette Glenn on 03/25/13 at 11:01 PM

I am very excited at the possibility of having another store here. A place to buy mens' clothing/shirts, a wide selection of groceries plus electronics, bicycles, pet supplies, shoes, gardening supplies, and on and on. I'll still get my pizza downtown and my wax melts from the Buggytown candle lady. It will create jobs and add to the tax base; it will provide some competition for the places that currently force us to go there or to Griffin. By the way, if you all go from Barnesville to Griffin in 15 minutes you must be flying because it takes me a good half hour. It won't affect the small town charm of the old part of town; it will just give us somewhere to shop for the things we need. And Chic fil A? How did I miss that? When and where is it? I gotta have one asap.

#67 Joshua Perryman on 03/26/13 at 07:18 AM

I agree with you, about everything about barnville, it"s a small town that living like May Berry. I see this walmart is going to put this town on the market, plus all these small business that are out there, will make some real money. And for the small business out there if they are smart, they will more in Walmart shopping center area, so they can get new people. I came from atlanta area to see about owning home, it's very cheat living here, and the one who been here so long should have alot of money save up, the cost of living is like $700.00 a month. Plus this will opening up new job for people who need it, and this will bring down the crime, more jobs least crime. Stop living in the pass, and get ready for the future.

#68 Joshua Perryman on 03/26/13 at 07:19 AM

#69 Joshua Perryman on 03/26/13 at 07:23 AM

#70 Tommy Sizemore on 03/26/13 at 09:13 AM

This is crazy. Why would the county/city want something like a Walmart in an area covered with govt bldgs. In 20 years when walmart moves to a new location it will be a vacant eyesore just like all the other old vacant bldgs walmart leaves behind. Meanwhile the county will probably have to buy more land elsewhere for some more govt bldgs at an over inflated price to help some good ole boy out.

#71 Robert Tippin on 03/26/13 at 02:19 PM

All very well said, Annette.

As far as Chic-fil-a, my understanding is it will be down near the Subway, Roses, etc is (right near the intersection of College Drive and 41).

And, yes, I "fly" when I drive to Griffin :)

#72 Janice Cole on 03/26/13 at 06:28 PM

You all have good and bad points in the debate of whether or not Walmart is good for Barnesville. My problem that no one else has mentioned is the site that has been chosen. Has anyone considered the traffic impact so close to the schools? That should be a consideration in determining a good location.

#73 Tim Gordy on 03/26/13 at 09:22 PM

I agree about the location. It doesn't need to be next door to the schools! There are better locations than that for that type of business. If it is put there the schools will be the ones that will be the most affected and not in a good way.

#74 Nancy Welch on 03/29/13 at 02:01 PM

I donot believe you all have anything to worry about Wally World coming to Barnesville.Just remember that huge Chinese plant that was suppose to build here afew years ago.What happen to it.Walmart will fade away like it did.

#75 Annette Glenn on 03/30/13 at 10:04 PM

Thank you, Robert. I love chic-fil-a and it fits into a weight loss diet very well. I'm sad to see Talley's go. We need a steakhouse here, at least I do.

I am missing something obviously apparent to everyone else. Why is it bad to have Walmart near a school? Is the traffic the worry? I would think being able to run in and grab school supplies or those cupcakes your child forgot to tell you about or pink shoes to match that dress daughter wants to wear would be very convenient.

My sister and I think that it could go out on MLK, and handle the traffic or possibly onto 41. Walmart usually brings a Catos clothing store, BiLo, dollar stores and other businesses that many would enjoy having. All the Gordon students would likely shop there.

We shall see what happens.

#76 Tom Rauch on 04/02/13 at 12:35 PM

Nancy,

I work with manufacturers, including when they purchase other businesses or relocate manufacturing. I worked with Zenith when some manufacturing moved to Mexico, with an automotive test and component manufacturer moved manufacturing to Korea and Taiwan, and other electronics as it moved around the USA.

Things do not move for reasons the public is generally told. I have even worked for the Chinese. The Chinese are ruthless in planning, and generally misleading. They fully realize we are greedy and have poor future planning, and they know people in Government only look for what is good specifically for them in the very short term. While countries like China plan for the longer-term future of their country, we plan mostly for local and almost always in the short term.

Lamar County, and the rest of the USA, needs to rethink how we deal with other countries. We need to look at this stuff in terms of how it affects our country long term (county first).

The principle from China had a sketchy background that included falsifying UL certification and other things. There was no reason he was going to move manufacturing here, except to circumvent trade laws or tariffs. China doesn't do anything for us, everything they do is for them.

A typical deal when China makes a supplier agreement is the USA manufacturer has to get rid of the equipment used to manufacture the goods. This prevents the domestic manufacturer from going back in business. When the USA jobs are lost, we all pay retraining and other extended benefits to the displaced workers. The company shipping jobs offshore picks up a small fraction of the cost. This includes medical benefits.

I'm sure other countries just laugh at how short-sighted, gullible, and how divided and polarized we are. I've been in a car riding away from a meeting with a local IDA where the Chinese businessmen were laughing about the deal they got.

Tom

#77 Linda Waters on 04/21/13 at 09:06 PM

I would like to say this I lived in a small town like Barnesville. Back in the days when I was young the small town had a chance to have a big college Georgia southern wanting to come to town all the old council members did not want it nor did the small stores want it either. Well it moved to Statesboro Georgia and it has grown and is booming but to say for the home town that I lived in as a young boy all those city council members that was against that great improvement for that small town are dead and gone on so is the town also all the stores have closed there doors and the old town as it was when I was a little boy has died also.So please people under stand we are not gone be here forever get off of your self and think of your grandkids.

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