To the editor:

I just want to respond to the letter by Kim Anderson (Public Forum, Wednesday), who opposes building a Wal-Mart Super Store at Sixth Street and Wakarusa Drive.

¢ See past stories on the Wal-Mart proposal

Yes, Kim the store will offer lower prices. Yes, Kim, the store will sell just about everything. You say Wal-Mart will endanger the local companies. Our current Wal-Mart on South Iowa Street has been in Lawrence for many years and I have yet to see it make a dent in the business that downtown Lawrence businesses do. Competition is fair play. Other than college kids with daddy’s gold card, your average Lawrence shopper can only window shop at many of the downtown stores. The prices are set for the college crowd. A family of four on today’s pay use Wal-Mart stores as their only way of affording a somewhat comfortable life.

You claim that Wal-Mart will cause traffic congestion. Have you been downtown mid afternoon or on a Saturday or Sunday and tried to find parking?

Instead of listing the negatives of a Wal-Mart Superstore, let’s list some positives. Employment opportunities, property tax revenue and reasonable prices for practical items.

Face facts Kim. You don’t want lower- to middle-income people shopping and eating in your neighborhood. Well, hard times are a comin’ Kim and if you loose your job, you’ll be glad there’s a Wal-Mart nearby — or even two.

Kevin Albert,

Lawrence