Signs go away, Wal-Mart stays

Dear Editor,

As a former Bath resident of 22 years, I'm proud to know that local opposition to Wal-Mart's effort to invade is ongoing. I am also pleased to learn (December 23, page 1) that the powers-that-be seem to be acting along sensible and fair lines with respect to the signs opposing and favoring the onslaught of the retail giant.

Let me simply observe that the appearance of Wal-Mart on the Bath scene would be a far greater "eyesore" than the clutter of signs the mayor refers to. The signs will go away, but a local Wal-Mart would be there pretty much to stay, driving out the last of the small shops, becoming a drain on the public purse which will have to provide the health care and other workers benefits that Wal-Mart does not, and adding to the number of workplaces where women are second class and jobs less than fulltime. I am glad so many in Bath are skeptical of the advisability of going forward with this proposal.

Fr. Dennis Wienk Rochester