Not In Our Name

In a press release issued back on May 23, the Pullman Alliance for Responsible Development stated:

Round One: The Battle for Public Opinion is Over. PARD Has Clearly Won that Battle.

Bull.

Today, a full-page ad was published in the Moscow-Pullman Daily News containing an open letter from Pullman businesses and residents in support of Wal-Mart and economic growth. 137 businesses and community leaders signed the letter, including the Pullman Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Combined with the pro-Wal-Mart SEPA DNS comments, that makes nearly 200 merchants and citizens that have publicly expressed their support.

The ad was paid for entirely with donations from businesses and residents in Pullman.

I am proud to say that I was one of the signers of the letter. People in Pullman are fed up. PARD has dominated the discusion about Wal-Mart for the last eight months. They have made their case, and it has been rejected by the people of Pullman. A petition with thousands of signatures from students and people outside of town proves absolutely nothing, other than PARD will do anything to try and stop Wal-Mart.

It is highly inappropriate that 99% of PARD members are affliated with WSU, the city's largest employer. This makes Wal-Mart supporters reluctant to come forward, as they fear some sort of backlash or a boycott. This is one of the most controversial issues in the history of Pullman. But if almost 200 supporters can come forward publicly, just imagine how many hundreds, if not thousands, of Pullman full-time residents support Wal-Mart privately.

So, PARDners, next time you blather on to the media about the "majority of people in Pullman," just remember: "Not in our name!"