Meet WalMart workers and Author of Nickel and Dimed on March 1

Come to Busboys and Poets (5th and K) on Tuesday, March 1st from 6-8pm and hear Barbara Ehrenreich (author of Nickel and Dimed and other great books) speak with current and former Walmart workers. The topic is Women, Workers, and Walmart and is part of Busboys Monthly Labor Series.

Ehrenreich goes undercover as a WalMart salesperson, among other jobs. Check out Ehrenreich and her work on her website.

Ward Four Thrives says NO to WalMart in Ward Four, and we support other wards' demands for a Community Benefits Agreement--!

Ward 6 ANC commissioner Keith Silver responds to the Post's recent pro-Wal-Mart piece: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/local-opinions/2011/02/hold_wal-mart_to_its_promises.html

Hold Wal-Mart to its promises in D.C.

By Keith Silver, Washington

Regarding the Feb. 14 editorial "The Wal-Mart opportunity":

It's clear that Wal-Mart's "carefully orchestrated campaign to win support and disarm critics" has succeeded with The Post.

How else to explain the editorial board arguing that Wal-Mart shouldn't be expected to jump through hoops or make concessions not expected of other businesses? But Wal-Mart is not like other businesses; it's the biggest corporation in the world, raking in a staggering $14 billion in profits annually.

What The Post calls concessions, I call accountability. Wal-Mart should not be welcomed to Washington unconditionally, given its record of low wages, environmental abuse, discrimination against women and African Americans and labor violations. Unlike The Post, community folk can't live on promises alone; we've had too many broken in the past. We need enforceable safeguards to ensure sustainable employment for D.C. residents and to protect the unique fabric of our neighborhoods.

As a native Washingtonian, I've lived through riots and rebuilding, and I passionately want more jobs and retail to flourish in neglected neighborhoods. But as a member of the Advisory Neighborhood Commission for the Union Station area, a neighborhood that includes one of Wal-Mart's four proposed locations, I can clearly state, without hesitation, that Wal-Mart will not be welcomed in our community without a signed community-benefits agreement.

To Public Hearing or No?

Just in! Lydia DePillis of the City Paper gets down into the audio of the ANC 4B meeting where Michael Brown appeared to commit to holding public hearings... But not quite 100% totally for sure pinky swear says he'd make hearings happen. Thanks for clearing it up, and let this be a lesson on politician speak for the neighbors working to support their community's right to community-led development!

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2011/02/18/michael-brown-didnt-exactly-call-for-walmart-hearings/

Updates and upcoming events!

W4T and the rest of Ward Four residents following Foulger Pratt's development plans are anxiously awaiting the imminent submittal of the Large Tract Review for the WalMart development.

With the intersection at hand already designated a "failing" intersection by the city, we're eager to see how WalMart could possibly claim to effect anything less than an Georgia Avenue parking lot.

How can you get involved?

Come learn more tonight from 7-9 at our film night! "WalMart: The High Cost of Low Prices"

Sign the petition! Send it along to your friends!

Read a response to the recent Washington Post article's faulty fact claims. "Walmart's Broken Promises, Coming Soon to a District Near You?"

Come to our next meeting on March 2nd! 6:30-8:30 at the Fort Stevens Recreation Center at 13th and Van Buren st NW!

Anonymous Residents Support Wal Mart

Some folks, maybe Ward Four residents, but probably not, think WalMart is so great that they're posting anonymous flyers around Ward Four, and possibly other wards as well.

Ward Four Thrives represents close to 1,000 residents in the affected neighborhoods who are against the WalMart development.

And while it's true that WalMart has been caught paying supportive demonstrators $100 each to march in the streets, this seems somehow less professional and put together.

Community-Led Development, here we come!

W4T meets tomorrow night! Be there to listen, discuss, and get involved!

Wednesday 6:30-8:30 at the Fort Stevens Recreation Center at 13th and Van Buren NW!

More Yard Signs!

Get Your Yard Signs!

The first delivery of yard and window signs from the Living Wages, Healthy Communities coalition is here. The window sign is the same but smaller, on heavy card-stock for those of us in apartment buildings. These yard signs are sturdy, and I have been told that they even made it well through the snow and ice of the past few weeks.

We currently have about 50 window signs and 15 yard signs, but can get more any time. Email Michele directly (scinerd1(at)gmail.com) if you want to arrange to pick one up (we are working out the ability to deliver directly to your yard).

The goal is to begin by getting these in our yards first and using them as talking points to spread them around our neighborhoods. It would be great to saturate the areas closest to the store first.

BowserFail

Bowser weighs her options and casts her vote for WalMart. WalMart isn't right for Ward 4. Ward 4 needs community led development! Together we can develop a Georgia Avenue in line with the city's original Great Streets plan with local businesses, manageable traffic, and good jobs for DC residents.

Muriel! WalMart will result in a net retail job loss of on average 2.7%!


MEDIA ALERT February 9, 2011 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Rob Hawkins 202-741-0921 or email rhawkins@dccouncil.us

A Walmart plan I can support

While discussions about Walmart's plans to open a store in Ward 4 have been polarizing and sometimes raucous, the issues deserve a thorough analysis. Nearby neighbors' legitimate concerns about traffic, density, noise and parking must be balanced against promised jobs, immediate private investment and the long-awaited transformation of an important corridor. In this balancing act, city agencies must aggressively protect the District's interests.

While Walmart's plan to open a smaller, “urban” store in Ward 4 requires no government assistance, Walmart's success will require neighborhood support. For Walmart and the neighborhood to maximize benefits and minimize future problems, the company must:

• Respect our Comprehensive Plan: Executive branch review of Walmart's construction plans is designed to ensure that the project comports with the city's Comprehensive Plan and does not inappropriately strain city infrastructure. The proposed store could create traffic and parking problems, increased water runoff, and additional noise. City planners must ensure that any approved plan respects the values enshrined in the Comprehensive Plan: a walkable, multimodal neighborhood center at this intersection that offers superior retail and housing choices.

• Invest in D.C. and Ward 4: Walmart promises 1,200 permanent jobs citywide and 300 in Ward 4, but it is imperative that wages and benefits are competitive, and that local contractors, construction workers and tradesmen build these new stores. In Chicago, a minority-woman general contractor built a Walmart with unionized labor. There's no reason that a minority development team could not construct these stores here. A citywide agreement on these bread-and-butter issues would go a long way toward addressing residents' skepticism.

• Help build a better Brightwood: We know that investment follows clean, safe, vibrant corridors that have great transportation options. Walmart, and existing and future businesses, will benefit from a coordinated small-business recruitment, retention and improvement program. Walmart should be the first at the table and agree to share its abundant parking with the patrons of existing businesses, accommodate car and bike sharing and provide enhanced bus, pedestrian and roadway amenities, all of which will help make a better Brightwood.

• Make sure urban means excellent: Retailers too often think that urban means substandard, inferior goods, service and selection, which is not welcome here. We are encouraged by Walmart's addition of fresh-food options at the site and even more so since First Lady Michelle Obama's recent endorsement of the company's initiative to provide healthful foods. Even though the proposal lacks a housing component, which is my strong preference, I am encouraged by the quality retail design and underground parking proposed for this site.

• Put all the cards on the table: Walmart would like to approach each of its four District proposals separately, like it did in the Chicago area, but we cannot let that happen. Citywide agreements are the strongest tool to ensure that District residents benefit the most from Walmart's entrance into our valuable, largely untapped neighborhood retail markets. I will work with my colleagues and the Mayor's economic development team to maintain our unified approach to getting the best for the District.

Walmart will submit plans to the Office of Planning in the coming weeks. The elements outlined above reflect a Walmart plan I can support and the strong sentiments of many of the people I represent. Walmart would be smart to heed our concerns.

###

-WARD 4-

A native Washingtonian and former ANC commissioner, Councilmember Muriel Bowser is Chair of the Committee on Libraries, Parks and Recreation. She is also a member of the Committees on: Finance and Revenue; Public Services and Consumer Affairs; Public Works and Transportation; and the Judiciary. Visit www.murielbowser.com for more information.

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 110, Washington, DC 20004 202-724-8052 phone 202-741-0908 fax

No Surprises at ANC 4C Meeting

ANC 4C commissioners held a public meeting with developer Foulger Pratt and representatives from WalMart. This is the first time WalMart has met with residents in Ward Four, and it was attended by about 75 residents.

Foulger Pratt presented the same images and plans as several months ago at an ANC 4B meeting, signaling that the plans haven't changed. The Foulger Pratt representative spent much of the time highlighting how the architectural merits and aesthetic value of the big box store will add to the neighborhood. His repeated emphasis on community involvement was patronizing at best, as over 800 Ward Four residents have signed onto a petition to Foulger Pratt demanding that no Wal Mart be built. These community concerns have not come into play in Foulger Pratt's efforts to this point.

WalMart's community representative listed many benefits that it would commit to verbally but not in writing, including the hiring of ex offenders, not selling guns or alcohol, and limited hours of operation and truck delivery. For a business known for snarling urban traffic and creating jobs with unaffordable health care plans and poverty wages, these claims were the hardest to believe for many Ward Four residents present.

Updates on W4T meetings with At-Large rep Sekou Biddle and Office of Planning on the way!

Next meeting

Next Ward Four Thrives meeting is Wednesday Feb 9th at 6:30- at the senior center at 13th and tuckerman. We'll have yard signs too!

FILM: Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price

FILM: Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price

A screening and discussion showing why many DC residents are concerned about Wal-Mart's efforts to open 4 big box stores in the District of Columbia.

Friday, February 18, 2011

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Plymouth Congregational Church

5301 North Capitol Street, NE

Washington, DC, USA

Wal-Mart has plans to establish four stores in DC by 2012. Notorious in other parts of the nation for threatening small businesses, causing the loss of more jobs, and bringing lower wage standards for all workers to communities, concerned District of Columbia citizens and social justice organizers are coming together to resist the implications of this disastrous plan.

Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price features the deeply personal stories and everyday lives of families and communities struggling to survive in a Wal-Mart world. It's an emotional journey that will challenge the way you think, feel... and shop.

This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided and a discussion about the impact Wal-Mart will have on the District of Columbia will follow the screening.

Co-sponsors: Ward 4 Thrives, Wal-Mart Free DC, Empower DC, DC Jobs With Justice, UFCW Local 400, IPS' Cities for Progress project, and Plymouth Congregational UCC Board of Social Action.

For more information call 202-787-5229 or visit http://walmartfreedc.org/

Rescheduled Community Advocacy Day February 7th

Ward 4 Thrives is participating in a day of Community Advocacy this Monday February 7th from 9 am to 12 pm. We are joining our fellow city-wide coalition members to deliver a message to the Councilmembers and Mayor that we expect Wal-Mart and the city to Respect the residents of DC and the Choices of our communities.

Over 800 Ward 4 Residents have signed on to voice their opposition to a Wal-Mart in our ward. Let's deliver that message again, this time in person. Are you free Monday morning? Then come join us!

When - Monday February 7th 9 am to 12 noon (lunch is being generously provided by our local UFCW members)

Where - The Wilson Building downtown 1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW, meeting in the Lobby initially

Why - To tell the Councilmembers to make Wal-Mart Respect DC Residents and our Community choices

How - We will form teams by Ward to meet with Councilmembers. Each team will probably meet with 2 Councilmembers. You already know what you think, but additional materials from Ward 4 Thrives can be provided to you, just let us know.

Who - You! Your neighbors!

Email Michele or call (202)641-5546 if you are going to try and come so that we can have a head-count and know who to look out for.

Ward 4 Thrives is turning up the pressure. Help us keep it up!

Yard Signs Available!

Get Your Yard Signs!

The first delivery of yard and window signs from the Living Wages, Healthy Communities coalition is here. The window sign is the same but smaller, on heavy card-stock for those of us in apartment buildings. These yard signs are sturdy, and I have been told that they even made it well through the snow and ice of the past few weeks.

We currently have about 50 window signs and 15 yard signs, but can get more any time. Email Michele directly (scinerd1@gmail.com) if you want to arrange to pick one up (we are working out the ability to deliver directly to your yard).

The goal is to begin by getting these in our yards first and using them as talking points to spread them around our neighborhoods. It would be great to saturate the areas closest to the store first.