Wal-Mart effect exaggerated

To the Editor,

I would like to set Mr. Scott Ward straight, P & C in Erwin closed not because of Wal-Mart. They built there when Erwin was in an economic boom, which fell through when the economy took a downturn, when the regions main employer, Corning Glass fell on hard times, and there were many people laid off. Even a fancy housing development in the Erwin area saw houses not being completed due to the economy. K-Mart closed, plus serveral stores that performed poorly, which is why this K-Mart was closed. Ames bought out the Hills Dept. store which proved a financial mistake and forced all Ames stores to close. Jubilee not only competed with Wal- Mart but also with Wegmans, which is a family run business, which in a family-run business which has grown from Rochester to down south. So I am sure with Wegmans having been close to Jubilee maybe you should blame them also. Wal-Mart may carry some of the same things that Wards does, but maybe you should talk to Dave Tallman who runs a clothing and shoe store less than one mile away from Erwin Wal- Mart and Tallmans has survived. Jiffy Lube in Erwin has survived or famous Brands out let in Watkins Glen.

I have lived in the Coring Area for 38 years and still have family there.

Sue Crippen Bath