To the editor:

I have read many articles in the Journal-World that are against the fact that Wal-Mart wants to build a Supercenter in the city of Lawrence. I also remember when Cracker Barrel wanted to build its restaurant near the Tanger Factory Outlet Center. I’m sure there are others that have wanted to bring their place of business to Lawrence but have been rejected.

Where is the progress as to bringing in these interested companies to help our community grow and build the labor force? Many homes have been built in the area. It’s good that we are growing in that respect. You have to think big dollars to even look at one of these homes.

What is being done to help the lower-income people? There have been articles of the homeless but not hopeless appearing in the paper. As I see it, we need more places for people to be employed. Wal-Mart would probably hire 250 to 300 people in its Supercenter.

Not everyone in Lawrence has a college education or maybe even a high school education, but they have to make a living for themselves and their families. They have to go to the cheapest places in town to buy their food, clothing and other items. There is no way they can afford a $100 pair of shoes.

If they don’t have a job, they have to turn to unemployment or maybe be homeless. I think we should be giving a big welcome to those companies that want to come to Lawrence.

Virgil Sprague,

Lawrence