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The price is too high
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Posted by editor Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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I have lived in Tehachapi for 24 years, come October. I love going into Save Mart or Albertson's and seeing people that I know. I feel that if Walmart comes in, then all of that will disappear.

I have watched this town grow from a little town where children could play outside during a full moon, to now having to watch over them and make them come in at night so nothing happens to them.

Yes, it did make it hard for high school students because they just want to have some fun, but somehow their parents always find out. I have looked around Kmart, here in town, comparing prices and I have come to realize Kmart’s   prices are much cheaper. I have looked into family stuff also.

Ever since I heard that our town was getting a Walmart (several years ago), I’ve watched every newspaper for a town meeting on the subject. Is this being handled by the same environmental team that also said that Mercury mining could go on by Broome Road?

I know a lot of people that really don't want this Walmart. One thing that would help us out, is to have a bowling alley in town for families. Why should people have to travel to go bowling? And before you say that 'we have one in Stallion,' no we don't. You have to be a member of the camp.

We have a Kmart, a Save Mart, and Albertson's. Why should we have a Walmart Super Center? Our town can't support all of these. I believe a Walmart will end the feeling of walking into any of these places starting a conversation with the person in front of you, or with the cashier. Think of how many times you have walked into any of these businesses and how mad or sad you were, then all of a sudden, you’re talking to someone else and you feel a little bit better because of a joke you heard.

What's our next move? A strip club?

— Kelli Thomas

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Comment From: jer72

Like you I was born a raised in Tehachapi. I agree with you that the Tehachapi of old is pretty much gone and that is a sad fact. However I will have to say I disagree with you about Tehachapi not being able to support the current stores and a future Walmart. Many said the same thing about the Home Depot and yet many have complained that the Home Depot doesn't carry many of their hardware needs. Many of those people have now reverted back to either shopping at the locally own hardware stores because they have what Home Depot doesn't or waiting to make a trip to Bakersfield to the bigger Home Depot or Lowes. Another reason I say that I do believe tat the town and surrounding areas will be able to support a Walmart is from going shopping in Savemart and Albertsons and waiting to be checked out due to the long lines. Another reason is because I know that there are a great number of people from Cal City, Boron, North Edwards, Mojave and even Rosemond that drive to Tehachapi to shop. I for one lived in North Edwards for 7 months in 2005 and found most that lived around me drove to Tehachapi to shop instead of going to Lancaster/Palmdale. Comment From: charlee

I completely agree; the last thing we need here is a lousy Walmart. I too enjoy going in to Save Mart and seeing my friends who either work there or shop there. Walmart will kill that for sure. And have you seen what happens to the surrounding neighborhood once Walmart moves in? I have lived here for 12 years and I am amazed at how much Tehachapi has changed in just that time. It will be even worse if Walmart comes in. It seems that the Walmart issue was hushed up by the "Powers That Be" until it was a done deal. Why has there not been a town meeting? Was there one, but it was not advertised? Or maybe it was held at a time that most people could not attend. Walmart is famous for pushing its way into neighborhoods that do not want them. The last thing they want is opposition. There is a van in town, sporting a bumper sticker that says "Walmart Sucks. Preserve Tehachapi." Where can I get one? Comment From: Californiabeso

When is Walmart comming to town? Comment From: helendale009

I support the free market. Walmart provides value for working families and senior citizens on limited budgets. With the cost of gasoline we need more "affordable" local shopping. Comment From: rm6

Wal-Mart didn't accumulate its enormous power and revenue by caring for "working families and senior citizens on limited budgets." They did it by taking advantage of the communities across the US and using predatory pricing to force out competition. Sure I support the free market and capitalism too, but like everything else only in moderation. This might be a stereotype of Wal-Mart, but like most stereotypes, it probably has some truth to it. Seriously do we want to take this chance with Tehachapi? If you didn't think that Wal-Mart would bring cheaper prices, would all you Wal-Mart supporters still want one in Tehachapi? I don't think anyone really wants one in Tehachapi, they just don't want to continue to pay the minor inconveniences for living in a small town. Comment From: Kelli1984

I'm the one who wrote this. All I have to say is look at the town back east. A lot of those towns have been ruined by Walmart. I know a lot of people in other small towns that say that the town wasn't ever the same and that they changed for the worse since that Walmart opened.