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October 3, 2007 <br /> _ <br /> <br /> To: Council Members <br /> County of Hawaii <br /> Re: Opposition to Bill 167 <br /> It was my hope that I might speak at today's Council Meeting. Unfortunately, I had to <br /> return to work . Therefore, please consider my statement. <br /> When I first moved here in 1993, the prices on everything were so high that it was <br /> impossible to support a family. Over the years more stores came in and competition resulted in <br /> the reduction of prices and increases in weekly sales on products. It made stretching the money <br /> easier. Just like more jobs resulted in better wages for the lowest paid workers in Hawaii, aet <br /> result of supply and demand, not Government. <br /> When Wal-Mart first came, there were protest and condemnation. Fear that businesses <br /> would close. In fact, the very same people who protested the most were the ones to be first <br /> considered for employment. Over the yeazs, these same people became the most devoted <br /> shoppers of Wal-Mart. Competition made things better for all, most importantly for those with <br /> low income and lazge families. There is not a time that you go to Wal-Mart that you don't see a <br /> fellow worker, friend, a neighbor. I wonder where these people would shop for their families if <br /> this store was not here. Think about it. Macy's, Sears, the Plaza. Be realistic. The Plaza is still <br /> there, as bad as it always was. Wal-Mart did not hurt the Mall. I worked there before Wal-Mart <br /> came and nothing has changed. People can now afford Christmas tree, clothes for their kids, a <br /> chance to get toys for their kids at Christmas. K-Bay toy store is still there. <br /> Now my feelings on the Superstore. I visited several on the mainland and they were just <br /> the greatest. Clean, good prices and much needed. What aze stores like KTA, Safeway and Sack <br /> N Save afraid of. The population is growing. The need for a superstore is here. <br /> People like myself and husband, our daughter and family need the benefits a superstore <br /> can bring to our community. There will always be those who are loyal to the stores mentioned <br /> above. Not everyone is has an EBT cazd and therefore, know if the price of food goes up, so go <br /> their benefits. Not everyone makes a lot of money to pay higher prices. There aze many of us <br /> hard working lower income people who need a break. The families that own Sack N Save and <br /> c~tn,. nlo, 32.73 <br /> Ref. Ta Mnent® ltflti 1 <br /> Rrf. Dare D .T n $ ~nm <br /> <br />