Debate does little to clarify Wal-Mart issues

Eron Ben-Yehuda

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- The only thing the opponents in the Wal-Mart

controversy seem to agree on is that they disagree -- something they did

a lot of last week during a debate that is airing now on HBTV-3.

Hearing each side tell “facts” that were later contradicted by the other

didn’t clarify any of the thorny issues residents will have to sort

through before they vote on a March ballot initiative meant to block the

retailer’s plan for a store on Talbert Avenue by Beach Boulevard.

Known as Measure I, the initiative asks voters whether the closed Crest

View school site, where Wal-Mart proposes to open a 150,000-square-foot

complex, should be rezoned from commercial back to residential.

Ultimately, people will have to make up their minds based on whom they

trust most, said City Councilman Ralph Bauer, who served on the debate

panel and favors building the store.

He said voters will have to ask themselves: “What [argument] has the ring

of truth?”

The debate, which lasted about an hour, was as much an appeal to people’s

emotions as to their minds.

To highlight the sales tax benefits Wal-Mart would generate, its

proponents suggested the money would help the city pay for police officer

salaries and tossed out the name of Nick Ekovich, who is considered a

hero for taking a couple of bullets while foiling a robbery attempt in

September.

Not to be outdone, Wal-Mart detractors pointed out that the campaign

committee pushing for the retailer hired a treasurer and a public

relations firm from out of town.

Both sides eventually got down to business, however, discussing the

impact the retailer would have on the community in terms of the local

economy, traffic and noise, among other things.

HBTV-3 will show reruns of the debate until March 5, two days before

voters will cast their ballot on the initiative.