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Letters, 3/6: Don't need a third Wal-Mart

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Thursday, Mar 06, 2008 - 09:30:10 am CST

I believe two Wal-Marts in Lincoln are more than enough. The new one being built at 84th and Adams will have a negative effect on the surrounding neighborhoods. Many businesses in the Havelock area, such as Russ’s Market or Ace Hardware and other small one-stop shops, will be harmed by the low prices and convenience of a Wal-Mart Supercenter.

The low prices and having everything in one place is great, but with a Wal-Mart you lose the great relationships and knowledge of the product that you get with a smaller store that sells a more specific type of product.

It also will hurt the community around where the new Wal-Mart will be. If businesses close because of the construction of a new Wal-Mart, people who lost their jobs may go work there. Their wages will be far less, thus they will have less money to spend and less to put into our economy.

If and when you shop at Wal-Mart, think about what you are doing to your community and the good of Lincoln.

Bryant Marschman, Lincoln

Sick days protect others, too

I think pulling kids out of school if they’re sick is a must for the safety of others. If the amount exceeds 20 days, there has to be a logical reason why it has exceeded that much.

The only reason this is happening to parents is for the safety of everyone. I think this is very helpful and everyone will benefit.

Nora Alyasseri, Lincoln

Smokers will go elsewhere

Now that the smoking ban has passed, let’s talk about how it will affect some small towns in the state.

Let’s take Seward, for example. Within the past year, two restaurants and a bar/restaurant opened up. They all opened up as 100 percent nonsmoking. Well, none of them lasted a year because they had no customers.

The only entertainment in town is a bowling alley. A lot of people from Lincoln are joining leagues there because there is smoking. We are two of the people who drive to Seward to bowl every week. When the no-smoking ban goes into effect, it will be pointless for us to drive 20 miles to bowl. So we no longer will bowl anywhere.

The two bars that are still open serve excellent food at a reasonable price. Although neither owner smokes, they know the majority of customers smoke. It is doubtful the 2 p.m. crowd getting off work will spend until 6 p.m. or 8 p.m. as they do now.

For those of you who think we are all whining, we’re making plans for trips. Trips that will take us into states like Missouri that have 17 cents a pack versus 64 cents a pack.

We agree that a pack of cigarettes should not carry a 64-cent tax. That tax gives this state about $66 million a year in its coffers. Any amount we can take out of those coffers will really make us smile.

Steve and Sharon Radke, Lincoln

Home-school laws a burden

I would like to dispel some of the misunderstandings that are being bandied about concerning home schooling. As both a licensed, although currently nonpracticing, attorney and a seven-year home-schooling mom, I think I’m qualified to weigh in on this issue.

Home schooling is currently regulated in Nebraska. The law requires five basic subjects be taught each year and more than 1,000 school hours to be logged.

Home-schooling parents determine what curricula will be used to teach the required subjects, but they must file a list of the books and materials they will use and a description of the course of study with the Department of Education. Along with that information and a calendar outlining how and when the requisite number of school hours will be completed, each home-schooling parent submits a signed, sworn affidavit that he or she will fulfill the obligation to teach the required subjects for the required number of hours.

There are already penalties in place if a parent fails to fulfill these obligations. Criminal penalties can be imposed if a parent violates his or her sworn oath. Rules and regulations adopted by the Department of Education empower the department to conduct home visits and even require regular achievement testing of students if the department has cause to believe parents are not adequately schooling the children in question.

Clearly, the state already has adequate safeguards in place. If some home-schooled children are still “falling through the cracks,” as proponents of LB1141 imagine, the responsibility rests with state Department of Education officials to enforce the current statutes.

It makes no sense to enact more stringent laws, burdening all home schoolers with mandatory testing and additional recordkeeping requirements.

Linda W. Rohman, Lincoln

Uni Place needs own store

Has Hy-Vee really thought about how losing a grocery store in the University Place neighborhood is going to affect the dynamics in the area? Do they even care?

We have many elderly and Wesleyan University students without transportation, but that’s not all of it. The area is like a small town, and when a grocery goes, so goes the town. There aren’t any other places in University Place to put a grocery store.

If they aren’t going to keep the store there, please, at least allow another grocery store to fill the void.

Believe me when I say that a good portion of the residents won’t be shopping at the new stores. I know I won’t, even though the new one is a mile closer to me. I moved last year but still went to my old store out of loyalty and the fact that the store was just the right size (bigger isn’t necessarily better). Not anymore. Lots of other choices in my new neighborhood.

Lanore Saltzman, Lincoln

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BBG wrote on March 6, 2008 9:53 am:

" Mr & Mrs Radke-let me get this straight, you're actually going to give up bowling because you can't go 2 hours without a cigarette? You realize that there will be areas outside you can go smoke in don't you? You've never heard of Nicorette? Seriously. Twenty percent of the population still smokes. Seems to me the 80% who don't are actually the majority. You might want to brush up on your math. "

BK wrote on March 6, 2008 9:59 am:

" Kinda of bad when you have to have smoking to prop up your lives, but I could think of many more reasons to go
out of Lincoln tho. I'd like to move to a retirement
place and need to be nearer hospitals, but your caught
between a rock and a hard place. You can barely pay the
taxes on your home, and you can't afford retirement places in Lincoln. The state I use to live in with half
the taxes and nice retirement places near hospitals that
are affordable keeps calling me to move back. Unfortunately Nebraska forcing me out years ago and not
being able to enjoy my family, whats left, it appears
its pack up again and leave. These leaders are suppose
to be college educated here, yeah, sure, I've got a
bridge in Brooklyn I'll sell ya too!!!! Amazing how two
cities the same size, one with the highest taxes & costs
have to keep raising taxes yet goes nowhere industrially,
and the other grows and has half the taxes. Don't take
a college education to show me the greed and spending
Lincoln has!!!
"

Cat wrote on March 6, 2008 10:13 am:

" On the Hy-Vee issue: It's a business. Businesses are not there to 'serve the community' but to 'make a profit'. Otherwise, they wouldn't be businesses, they'd be non-profit organizations.

And the argument about Wesleyan students without transportation not being able to get groceries: Well, heck, there's even more University of Nebraska students on campus, and not a grocery store in sight downtown. Oh, no! "

SB wrote on March 6, 2008 10:44 am:

" Since Lincoln’s smoking ban – I now eat out and frequent bars twice as much. So… I guess it equals out. "

Yup wrote on March 6, 2008 10:44 am:

" I shop Walmart because I have to make my paycheck stretch. If the small business owners will lower their prices to match Walmart, then people could shop there. If they can't because of volume buying, then they're in the same shape I'm in, they only have so much money to go around. I also shop Walmart because it's wheelchair accessible. Not a lot of small shops are, I don't fault them, they're in older buildings, but if I can't get into a business or get around, I can't shop there. Everything is in one store, so once I get inside the store (unloading a wheelchair and sliding into it), it's nice to be able to shop for everything, not having to get in my car to go to another store and repeat the process. And don't worry about Russ's. Actually by them coming into areas in Lincoln they have driven out smaller grocery stores themselves. If Walmart wages are less, then again, it's to keep the prices low so I can afford to buy items I need. I shouldn't be expected to shop at the most expensive place in town just so I can pay someones wages. And last, I'm more concerned about my family than the good of Lincoln. Why don't you really say what you wanted to...you're anti Walmart. I welcome another Walamrt. "

GMP wrote on March 6, 2008 10:44 am:

" To Steve and Sharon Radke, I can not believe you are going to let an addition (smoking) keep you from doing the healthy, entertaining activities that you enjoy(?). Seems like cutting off your nose to spite your face. You are the ones to suffer, not the rest of us. When Lincoln's ban took effect, I was wondering how it would affect things, but the places I go are booming every night - people just go outside to smoke.
And to Lanore Saltzman, I was very upset over HyVee also, but got answers from them. They are planning on a delivery program (both online and over the phone orders for those who do not have internet access) and a free prescription mail service, so I guess they are trying to help the area transition. I am not sure of the cost of the delivery program. But, I will probably do my shopping at Russ's, since it is closer to me.
What upsets me the most is that businesses are so anxious to rush to the "new" "more interesting" areas of town, and to leave the "old" established areas. Look what happened with downtown. Now Lincoln is essentially a big "circle", Pine Lake area, 84th St area, I-80 area, leaving the older, inside areas to decay, maybe vanish. Remember, there are a lot of university students, elderly, and those who choose to live in older areas left. We all aren't "up and coming" who live on the outskirts in the "new areas". What about serving us too? "

wow wrote on March 6, 2008 10:51 am:

" if you really want to save money and not give your cigarette tax money to the state of Nebraska then just quit smoking "

mitchy_v (non-smoker) wrote on March 6, 2008 10:51 am:

" Anti-smoking groups will not stop until smoking is gone completely. You tell the smokers to stop complaining because you can go outside when bowling? Last time I checked, you can't wear the shoes outside. Also, the anti-smoking groups are trying to ban smoking anywhere near the entrance. Smokers need to do whatever it takes to hit the state where it hurts, in the pocketbook. The cigarette tax put in 64 million dollars into the states general fund. You keep forcing out the smokers, they will take a stand, and you, the anti-smoker will be left having to make up the differance in the taxes. You asked for this so don't complain when your taxes go up. "

Justice for all wrote on March 6, 2008 10:53 am:

" I read all the whining and crying about losing the store in University Place. I laugh, because it is alot like the smoking ban, when the places were taken away by a group you have no control over and cant do anything about. So like most of you who said I don't care if a bar goes broke or they can stay at home, I feel the same way about your store. Buy a car or peddle a bike. "

HUGE LOSS wrote on March 6, 2008 10:55 am:

" In college we always walked to Hy Vee it was a great time. Even now that I live in south west Lincoln and work downtown I still travel over there to that Hy Vee because I enjoyed it so much! Ode to the HIVEE you will be missed! "

Kim wrote on March 6, 2008 11:07 am:

" I agree with BBG. I used to smoke and when Lincoln's ban went into effect it didn't stop me from going out. You're basing your life around a cigarette and letting it dictate what you are going to do? Not to mention the common sense of YOU CAN GO OUTSIDE, so it shouldn't stop you from bowling altogether. Maybe you ought to just quit and then you can have your life back. "

mitchy_v wrote on March 6, 2008 11:09 am:

" This just proves that smokers do make an impact on the local economy. Lincoln was suffering to they did a statewide ban to TRY to get them back. The smaller towns need to add smoking patios and smokers from lincoln should go there. They won't care if a bar in Waverly closes, but when business in lincoln start to suffer, they will care. "

That Guy wrote on March 6, 2008 11:14 am:

" "Many businesses in the Havelock area, such as Russ’s Market or Ace Hardware and other small one-stop shops, will be harmed by the low prices and convenience of a Wal-Mart Supercenter."

Oh no, please stop the low prices and convenience!! I DON'T WANT IT!!

Really dude, what is your argument here? If you are appealing to people not to shop there, then good - that's the only way to "beat" Wal-Mart. But if you are appealing that there should be some sort of government intervention to prevent Wal-Mart from opening up, then I think you are in the wrong there.

And I don't see how "hurting" small businesses is bad if it is what the people choose by voting with their dollars. Reverse the situation - is it "unfair" and "hurting" Wal-Mart if they close down because everyone shops at Russ's and Ace? "

Actually mitchy_v wrote on March 6, 2008 11:17 am:

" Seeing as how cigarette revenue brings in roughly $250million a year, but smoking-caused health problems cost Nebraska tax payers $419 million a year - your taxes don't count for squat. We're only making you pay for a little over half of what you cause - frankly you're getting a break. "

Waaah Mr. Marschman wrote on March 6, 2008 11:25 am:

" Walmart can be competed against in the areas of service and quality of products. Little places don't stand a chance most times when it comes to price, but service provided and quality of items stocked can overcome this. Walmart has low prices, but a lot of their stuff is junk. It's all about choice. The last time I checked, this is the USA, not some Communist nation. "

Josh wrote on March 6, 2008 11:26 am:

" I'm not a smoker. I've never been one, nor will I ever be one. I've seen the effects smoking has on people and I know the costs associated with it. Nonetheless, I can't believe how many people advocate allowing the government to take legitimate business decisions out of business owners' hands and do it "for the good of the people." The nanny state we are cultivating is a like taking one step forward and two steps back. If a private business owner wants to allow smoking in their establishment, they should have that right. Let economics sort them out. If nonsmokers care THAT much about being around smoking, the market will surely support smoking and nonsmoking businesses. "

LC wrote on March 6, 2008 11:36 am:

" They say there is nothing worse than an ex-smoker, and that would be me. People who have never smoked need to understand that this is the most powerful addiction in our culture - greater than cocaine or heroin according to the medical community. It took me over a year and a half and about ten attempts to finally quit so consider having some sympathy for those who are unable to. It is the addiction talking when smokers lash out at being "persecuted", because the alternative is to admit you are under the control of something more powerful than yourself. The withdrawl can be overwhelming and even with aids like the patch there is still a psychological habit to overcome. I know a guy, a long-time smoker who tried numerous times to quit - who was in a coma for a week and then underwent five cigarette-free months in therapy before being released from medical care. He had essentially quit without any real effort on his part. On his first opportunity out of the house, he bought a pack of smokes and started up again. This is an identity issue, not just an addiction. When we get serious about it, we will outlaw tobacco completely as a national health threat just like asbestos and methamphetamine. Until then the gradual phase-out leading to a real smoke-free society will be tough on some of us. Please be patient and let the smokers vent with harmless letters to editors. "

Tammy wrote on March 6, 2008 11:37 am:

" Where did the 419 million figure come from? What is your source? Again, put all taxes smokers pay into a general fund for medical expenses only. That way no one else pays for the health problems we're all supposedly footing the bill for. And with all the increased sales tax revenue from the non smokers flocking back to the new non smoking establishments, there should be no problems replacing the revenue lost, right? "

Late O'Day wrote on March 6, 2008 11:48 am:

" I find myself buying much more stuff online nowadays. I wonder how many other people do too. I can't go to downtown bars or my favorite coffee house (for example), I'm not likely to make a special trip down there just to go to Walgreens or Nebraska Bookstore, whereas before I might have easily dropped by. That's okay ... I'm sure the nannies will rush in to fill the void. (snicker-snicker) "

Oh Tammy wrote on March 6, 2008 12:38 pm:

" The Nebraska Health and Human Services provided that 419 estimate. Go back and do the math. You pay 250 million in cigarette taxes. You cost 419 million in smoke-caused health expenses to the taxpayers. Anyway you slice it the 80% of us who don't smoke are footing 219 million dollars a year for your addiction that you know full well is deadly and does nothing good for you. "

Smokers are always wrote on March 6, 2008 12:41 pm:

" going to continue to make excuses, because they will never be strong enough to admit they have a problem. Once they start seeing straight they will understand exactly how addicted they were to a piece of paper with tobacco in it. I should not have to suffer because of your gross habit. Do you think heroin junkies should just shoot up in front of everyone? And do not say it isn't the same thing because it is, the only difference is tobaccos "buzz" do not last as long and heroin can kill you quicker. You are just as addicted as a heroin junkiey, don't believe me? TRY TO QUIT. "

Christian wrote on March 6, 2008 12:43 pm:

" Linda- Your listed credentials are impressive. And your information is valued by me. That said, all the regulations that you list are easy to work around, including home visits. The one aspect that is required with the enforcement of existing laws is the participation of the child. Unless he is a whistleblower, any parent can convince an official that the work is being done as advertised. The only way that I have seen that allows the child to "certify" whether he is being taught, without forcing him to turn in his parnets, is testing.
And while I could respectfully disagree with you, once you write "IT MAKES NO SENSE to enact more stringent laws, burdening all home schoolers with mandatory testing and additional recordkeeping requirements" (capitals all mine), that's when you lose me. It makes some sense, perhaps even a lot of sense. It's why there is a debate that a lot of intelligent people have participated in on both sides. It smacks of you just not wanting the extra burden. "

The fact that tobacco is... wrote on March 6, 2008 12:46 pm:

" legal boggles my mind. How is it any different that heroin,cocaine and meth? Oh yeah tobacco kills 50 times more people a year! Don't believe your little habbit is as worse as those drugs? Then I dare you to quit, see what happens. Oh and thanks smokers for all the high insurance rates. But I do feel sorry for you all because you are victims of our very own gov't. Why is it that tobacco and alcohol(which have a combined yearly death rate of 500,000) are things that are legal. "

stignob wrote on March 6, 2008 12:56 pm:

" The Founding Fathers we're all for a luxury tax and that includes cigarettes. The problem is the nanny state dictating what businesses should or shouldn't do with a legal product. Lincoln's revenue is showing the effect. I wonder why PO pears is closing after how many years? "

mitchy_v wrote on March 6, 2008 12:59 pm:

" Ok, you want to use the insurance angle? Say the $500 million is accurate, provide it was a figure determined by a group who is against smoking.
Obeseity costs Nebraska $454 million along with another $200 million for medicade and medicare. And that is just for adults. Don't forget to thank them for the high insurance rates too. They only make up 6%. Doing the math, obese cost us three times as much per person than smokers. "

LOL wrote on March 6, 2008 1:08 pm:

" How interesting that now the non smokers are trying to tell Mr & Mrs Radke that they HAVE to do things the way they want? No where in their letter did I see where they couldn't go 2 hours without a cigarette. They simply said they wouldn't go bowling if they couldn't enjoy it. I find it laughable that smokers aren't content with baning cigarettes from public places, now they're trying to tell smokers that they need to keep doing what they use to do, but just don't smoke. Then they tell them they have to quit. I say it's non of your business what the smokers do with their lives, since they're not allowed to smoke in public places, why do you care cause you're not going to see them. "

New to Lincoln wrote on March 6, 2008 1:10 pm:

" If I can get a credit for every pack of cigarettes I smoke that I can use later on when they try to raise taxes to make up for the lack of taxes coming in I will quit bitching about the smoking ban.
To all of the posters who ask " can't you go two hours without a smoke" the answer is yes I can but I would rather go somewhere that I can enjoy both smoking and drinking-bowling or whatever else I wanted.
If they just set it up where one place is smoking and another is not and let the OWNERS of the place decide what to do with THIER business that would be ok with me too. "

mitchy_v wrote on March 6, 2008 1:22 pm:

" Ok, you say there are 500,000 deaths per year due to smoking and tobacco. Then why does Smoke Free Nebraska claim 53,000 deaths a year but American Lung claims 32,000 lives a year? I didn't know that drinking caused 450,000 deaths a year in Nebraska. "

MarkyMark wrote on March 6, 2008 1:34 pm:

" We absolutely have enough Walmarts. This Giant is responsible for trampling thousands of small businesses here in America right into bankruptcy selling the cheap Chinese stuff. No way can anyone compete with them...not only should we not allow a new one but lets run the other two out of town. Boycott cheap junk! "

Grundle wrote on March 6, 2008 1:46 pm:

" It is an out-and-out lie to say that Lincoln's revenue's are suffering because of the smoking ban. The service industry, which was presumably the most effected group, has seen INCREASED revenues every year since the enactment of the smoking ban. As far as blaming the smoking ban for the closure of P.O. Pears, I ask, what led you to this conclusion? Certainly the article in the LJS doesn't cite anyone blaming it on the smoking ban. In fact, the article makes it sound as though the owner is just tired of being the owner. BTW, has anybody tried to go bowling lately? I went out a couple weeks ago, and all of the bowling alleys were packed! They all had at least a 1 hour wait to get a lane. I hope Steve and Sharon DO stay home...maybe I'll be able to go bowling! "

Adam wrote on March 6, 2008 1:49 pm:

" From a quick read in the Journal Star no less, I got that PO Pears' closing had NOTHING to do with smoking and more with the owner just not wanting to do it anymore. Whoops. "

russ wrote on March 6, 2008 1:49 pm:

" To Radkes: You realize you'll be paying about 70 cents tax per gallon of gas to drive to Missouri so you can save 47 cents in tax on the smokes, right? "

oh mitchy_v wrote on March 6, 2008 1:53 pm:

" I was talking nationwide not only in Nebraska (come on give me some credit) and you do know that smoking affects many different parts of your body don't you? Like oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, bladder, stomach, cervix, kidney and pancreas, and acute myeloid leukemia.I find it funny that smokers think it only effects their lungs. "

Jack wrote on March 6, 2008 2:03 pm:

" Last time I checked, this was still a capitalist society. Why should ANY business, including Wal-Mart, not be able to build and do business? I personnaly loathe the place, and do not shop there. Wal-mart, or Dr. Johns, or Joes Fried Fish Eyes, all have the right to do business regardless of what I think. Let them fail due to lack of customers patronizing their stores, not because Big Brother says they cannot be in business. "

TG wrote on March 6, 2008 2:05 pm:

" Yes, Walmart is the devil... BUT, with their prices, and everything all in one store, how can you absolutely avoid going there? With the price of gas eating into everyone's pockets these days, Walmart is a "necessary evil" in today's society.

That being said, have you ever been to the north Walmart on a weekend? I avoid it all costs. Takes forEVER to get in and out of that place. And if you wait til the nonbusy hours later in the evening, then the shelves are completely empty. So, yes, we DO need another Walmart, to take some of the strain off of the north one for those of us that do have to go to Walmart to save a little dough to pay for gas. "

are you kidding me? wrote on March 6, 2008 2:06 pm:

" Steve and Sharon Radke: Do you realize how much your habit is controlling your lives? You obviously love to bowl - you're willing to drive to Seward to do it - but you are now going to give it up. Driving all the way to Seward with $3 gas so you can smoke while you bowl, then giving up bowling because you can't smoke while you're doing it. Now you are planning trips to Missouri to save a few cents on a pack of cigarettes. Do you realize how crazy all this sounds to a non-smoker? "

Christian wrote on March 6, 2008 2:13 pm:

" Stignob- As a frequent regular of P.O. Pears and a friend of the owner, the bar's closing has nothing to do with the smoking ban. It has to do with the value of the assets owned (land and equipment) versus the revenue the bar generates (pre- or post- smoking ban)and, more importantly, the owner's desire to stop living his life in a bar. "

ok stignob wrote on March 6, 2008 2:25 pm:

" Nebraska isn't the only state that has banned smoking in public places. Nebraska just joined a growing list.

As for that 400+ million for tobacco, that would be in total tobacco sales, of which only about $40 million is in tobacco tax. So, if tobacco was outlawed, the state would only lose $40 million in taxes which is just a drop in the bucket compared to the overall tax picture. Every dollar lost in tobacco tax would be saved by not paying hospital care for the lost smoker. There fore it would be a win-win for the state.

I would also like to know of these utopia states where the taxes are low and and retirement homes are next to hospitals. Every state I've looked at, the taxes are very close to Nebraska and some are even higher.

Hmmmm. Sounds Garrison Keelors Prairie Home on NPR. "

Matt Poulsen wrote on March 6, 2008 2:43 pm:

" Yeah, what a horrible idea for the citizens of Lincoln!! Why would we ever provide them with low prices and convenience!! For crying out loud, listen to your own argument! Its completely anti-capitalist. You are actually arguing that Wal-mart should not be allowed because people will be attracted to the convenience and the low prices...really?? I'm not a big fan of Wal-mart, but the bottom line is that the economics clearly indicate that's what the people want. "

Theresa wrote on March 6, 2008 2:46 pm:

" Ugh. Walmart has nothing but cheap crap. They keep their prices so low by getting manufacturers to water down your shampoo, building computers with inferior materials, so no, in the long run you are not saving money. If you don't believe me, research it! Knowing this, it is EASY to avoid that god-awful monstrocity. Haven't shopped there since 2003! "

The Dude wrote on March 6, 2008 2:54 pm:

" I believe nicotine is perfomance enhancing in the sport of bowling. Hello Kansas! "

walmart shopper wrote on March 6, 2008 3:01 pm:

" I shop at walmart, i actually had moved away for three years, only to find when i did return that the walmart I loved on 27th and Superior had turned into a ghetto-mart, its dirty, stinky all the time. Its scary to go there at night. I dont know what happend to it. I would love to drive all the way out south to go to the newer one but thats not going to happen. i for one would love a new Wal-mart on 84th and Adams!!! "

peb wrote on March 6, 2008 3:03 pm:

" Last time I darkened the door of a Walmart was in December, 1995. And don't intend to change that fact. "

Jason wrote on March 6, 2008 3:08 pm:

" "you lose the great relationships and knowledge of the product that you get with a smaller store"

HA! Most of the local stores are oblivious to the product - except the ones who have SURVIVED despite Wal-Mart. The ones who have the most to fear are the ones being exposed. You really think Russ's empire is "local?" They're no different than any other monopoly. I've found more expired, unrotated, and rotten product on the shelves of the "hoity-toity" Williamsburg Hy-Vee. I went to Wal-Mart on the south side of town because the product was fresher and had the same (lack of) service you pay for at a Hy-Vee (do you ever really get drive up offered to you)? Ideal grocery survives, Wolfe Hardware survived, and so on. Welcome to the free market. "

mitchy_v wrote on March 6, 2008 3:13 pm:

" Anti-smokers have been using all of these "facts", yet none of them seem to match. Smoke Free Nebraska claim 53,000 deaths a year, American Lung claims 32,000 lives a year, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services says an estimated 2,115 smoking-related deaths. Nobody nows for sure how harmful smoking and second hand smoke is because nobody wants to test it accurately. We have to listen to all of the surveys in which we don't know who was surveyed and where the study was done. There are no FACTS to support either side. "

what? wrote on March 6, 2008 3:32 pm:

" All of you people who don't shop at wal-mart aren't better than the people who do shop there.
I personally can't afford to grocery shop at super saver or russ's or hyvee. They are too expensive. $50 worth of food at walmart goes a lot farther than $50 worth of food at one of the other stores.
Feel free to keep your smug sense of being better than everyone else to yourselves. "

Oh, yea!!!! wrote on March 6, 2008 3:37 pm:

" I haven't shopped at a Hy-vee, Supersaver or Russ's Market since I moved here in 1995.
It's not hard to figure out that $10 goes farther at wal-mart. "

Bad food wrote on March 6, 2008 3:40 pm:

" I refuse to shop at any hy-vee.
4 years ago I purchased a can of tuna, once I got home noticed it had been expired for 3 weeks. I took my receipt and the can back to the store and tried to exchange it for a new can and was met with a flat out no.
I don't think the extra money you pay really goes to customer service. "

peb wrote on March 6, 2008 3:59 pm:

" All I know about second-hand smoke is that I get sick every time I'm around it. True, I don't die but I certainly don't feel good. I don't have allergies or asthma so I can't imagine how much an asthmatic person suffers if subjected to second-hand smoke. Heart disease, bladder cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, mouth cancer, throat cancer, face cancer, stomach cancer can all be traced to carcinogens deposited in your body when you smoke or breath second hand smoke. All it takes is for one of those microscopic carcinogens to start growing somewhere in your body and wa-luh, you have cancer! Smoking causes the interior walls of your arteries to become rough thus making it easier for cholesterol to clog them up. There is nothing redemptive about smoking! "

Ha-ha wrote on March 6, 2008 4:26 pm:

" The posts today from the people praising Wal-Mart, and dissing on Hy-Vee and Russ's (and Super Saver--what's THAT??--I had no idea that was a 'snob store') make it clear to me who we're dealing with online here. I can't stand Wal-Mart because the people who shop there tend to be self-centered and rude. They'll bang right into ya and not even acknowledge it. Whew. "

Stephen wrote on March 6, 2008 4:42 pm:

" Do Russes Market and Ace pay their employees more than Wal-Mart? "

Nina wrote on March 6, 2008 4:58 pm:

" I shop at our local "Terry's Family Foods" in Syracuse for meat and produce (much better meat and cheaper prices than Lincoln) and anything that strikes my fancy to make on the weekend. During the week I buy products at Super Saver and Wal-Mart, and when I want something gourmet to make for company I often end up at Hy-Vee. Each one of these stores has better bargains and selections than the others in certain product areas, and I'm always treated in a friendly and welcome way at them all. All the Lincoln stores can be part of my route home from the office without any extra mileage, so grocery shopping is an art, and enjoyable, because I love to cook and bake. Many of you whiners don't know when you have a great thing - you just need to use your noggin to take advantage of it better. "

Center of Town?? wrote on March 6, 2008 5:02 pm:

" The person talking about the stores all moving to the outskirts of town. Ummm... isn't this new HyVe at 50th and O, give or take? Just how much closer to you WANT it to the center of town? In the middle of the street at the actual intersection of 48th and O? "

A.J.F. wrote on March 6, 2008 6:16 pm:

" How sad for Mr and Mrs Radke... They are going to give up being on a bowling leauge because they can't smoke. Please... Go get help for your smoking addiction?. Life is too short to be giving up bowling just because you have such a strong addiction smoking. Why on Earth would you spend all that gas money going to Missiouri to buy your addiction? Do you realize you will be spending all that money on gas. Do you really want to spend all that money on gas so you can buy your addiction cheaper in Missiouri.? I do feel so bad for you. I am sorry your life is so wacked up with your addiction to smoking that it has come to quitting your bowling team. Again, how sad. "

Yup wrote on March 6, 2008 6:17 pm:

" LOL at the comment about not shopping at Walmart because "people who shop there tend to be self-centered and rude. They'll bang right into ya and not even acknowledge it." I guess if this person doesn't shop at Walmart, how would they know this happens? I shop Walmart and don't bang into ya, can't say I've ever seen it done either. Walmart crowds aren't any different than any other store. Don't exaggerate to make a point. Again, say it the way you mean it, you're just anti-Walmart.

"

Blah Wal-Mart wrote on March 6, 2008 6:20 pm:

" To Wal-Mart Shopper: I can't seriously believe that you are using the north store as your argument for why a third Wal-Mart is needed. That store being run down should tell you something about what kind of a neighbor they really are in a community. As far as Wal-Mart goes I would much rather spend maybe $5 more at a local grocery or hardware store and know that my money is not going back to Arkansas and making billions more for the Waltons. Wal-Mart is the single most profitable retailer in the history of the world. They have done so with shady business practices, poorly paying their employees, not providing most of them with basic benefits, and funding anti-labor groups. They believe that thier employees should not be able to organize and negotiate for wages. This again coming from the most profitable retailer in history. They will never stop until they are the only retailer in existance. What then, hundreds of thousands of low paid benefitless workers. They sure sound like a good neighbor to me! "

Eric wrote on March 6, 2008 7:22 pm:

" Smokers and smoking stinks. 20 years from now it will be unthinkable for anyone to inhale that garbage. "

Freddy Freshaire wrote on March 6, 2008 7:36 pm:

" Smokers are selfish: They demand that the overwhelming majority cater to their needs.
Smokers are inconsiderate: One cigarette ruins the air in the room.
Smokers are suicidal: They exercise a habit that they know will kill them much faster than if they didn't.
Smokers are stupid: They pay lots of money to have stinky clothes, yellow teeth, and bad breath.
Smokers are lazy: They complain that they have to go outside to smoke (yet they still manage to make it to the bathroom).
I could go on, but the point is that smokers are no different than functional addicts of any other drug. They ought to be ostracized for their actions, or at least not allowed to do those actions when they directly affect other people. Hang your heads in shame smokers, you deserve it. "

ex lincolnite wrote on March 6, 2008 8:21 pm:

" You people want a town that is progressive and expanding but you don't want walmart. You deserve what you get. As far as the blog on gas tax going to missouri to buy cigs, it's not 70 cents in missou the state tax is 17 cents. It beats the 25+ the raise in tax if not enough gas is sold in nebraska. The people who talk about the town they used to live in probably is not in the state of nebraska. When you say high taxes you have to mean nebraska. Missouri is going to raise the cigarette tax probably. Its going around people. You can still find a retirement home close to medical care reasonable if you go out of nebraska. I made a move 5 years ago and would never consider going back to the good life. The good life claim is about as believable as saddam having weapons of mass destruction. "

GBR wrote on March 6, 2008 8:26 pm:

" So let me get this straight smokers. You are willing to drive two hours+ to Missouri to buy cigarettes so you can screw Nebraska out of the taxes. Do you fill up your gas tank while you are down there too? Because if you don't, the tax you pay on the gas to get down there is more than you are saving on the cigarette taxes. Hmmmmm, just a thought. "

joey wrote on March 6, 2008 8:40 pm:

" lincoln needs more wal-marts, the more we have, the more trashy the city will become "

Ugh wrote on March 6, 2008 8:49 pm:

" Sometimes I do shop at Walmart because on certain DVD releases I have price matched. They carry a few products that my grocery store does not carry (for example, the half gallon size of Lactaid brand Lactose free Skim Milk, Banquet Honey BBQ Chicken Wings in the bag, and SeaPak Jumbo Butterfly Shrimp w/ Oven cooking directions). Super Saver does not carry these products. I've also purchased Five Star personal notebooks there, since Target does not carry the product and Walgreens and Office Max charge too much for it. Yes, they sell too many 'Made in China' products. When I was looking for a warm pair of socks when it was cold this winter, they had some nice socks that I bought, despite the made in china label.

"

Ek wrote on March 6, 2008 9:05 pm:

" Oh no, no, no,no, no,no,no, this isn't a captalist city,
its a socialist city!!! Did you not read the sign when
you entered?? "

I love Lincoln and Nebraska wrote on March 6, 2008 9:15 pm:

" Obviously there are lots of people who think the same - why else would they be commenting on a Lincoln blog? Lincoln was one of the big reasons Nebraska (thankfully) went to a smoking ban. I guess that's progressive. I will retire here because I have planned ahead and saved quite a bit for retirement...over what I should have at my current age. I'm glad Lincoln is somewhat "picky" when it comes to development, and it doesn't allow just any/every business. It has every right to be choosey. You can bet when I get old and grey I won't move away from my favorite city and then constantly surf that city's blogs. Lincoln is fabulous...I know I'll stay! "

Theresa wrote on March 6, 2008 9:49 pm:

" People who don't shop at Walmart are not better than the people who do. People who don't smoke are not better than the people who do. No one is "better" than anyone else, and the mentality that they are is what causes division and suffering in this world. We all have vices, we all have virtues. "

Oh, Give Me A Break!! wrote on March 6, 2008 9:50 pm:

" I shop at Wal-Mart more than I shop at any other store-the prices are good on our tight budget and when you have two young kids intow, the convience of everything at one stop is unbeatable. Mr. Marschman, when you have a very tight budget, you can't afford to shop at those "smaller stores" where you get the "great relationships" blah, blah, blah......
"

Mom of 6 wrote on March 6, 2008 10:57 pm:

" The truth is that many people have NO choice but to shop at Wal-Mart. I am supporting a family of 8 (my husband is in school full-time) and we have to keep everyone fed! Having said that I also want you to know that I am friends with many people who have plenty of money (I did see the former governor at Wal-Mart one Sunday buying dog biscuits) that still shop there. You have to understand that this country was built on this freedom of choice, including the choice of where to spend YOUR money. Everyone needs to stop criticizing people. We all have to live our lives and the people who are bashing the Wal-Mart shoppers are being judgmental. "

ST wrote on March 6, 2008 11:00 pm:

" When will the Wal-Mart shoppers realize that every dollar they spend there lines the corporate pocket of Wal-Mart and gives them more power. Power to lower wages for their own employees and the employees of their suppliers. The power to produce a "grocery store" desert, by forcing smaller stores to close and the local residents are forced to drive miles out of their way to get to any store. Wal-Mart is a predatory company and will work to close all competiters in smaller towns and cities, while keeping wages and benefits down.

SMOKING- Why do smokers think it is their right to smoke anywhere they please?? It is a personal decision and can be done in the privacy of their own home, and doesn't need to be in public areas.

"

Rob wrote on March 7, 2008 1:15 am:

" I sometimes shop at Walmart. I really can't see what harm I am doing to any community. No one has to shop at Walmart. But, hopefully we will always have the choice to do so if we wish. And if Walmart is successful because they provide low prices and convenience, hurrah for them. Those are actually good things in my estimation. Now if you are into high prices and inconvenience, then go to it. You have that choice, albeit a strange choice. ;) "

Zoomie wrote on March 7, 2008 7:10 am:

" Ms Rohman - first, if all these rules exist why have none of the dozens of home-schooling parents who've written in ever mentioned them previously? Perhaps because they are home-schooling but don't even know about them? Second, what enforcement/punishment in included in the requirements, and how does the Dept of Ed verify it? Can they just show up at your door and demand the documentation? Without no-notice arrival and observation, how do we know parents are actually doing all the things they claim to be doing? And how onerous is it to require kids to set aside a few hours once per year to take a standardized test? I do agree parents shouldn't have to pay for the test (property taxes cover most ed costs, and as property owners they've essentially already paid, just as parents with kids in public school have). Methinks parents who homeschool protest too much! For 2 decades I've heard them proclaim, with no evidence but the anecdotal, that home-school kids do better than public school education does. Now is the time to prove it, or admit many kids are being short-changed! "

Ex HyVee employee wrote on March 7, 2008 8:26 am:

" I worked at HyVee in college. They don't pay any differently than any retailer. They also don't have any benefits for anyone other than the full time employees, who by the way, made less than counterparts at WalMart. HyVee had no union, and all the profits went to Iowa and not Arkansas, as with WalMart. Is it bad for a company to be successful? Guess what, WalMart was a small, family company at one time too....they had vision and took risks to get to where they are, isn't that the american way? Russ's and Super Saver and Ideal will always get customers for their meat and produce alone. "

Give it a rest wrote on March 7, 2008 8:32 am:

" Water down the shampoo??? Building computers with inferior parts?? Give me a break. All you Wal-Mart haters need to find something else to complain about. I'm sick of hearing the argument that you're tired of all the money going back to Arkansas. Here's a newsflash....the vast majority of stores in Lincoln are headquartered elsewhere, check it out. Last time I checked Target/Home Depot/Menards/Lowes/Shop-Ko/Dillards/Younkers/Toys-R-Us ect.. are not headquartered in Lincoln, what about all that money going to another state? Doesn't that make you angry or is it just the Wal-Mart money? Everybody always is complaining about Wal-Mart harming the smaller "mom and pop" stores. The days of "mom and pop" stores are ending, it's a fact of life. In today's economy it doesn't make sense to drive all over town going to ten different stores to get the same products you can in one stop. And you can't honestly tell me the pay a cashier/stocker receives at any "mom and pop" store is any better then at Wal-Mart. If you don't like Wal-Mart, don't shop there and stop your complaining. Just drive down the street to Walgreens, I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding one as you can't go 1/2 mile in any direction without running into one. By the way, any money you spend at Walgreens will just go back to Deerfield Illinois anyway, or is that OK? "

SR wrote on March 7, 2008 9:53 am:

" It is amazing to me that the addiction smokers suffer from makes comments like - I will stop bowling if I have to step outside to smoke - or I will stop eating out if I have to step outside to smoke - or I will stop socializing with friends if I have to step outside to smoke - or I will spend over $3.00 a gallon for gas to drive to Missouri to save $.50 per pack on cigarettes - or I pay taxes so I should have the right to pollute the air with second hand smoke seem logical. "

Walmart wrote on March 7, 2008 9:57 am:

" Like them or hate them, Wal-Mart is also a great place for workers to obtain health insurance. Everybody complains about the health care crisis in this country. Is is that hard to work 20 hours a week at Wal-Mart if you really need insurance??????? "

Mrs. Johnson wrote on March 7, 2008 10:06 am:

" Steve and Sharon - Listen to yourselves. Your lives revolve around a bad habit. Why not break the chains and enjoy a healthier life? "

A necessary evil wrote on March 7, 2008 11:04 am:

" I care supporting my community & country. I want my fellow workers to be paid what they are worth & to have enough to provide for themselves & their families. I'm a former Walmart employee & hated working there. Also didn't agree with a lot of their policies & practices. Also don't like shopping at the north Walmart because it's hard to find a place to park & don't think it's the cleanest place to shop. BUT I'm a hypocrite. I'll shop at Walmart because (like all the other previous posters have said) they provide the best convenience in terms of shopping (they'll match prices, easy returns, have the lowest prices & are open 24 hours a day) & I can multi-task with getting my haircut, pick up prescriptions, get the oil changed, etc. while picking up what I need. I try & support other stores but with shopping at Walmart, I can get what I need & still feel like I'm saving money. I don't feel like I get that at other stores. "

Dano wrote on March 7, 2008 11:18 am:

" not sure where to begin.

Walmart may be evil, but cheaper prices means I afford to pay my bills and keep a roof over my head. I still am able to put some money away at the end of the day. My dollar goes farther and the city gets it tax revenues from it. i don;t see how paying more something in another store helps the community other than I pay higher taxes on it in total over the year. How does that really help my family? At the end of the day, my dollar ends up overseas wherever i spend it, Might as well get the most out of it.

Smokers can go outside. Got to agree with some the comments. I go out now at least once a week because I don;t have to deal with the smoke issue, or subject my children to it. the smoking population is an ever decreasing minority. And you know how the saying goes, majorities win. Cry is your ash try at home if you like, but I don't feel sorry for not allowing you to determine where I can and cannot take my family to eat or be entertained because you are there. Sorry for those business that got extra money from lincolnites needing to smoke in your small town.

Parents should be responsible enough to care for their kids. If you kid is sick, keep them home. All you do is make the problem worse by multplying the numbers of kids that get it. Be an adult for a change. They are you kids, time to act responsible and be their parent.

Uni place deserves the right to have a grocey store if there is someone that wants to put one there. But business is business. Maybe a store could pay Hy-vee a fee to vacate that part of the agreement. Doubt anyone wil move in there with that overhead adde don, but that is an idea. "

Raw Emotion wrote on March 7, 2008 1:07 pm:

" In reading these post's the one common thread is the raw emotion that runs through them.
I'm sure that the same folks that believe that it is their right to decide what they will do with their bodies,now find that they can decide what someone will now do with thiers.Let's be clear:In almost every business I was in had air filteration systems and most had segrated areas for non-smokers but that wasn't enough for those that believe that they should control what I do with my body.We now have a segment of our population that believes that they have a right to decide what the air quality should be inside a business that they will never enter.Should a "majority" of the population decide that every pregnant woman be force to deliver? or should those effected be allowed to decide for themselves? By what caveat does the "majority" decide for all how we are allowed to choose? In preceeding blogs fellow posters came to the conclusion that smoking was only responsible for 3,000 deaths nation wide not 53,000 or 32,000 but 3,000 out of 300 million people but that number isn't nearly the emotion grabber that 53,000 is.
As far as P.O.Pears goes lets keep in mind that it was one of the first bars to go smoke free,when business fell off it lobbied the city to pass a no smoking law so all bars would be on the same competive level as it was.I find it hard to believe that the land prices and land useages are the reason it is going out of business given all of the vacant office space in downtown Lincoln.If the place was packed with all of these nonsmokers why doesn't someone buy the place and make a fortune? I stopped going to P.O.'s when they would only have one bartender so as to create a wait and thus slow down consumption.The final nail in the coffin was the fact that you couln't get a "shot" during "last call".In short they were deciding for me how much I consummed which offended me an adult responsable for myself!
So when all of Lincoln's self-stlyed socialistic liberatrians have cededed over every business to the local bureaucrcies and you have taxed everyone to pay for the "do nothing" jobs you have created then be secure that you won't have to make any decisions for yoursleves because your paying someone else to think for you...good luck.

"

Ryan wrote on March 7, 2008 3:00 pm:

" I just want to meet one of those "socialist libertarians," because that's gotta be a heck of a confusing personality. Is that like jumbo shrimp? "

SCW wrote on March 7, 2008 3:14 pm:

" People who think that a 3rd Walmart will bring the death of every other retail business in town are seriously delusional.

Grand Island supports 2 SuperWalmarts, and they have 40-50K people. Certainly a community like Lincoln could support 5 or 6 if they were available. Having 3 or 4 Walmarts in Lincoln w