Wal-Mart's Corporate Takeover Of Inglewood

Wal-Mart is preparing for a 'corporate takeover' of a Southern California city, writes columnist Steve Lopez.

April 5, 2004, 5am PDT | Chris Steins | @urbaninsight

"In one community after another, the discount giant has crushed opponents like cockroaches. But in Inglewood, rather than battle obstructive public officials and squawking union bosses, Wal-Mart has pulled an Arnold Schwarzenegger and appealed directly to the public in a $1-million initiative campaign to win hearts and minds... Wal-Mart would need just 5,001 residents of Inglewood to say yes to Measure 4-A. That's $200 a vote, a small price to pay for the right to do virtually whatever the chain pleases without city interference. Routine traffic and environmental reviews will be tossed aside, and... Wal-Mart will reign." The related news article appears here: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ingle4apr04,1,4753047.story

Thanks to Chris Steins

Full Story:

Inglewood May See a Corporate Takeover

Published on Sunday, April 4, 2004 in The Los Angeles Times