The following letter was sent by the Bel Air South Community Foundation to Harford County Executive Barry Glassman and his administration with a copy to State Delegates and Harford County Councilman Jim McMahan. A copy was provided to The Dagger for publication:
Mr. Glassman,
The citizens of Bel Air are totally supportive of your fair stance in enforcing our Adequate Public Facility Ordinance to a “T”. We have been informed by outside traffic engineers that Harford County has one of the more defined APFOs in Maryland. It is reassuring to know we have an excellent guideline to follow.
We are confident that you will continue to stand strong against the political pressure that Wal-Mart and it’s attorneys may bring. The citizens of Bel Air and the 1524 residents on our e-mail distribution have your back.
Below are a few of the many e-mails sent to the Wal-Mart leadership that express the sentiment of the citizens of Bel Air.
Thanks again for supporting our community,
Bel Air South Community Foundation
————————————————————-
Folks,
Many excellent e-mails were sent to the Wal-Mart leadership which is great, but when looking at the percentage of the 1524 on our e-mail distribution that sent e-mails, we can do much better. Though we are all opposed to a Plumtree store, the Wal-Mart leadership in Bentonville, Arkansas can’t hear your thoughts, it takes the written word.
An overwhelming response from us is needed if we hope to tip the scales.
If you have not sent and e-mail already, copy and paste the contacts below.
Send a sentence or whatever you can muster, but take a second and send something!
Doug.McMillon@walmart.com; Greg.Foran@walmart.com; Pam.Kohn@walmart.com; Nina.Albert@walmart.com; William.Wertz@walmart.com
Here are some writing points that you can incorporate into your e-mail if you choose.
Bullets for writing to Wal-Mart:
– Location is not suited for big box store
– Additional traffic will add to congestion and unsafe roads
– Safety of pedestrians and drivers
– Safety of school children from nearby schools
– Already have 3 stores within 10 miles or less
– Road improvements are not feasible
– Store will adversely affect the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community
– Sam Walton’s policy was “We will never build where we are not wanted.”
Send us an e-mail letting us know if you wrote to Wal-Mart so we can track our impact but do not cc us on your e-mail to Wal-Mart. It needs to come only from you, a concerned citizen.
Thanks,
BASCF
If there ever was a hope that Wal Mart would not think this is exactly their target customer base one has to look no farther that this….
“If you have not sent and e-mail already, copy and paste the contacts below.
Send a sentence or whatever you can muster, but take a second and send something!”
“AND” email? Christ on a cross you idiots are fricken clueless, you are walmarts very business foundation.
” Christ on a cross you idiots are fricken clueless, you are walmarts very business foundation.”
I too noticed the error but I assumed it to be an overlooked typo. The above, however, is an example of a thoughtless and sloppy approach to sentence structure. I would suggest creating two separate sentences. I won’t comment on your use of watered down vulgarity with a word whose definition can only be found in Urban Dictionary. And you might want to consider the sensibilities of an entire group of people before you commit a cavalier and disrespectful use of their Savior’s name. Luckily for you, they preach forgiveness rather than vengeance. I’m willing to attribute both of these offenses to an unfortunate stylistic choice. There is no accounting for taste. However, the failure to properly capitalize Walmart or use the appropriate possessive punctuation is an offense that clearly rises above that of a mere typing error. It would have been better for you to attack the writer’s argument if you had something to say. If I am to use your criteria, I expect you to be first in line on opening day.
You deserve praise and a thanks. Nothing more petty and pointless than attacking someone’s grammar or word choices and ignoring content in it’s entirety. It’s worth noting the rest of posters here who seem to support Walmart follow suit with such suggestions as: 1) What do you want a No-tell or adult book store, 2) K-Mart, 3) suggestions that those opposed fear people from Edgewood (perhaps implying they are racists), 4) being cowards, 5) not sure what “belching and farting” has to do with it but pretty sure it’s a slam directed at opposition voices and best of all, 6) the property will be seized by eminent domain and turned into a prison. These are the voices of the Walmart supporters and this is what is supposed to substitute for support and thoughtfulness for building this store. Grunting would be more impressive.
Write to each of these people today:
Gov. Larry Hogan
100 State Circle
Annapolis, Maryland
21401-1925
410-974-3901
1-800-811-8336
MD Relay 1-800-735-2258
Email: http://governor.maryland.gov/mail/ltdefault.asp
Bob Cassilly, Senator (District 34)
321 James Senate Office Building
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis MD Annapolis
Phone: 410.841.3158 or 1.800.492.7122 ext. 3158
Email: Bob.Cassilly@senate.state.md.us
Susan K. McComas, Delegate (District 34B)
319 House Office Building
6 Bladen St.
Annapolis MD Annapolis
Phone: 410.841.3272 | 301.858.3272 | or 1.800.492.7122 ext. 3272
Email: susan.mccomas@house.state.md.us
Local Office:
9 W Courtland Street Suite 100
Bel Air Md 21014
Phone: 410.836.9449 or 410.838.5187
Dear _____:
There are several compelling reasons against building this Bel Air Walmart that alone will cover 4.21 acres of space, or the size of 12.6 football fields, and will generate an additional 10,000 cars a day onto our already overburdened roads. This figure does not include parking nor take into consideration of the second large parcel of land behind the Walmart zoned for big business. Recently, the SHA reversed its decision to allow access to Emmorton Road and did not provide a reason for this change that cannot but cripple our roads even more than they are now.
As was stated by a traffic study hired by Harford County on Nov. 2013: “…The SHA reviewed and determined that a MD 924 access would not be granted for the development. The bases for the decision is that the County roadways provide ample opportunity for access to the local roadway network with appropriate improvements…While the developer may desire an access on MD 924 to improve marketability, the addition of a MD 924 access does not provide a substantial transportation benefit to the overall roadway network…the SHA does not support a MD 924 access or a traffic signal with Bright Oaks Drive.” (Joseph Caloggero, The Traffic Group, 11-25-13 to Alex Rawls, Harford County)”
No one seems to take ownership for this decision. Our County Executive, Barry Glassman, indicated to me in a letter that he was not in a position to mediate with the Maryland State Highway Administration’s decision that reversed its earlier decision to grant access to Emmorton Road for Walmart: “…The county is not in a position to grant, deny, confirm, or regulate state highway access….” (2 20, 2015.) That letter, to me, also would preclude the County Council as an avenue for help. It would, of course, be a waste of time to contact Walmart.
I feel, therefore, it would be incumbent on me, as citizens, to contact my state representatives who is in a position to help us redress the SHA’s decision to allow Walmart access to Emmorton Road. We will certainly experience a degradation of both our quality of life and a plunge of property values if this Walmart is allowed access to Emmorton Road.
Please write to me and indicate what specific steps you will take to reverse the latest SHA’s decision to allow Walmart access to Emmorton Road.
Yours truly,
Too much cut and paste from your previous letter and some grammar issues, but I do appreciate listing the names and email addresses so I can send a better letter expressing my support for the new Walmart and direct access to 924.
Thanks so much!
Where are the 3 stores within 10 miles?
I know there is falston and Aberdeen but where is the third?
The one in question – Constant Friendship.
I was under the impression that store would close when the new one opens leaving still just 3.
If the area isn’t suited for a big box store why is it zoned for one? Weren’t we hoping for a cabelas, bass pro or gander mountain?
Are they not big box stores?
What were we hoping for on this property? A no tell motel and adult book store?
At this point, I’m hoping Walmart pulls out and Kmart comes in.
How does Walmart jeopardize the safety of school children and pedestrians?
Is there some sort of safety study we didn’t get?
They’re afraid people from Edgewood will drive 3 miles further up Rt 24 to the new Walmart, realize they’re in a nice area, and commit crimes.
Because people would never drive past a Walmart to a nice area when they’re looking for trouble.
@Kharn – I actually live in a nice area of Edgewood and love my neighborhood, so no I don’t need to drive up 924 because frankly by the time I get to my destination I realize how congested it is, I’m glad I don’t live in Bel Air South. The traffic is horrendous and the place is cluttered. So you can keep that nonsense; and I prefer Target, Lowes/Home Depot and Wegmans anyway. Shop Rite/Wegmans and Jones Farms gets most of my grocery business and Amazon for everything else.
The trip alone back and forth on 24 or 924 during the evenings and/or mornings is a pain rear. Its really bad without Walmart so either way it still stinks. If a crime is committed at the new Walmart you can rest assured there will be no High Speed getaway! Your a real keyboard winner.
Anybody who thinks 24 and/or 924 is congested hasn’t ever driven on Rts. 3 and 46 in North Jersey leading in and out of Manhattan; that’s my definition of congested. 924 and 24 traffic is nothing compared to that.
“Send us an e-mail letting us know if you wrote to Wal-Mart so we can track our impact but do not cc us on your e-mail to Wal-Mart. It needs to come only from you, a concerned citizen.”
Oh your cowardice is showing through your mothers slip you are hiding behind.
Why so afraid of the truth?
BASCF I would love to send you a copy of the email I sent but you failed to include your email address in the article?
WTF?
Here is my email to Walmart.
Bullets for writing to Wal-Mart:
– This location is well suited for a big box store. The zoning is already in place.
– Additional traffic will add to the number of potential shoppers and no worry about congestion or unsafe roads.
– Safety of pedestrians and drivers. Up here we learned in Kindergarten to look both ways before we cross the street
– We feel our school children will be safe at your store as you stock the class list from nearby schools.
– Even though we already have 3 stores within 10 miles as the crow flies or less the small outdated store that is closing and being replaced with the larger store on 924 will make our lives better.
– The required road improvements are not feasible and we consider them over kill.
– The Store will not affect the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community
– Sam Walton’s policy was “We will never build where we are not wanted.” and we residents of Harford County look forward to your new and improved super sized store.
Just what we need on 924. More traffic, more stores, more crazies trying to save 5 cents on their TP. What a great idea!! We have a McDonalds, Burger King, Sonic in a 1 mile span (and Wendys right down the street). Where can we put a Jack n the box??? Maybe Walmart will have one.
Super idea Bel Air brain trust. MORE MORE MORE!!!!! KEEP BUILDING!!!! Keep packing people in!!!
6 thumbs up w 6 pro Walmart posts all separated by approx 4 minutes each. Sort of suspicious. You missed BillH.
– Location is not suited for big box store
— It’s zoned for it.
– Additional traffic will add to congestion and unsafe roads
— Then the county and state should make the roads safe.
– Safety of pedestrians and drivers
— Not Walmart’s fault you can’t drive
– Safety of school children from nearby schools
— Because bad people are drawn to Walmart like bugs to a lightbulb?
– Already have 3 stores within 10 miles or less
— One is closing.
– Road improvements are not feasible
— Anything is possible in civil engineering given enough money, and Walmart has money.
– Store will adversely affect the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community
— I didn’t know Walmart was the nexus for typhoid in Harford County.
– Sam Walton’s policy was “We will never build where we are not wanted.”
— And I want them there, Constant Friendship sucks from an accessibility standpoint.
Going to reply to this, since it’s basically the only sensible posting of the bunch.
– Location is not suited for big box store
– It’s zoned for it.
True. The county zoning code, and zoning system, SUCKS. Now it sucks mostly because John Q Public has allowed it to suck, but it does. The fact that it is legal to build the store is a different issue than it should be built. It shouldn’t, because the zoning sucks. There are numerous changes that should be made to our zoning and APF codes. If this were a regular shopping center made up of 5 small stores, or even two larger stores (say, Pet Smart and HHGregg for example) I wouldn’t even have paid any attention. A super sized department store WITH groceries is a major traffic generator. Code allows it (sort of, I mean after all they have asked for exceptions on the parking requirements, among others), but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. Can people keep them from building? No. Should they try to stop them? Yes.
– Additional traffic will add to congestion and unsafe roads
– Then the county and state should make the roads safe.
Which could be said of almost everywhere in the Development Envelope. But are you prepared for the tax bill? You see, that’s the game local government has been playing for years: let the development pay for the infrastructure so we don’t have to bill taxpayers for it– which sounds good until you realize the developers have been taking the tax payers to the cleaners for decades. Our roads suck cause government doesn’t hold the developers accountable and is too afraid to raise taxes to fix everything.
– Safety of pedestrians and drivers
– Not Walmart’s fault you can’t drive
Oversimplification. Unavoidable fact= more congestion = more incidents. In this case it’s one of the largest increases in traffic in this area in a very long time. That’s worth taking a close look at, especially when their mitigation plans seem insufficient.
– Safety of school children from nearby schools
– Because bad people are drawn to Walmart like bugs to a lightbulb?
Silly. Schools create pedestrian traffic, mixed with higher road traffic means greater risk of incidents. I’ve always thought this was a weak argument, but they keep trying to make it.
– Already have 3 stores within 10 miles or less
– One is closing.
Yep. I have no idea why they keep arguing this point. It’s disingenuous and stupid.
– Road improvements are not feasible
– Anything is possible in civil engineering given enough money, and Walmart has money.
Yes, but up to now they have shown ZERO inclination to spend it. They are complaining about doing what is REQUIRED by the county. That’s not even counting numerous other things they could do to ease pedestrian and road traffic and have refused to even consider them.
Also, it has already been stated publicly by our Planning and Zoning office that a traffic light at Blue Spruce and Bel Air South was not feasible in 2009, yet that’s Walmart’s plan for it? With the volume, a round a bout may not work either. Traffic will be car to car from 24 to 924.
Anyone who think a BAS Walmart will be more accessible than the one in CF is going to bitterly disappointed in 5 years (from opening).
If you’ve ever been involved in a large construction project, there’s one thing you’ll notice immediately: Nobody will spend a penny they’re not forced to. The owner and the builder will try to push every single cost off on the taxpayers or avoid the cost entirely. Walmart is playing the game just like every other large enterprise. If the county and state tell them they must pay for the intersections, access and large parking lot, they eventually will, but they’ll grumble and appeal every step of the way. For them, $50k spent on lawyers and engineers to potentially avoid $500k in road construction is a worthwhile gamble.
Towson makes a 2-lane round-about work, it seems to handle a ton of traffic whenever I’m there. Maybe something similar should go in at Bel Air South Parkway and Blue Spruce Dr.
I don’t agree with kharn often, but when I do, I have to admit it.
Exactly the problem. And I mean, the truth is, all those people hired, the lawyers and planners, etc, they have a responsibility to do the best job possible for their client.
Problem is the citizenry is not paying attention, and when all the pressure comes from one side, the easy thing to do is give into it.
The Walmart case is interesting in that respect. This time there is pressure on both sides. Planning and Zoning is in a tough spot on this one. The moral of the story that I hope is passed down here, is that if people pay attention to what’s happening, and get involved, their government will work for them, and when that happens, good things happen.
If that had been happening before, the zoning never would have been changed and we wouldn’t even be talking about it now.
I don’t often agree with Kharn, but when I do, I have to admit it.
I’m not sure there’s enough right of way at that intersection for a 2-lane version, though.
People from Dundalk who think they’ve “made it” in life have been moving up to the Bel Air area for over twenty years. Moving to the place where you think all of the uppity white folks live doesn’t make you one of them. You can take the Dundalkian out of Dundalk but you can’t take him out of the WalMart.
On March 18th, my Homeowners Association held its annual general meeting. Our special guest was Steve Tobia (steven.j.tobia@verizon.com )who represented the Bel Air South Community Foundation Walmart Development.
Some of the points he made against this big box store that will be 45.000 sq. ft. larger than the Harford Mall and will generate an additional 18,000 cars a day onto our roads were:
• “Location is not suited for big box store,
• Additional traffic will add to congestion and unsafe roads,
• Safety of pedestrians and drivers,
• Safety of school children from nearby schools,
• Environmental concerns,
• Already have three stores within 10 miles or less,
• Road improvements are not feasible,
• Store will adversely affect the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community,
• Will jeopardize the lives and property of people living in the neighborhood.”
• Allow overnight parking of out of town campers and truckers.
• This does not even take into consideration of the second large parcel of land behind the Walmart zoned for big business.
At this meeting, the board of directors stated that they will not be taking on this issue. Likewise, our County Executive, Barry Glassman, indicated to me in a letter that he was not in a position to mediate with the Maryland State Highway Administration’s decision that reversed its earlier decision to grant access to Emmorton Road for Walmart: “…The county is not in a position to grant, deny, confirm, or regulate state highway access….” (2 20, 2015.) That letter, to me, would preclude the County Council as an avenue for help. I also feel communicating with Walmart is a waste of time.
I feel, therefore, it would be incumbent on us, as citizens, to contact our state representatives who are in a position to help us redress the SHA’s decision to allow Walmart access to Emmorton Road. We will certainly experience a degradation of both our quality of life and a plunge of property values if this Walmart is allowed access to Emmorton Road.
Gary Ambridge (410-879-6618)
1602 Waterbury Ct.
Gov. Larry Hogan
100 State Circle
Annapolis, Maryland
21401-1925
410-974-3901
1-800-811-8336
MD Relay 1-800-735-2258
Email: http://governor.maryland.gov/mail/ltdefault.asp
Bob Cassilly, Senator (District 34)
321 James Senate Office Building
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis MD Annapolis
Phone: 410.841.3158 or 1.800.492.7122 ext. 3158
Email: Bob.Cassilly@senate.state.md.us
Susan K. McComas, Delegate (District 34B)
319 House Office Building
6 Bladen St.
Annapolis MD Annapolis
Phone: 410.841.3272 | 301.858.3272 | or 1.800.492.7122 ext. 3272
Email: susan.mccomas@house.state.md.us
Local Office:
9 W Courtland Street Suite 100
Bel Air Md 21014
Phone: 410.836.9449 or 410.838.5187
I certainly hope this is someone who posted as Gary meaning to make him look grossly uninformed because the numbers used:
Wal Mart will be 45,000 sq ft larger than Harford mall is ridiculous along with the claim of 18,000 cars a day.
Whom ever did this slanderous piece using his name should be ashamed of them self for making poor Gary out to be a factless crazy NIMBY.
45,000 square feet more then the Harford Mall? Where the heck did you get that number? That is an obvious error.
18,000 more cars, seriously?
I parked in Walmarts all across the country while traveling through. I think it’s a nice gesture toward their customers.
The rest of the complaints can all be summed up in a one line statement: Fear mongering.
I guess the environment wasn’t a concern when they built your house?
Well, thanks for your post Gary. I’ll call the phone numbers you listed in support of Walmart!
Harford Mall has 505k sqft of retail space.
The largest Walmart Supercenter is 260k sqft.
So they’re going to build a Walmart twice as big as any other one in the world?
Don’t really know the context of that number but there’s a world of difference between a comma and a period. 45.000 is quit different than 45,000.
True, but then that would make Gary’s comment read the new Wal Mart would be 505,045 sf of retail space. Still a ludicrous number!
The 18,000 cars a day figure should have been 10,000 cars a day (“Company officials said at a July community input meeting that the store could generate up to 10,000 vehicle trips per day.”)
“The proposed Walmart site and potential build-out occurs on a property located between MD24 and MD924 that is bordered by Plumtree Road to the north and Bel Air South Parkway to the south. The development consists of an 189,564 sf Walmart Retail Store, 4,880 sf convenience market with gas pumps, two 8,000 sf high turnover sit down restaurant, two 8,000 sf quality restaurants, and 4,500 sf retail space. Walmart proposes access via one full movement entrance on MD 924 opposite Bright Oaks Drive, one full movement access on Plumtree Road (a County roadway) and one full movement access on Blue Spruce Drive (a County roadway).” Rich Zeller – State Highway Administration (SHA)
If I am mistaken, then I stand corrected. But by any measure this Super store will greatly degrade an infrastructure that is already beyond capacity. Moreover, may I suggest that unless YOU live here and will suffer from this super Walmart, I would ask you to keep your pro-congestion opinions to yourself?
A careful reading of my letter should have shown that my complaint was not about Walmart per say as that will be built, but rather about access to Emmorton Road. As was stated by a traffic study hired by Harford County on Nov. 2013: “…The SHA reviewed and determined that a MD 924 access would not be granted for the development. The bases for the decision is that the County roadways provide ample opportunity for access to the local roadway network with appropriate improvements…While the developer may desire an access on MD 924 to improve marketability, the addition of a MD 924 access does not provide a substantial transportation benefit to the overall roadway network…the SHA does not support a MD 924 access or a traffic signal with Bright Oaks Drive.” (Joseph Caloggero, The Traffic Group, 11-25-13 to Alex Rawls )
Rather than quibble about red-herring details, what should concern local citizens is that the SHA changed its mind about access to MD 924 with nary a word of explanation. Since the traffic along this corridor is horrendous, and we live here, I would like an explanation. Wouldn’t you?
Well now we have taken the size of the walmart from over 1/2 million square feet to it’s actual size of 186,000 square feet and the revised traffic numbers are at absolute peak it could be 8800 trips/day which translates into 4400 cars entering over a 24 hour period. Well it looks as if we have solved all Garys issues by doing nothing more than sticking with the facts.
So Gary can Wal Mart count on your support now?
Does this mean we are all in agreement that Walmart should stop complaining in the Aegis and to local government about fulfilling its traffic abatement requirements and go ahead with the build out with the public support that comes with it?
That would be a great way to have this conversation come to a conclusion.
Well Linda I don’t know how you do math but 10,000 cars a day is more than 4400 cars. Did you miss. “The development consists of an 189,564 sf Walmart Retail Store, 4,880 sf convenience market with gas pumps, two 8,000 sf high turnover sit down restaurant, two 8,000 sf quality restaurants, and 4,500 sf retail space.”? Is that 186,000? And even 4400 a day is more than these roads can bear. I assume you don’t live here, or are a shill for Walmart, or can’t think.
l would suggest you and any one else interested read the article published by the Sunpapers on 3-17-15 written by Bryna Zumer. It seems to contain all the factual information you lack. The 10000 car number was dismissed long ago as being grossly inaccurate Gary. The article also clearly states the square footage as a mere fraction of the size of Harford Mall as you claim.
I would supply a direct link but the Dagger moderates such items.
The 10,000 cars a day figure was from Walmart Linda. Let’s put this store in perspective; it is 4.21 acres or the size of 12.6 football fields. But that is not my point nor is the traffic it will generate which does not seem to register.
But again Linda, you’re completely missing my post either because you refuse to or have not-read my post. Since it seems to be too difficult, I will repeat it: “A careful reading of my letter should have shown that my complaint was not about Walmart per say as that will be built, but rather about access to Emmorton Road. As was stated by a traffic study hired by Harford County on Nov. 2013: “…The SHA reviewed and determined that a MD 924 access would not be granted for the development. The bases for the decision is that the County roadways provide ample opportunity for access to the local roadway network with appropriate improvements…While the developer may desire an access on MD 924 to improve marketability, the addition of a MD 924 access does not provide a substantial transportation benefit to the overall roadway network…the SHA does not support a MD 924 access or a traffic signal with Bright Oaks Drive.” (Joseph Caloggero, The Traffic Group, 11-25-13 to Alex Rawls )”
Now does that clear things up for you?
Gary if I might help you clear this up because Linda has some sort of reading issues.
Linda, Gary doesn’t care it’s a walmart. Gary doesn’t care about the number of cars. Gary doesn’t care the size of buildings, Gary doesn’t care about any of Steve Tobias issues. What Gary cares about is the SHA is allowing a right in and right out access to 924 to a piece of property and it is going to cause his house value to “plunge”.
Now Linda If you require more information I would suggest contacting Gary directly and he can supply you with endless amounts of technical information and expert appraisals on the effects of right in right out access to state roads on surrounding property values and the “plunge” effect they cause.
I’m, with you on this Gary, I wouldn’t want one of those road access’s within a 100 miles of my house, I hear they built one in Detroit and look what it did.
Bob now that you mention it I remember the days before they put the right turn into the McDonalds at plumbtree everyone living in Bright Oaks was either a DuPont or a Rockefeller.
“Moreover, may I suggest that unless YOU live here and will suffer from this super Walmart, I would ask you to keep your pro-congestion opinions to yourself?”
That’s right, shame on all of you people with your own opinions! You MUST get permission from Gary before expressing them!
HAVE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR?
Your opinions mean squat if this store has no consequences for you, otherwise you’re just shooting off your mouth.
The Garmeister quotes the traffic study: “While the developer may desire an access on MD 924 to improve marketability, the addition of a MD 924 access does not provide a substantial transportation benefit to the overall roadway network.” Good point, G-Man… no, wait, it doesn’t say that it would have any negative effects on traffic at all, and it could possibly help to some degree. Actually, this doesn’t help your case at all!
Oops – I forgot: If you want to point out the ridiculous and erroneous nature of Gary’s posts and his lack of logic in dismissing all who dare to oppose him, you MUST get permission from Gary.
HAVE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR?
To all you silly folks belching and farting about Walmart remember it could always be a worse scenario. Have you all ever heard of eminent domain? They could always put in a prison. How bout that for your property values. Walmart is coming. You can’t stop it and most of you will end up being Walmart regular shoppers.
Please close the Fallston & Constant Friendship Shitmart and reopen a new Shitmart at the intersection of Joppa Farm Rd and RT40.
Because the Fallston and Bel Air residents are too good for WalMart and the scumbags down on Rte 40 would just eat that shit up right? Go fuck yourself Counter Offer.
Redner’s lease prevents a grocery store such as Walmart from operating in that location.
Walmart wants to dominate Bel Air. It will do so. The only question that is being debated is to what extent traffic mitigation will be paid for by Walmart and what share will be foisted upon the taxpayers.
Walmart will only dominate Belair if the people of Belair shop there. The numbers for the Fallston store are far under expectations and we can hope that when/if the Belair store moves in that you can convince 5-10% of shoppers to avoid that place like the plague. Walmart relies upon high volume, low margin – 5-10% of expected shoppers is all you need to bleed the store of any profit.
The workers of Walmart need to unionize and that store will close within 24 hours.
While I agree with you that Walmart’s current business model would have problems supporting the competitive wages and working conditions that would come with a unionized workforce, Walmart would never allow a vote to unionize to ever occur. Anyone attempting to organize at one of its stores would be immediately fired “for cause”. That is the nature of predatory, but legal, business practices.
Money Tree you are misinformed. The Fallston store actually does meet all its goals and management is extremely happy with the numbers it produces. What never did happen is the traffic congestion and bad neighborhood claims. Which management is confident will carry over to the new Plumbtree store. Sorry your gloom and doom predictions didn’t come true and for the most part never do when a new store is constructed.
Money tree it is Bel Air and not Belair you dumbass. Do you even live in Harford county?
When it comes to douchbag posts Money Tree does take first place.
Sounds NIMBY to me. You just don’t want Walmart in your backyard!
I agree, I think a Mercedes dealership, a Flemings and a Whole Foods would do much better.
I was thinking an Amazon distribution hub!
Because Amazon is much better for the economy than Walmart.
With the profit margin of 3%-3-1/2% Walmart is almost 3X as profitable as Amazon at 1%.
It may be a better deal for the consumer but Amazon will destroy almost every secondary supplier of products. What happened with books and music will soon happen with plumbing, electrical, food, and many other industries. Many of these industries pay far from excellent salaries now. When the dust settles there won’t be many left standing in the wake of Amazon. As consumers continue looking to save money the cost will be the jobs of their neighbors and friends. No business can survive on 1% profit and if not for the shareholders of Amazon stock it would be bust too. What Walmart hasn’t destroyed, Amazon will soon finish off.
Amazon would only be a distribution hub, not a storefront with drive-up customers. It has the potential to create hundreds of jobs, and with drones — NO VEHICLES ON THE ROADWAYS!
Oh wait, then the Bel Air South Community will whine about drones overhead watching them pee in their pool or sunbath nude on their living room floor.
DAMMIT! CAN’T WIN!
Trader Joe’s!!
I don’t remember the same type of opposition the the Wegman’s that went in to the already congested Constant Friendship area. Wegman’s = Hip and Walmart = shit in the minds of the Bel Air snobs.
That’s because, technically, the Wegman’s is in Abingdon – not Belllairre (you have to say “Bel Air” with a European accent, and your nose pointed towards the air).
The difference being that they actually tried to improve the flow of traffic with that fancy bridge contraption thing over Tollgate to alleviate traffic in / around Wegman’s. Then again, Wegman’s does not sit as close to a high-density residential area like the Plumtree Walmart would.
They want to build a Super Walmart to “compete” with the various grocery stores – sorry, but have you seen the food at Walmart? The Aberdeen store alone would be enough to turn anyone off…I am sure everyone loves old people coughing freely as they prepare the “fresh” food.
The “fresh fruit” looks as if it has been dropped off the truck a few dozen times…
Then you have the general atmosphere of a Walmart. You don’t see a website called, “People of Wegmans” do you? LOL
The grocery stores in Edgewood look the same as the Aberdeen Walmart. It’s the market, not the business.
There was no community organization to oppose it. There were people opposed, but they weren’t organized. They had no voice.
The biggest opposition was from the apartment complex down the street, not many divorced dads can afford to shop at Wegmans after paying their child support…
So divorced dads shouldn’t pay child support? Talk about walking away from one’s responsibility
Oh, because we all know what fair treatment is for men during a divorce.
More a commentary on how expensive Wegmans is.
Wegman’s is cheaper than Giant, SuperFresh and Mars – all competing grocery stores in the immediate area.
If they cannot afford Wegman’s, where do they shop?
Aldi, I suppose…but then you take your life in your hands.
I like the Giant better.
For anyone who doesn’t understand exactly what can be built on this property other than a walmart here is the list.
http://www.friendsofharford.com/czr/business.pdf
I’m personally hoping if walmart doesn’t work out we could get a combination complex made up of a night club, tattoo parlor, indoor gun range, truck stop, motel, adult book store, liquor store and bus depot.
It would be awesome compared to a boring walmart.
I like to just post nonsense on here and sound intelligent….I’m really a moron.
Should have been a huge public park, with a botanical section, and large rec center component with basketball courts, tennis courts, running trails, statues, bridges over ponds, bandshell for outdoor concerts, etc
A hugh public park, what a wonderful idea how about you contact the estate of Hal Dayhan and pitch the idea, Let us all know how hard they laugh at you…. 😉
We could use eminent domain.
No Keith, eminent domain could not be used, but as usual with your responses you are clueless of the facts but always more than willing to prove it beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Why not, oh master of eminent domain?
No surprise you have no clue why it wouldn’t work.
Oh dear Bob, you are truly my most favorite hayseed quisling of the bunch.
Don’t fret. We will get our Walmart and our endless supply of Chinese manufactured consumer goods.
We are only discussing who gets to pay for the lions-share of the bill for Walmart’s traffic mitigation issue.
Go Wal-Mart, hopefully a Sam’s Club is next, I’m for anything that sticks it up the “Wannabe Uppity white folks”, butt. I hope the last remaining farmers sell out to big developers and built more houses, shopping centers, home depots, lowes, wal-marts, etc. Love it, keep building.
Unfortunately, if you live close enough to where the new Walmart will be built, you probably should have done more research before settling down.
I’m looking out the window of my house into the dense woods of Rock State Park and a farm that is in Preservation Trust.
The property is zoned for Walmart and they have every right to build there. I already called the numbers Gary posted in support of Walmart. It’s one stop shopping, and I don’t have to drive to Fallston anymore.
Hey the fallston store is pretty nice, when I get a few years older I might just look into moving to Fallston Commons, Man those are some real fancy houses
Nothing better than a crumbling Shitmart parking lot for a back yard.
It is a great overnight parking lot for mobile homes, and tractor trailers and other transients.
More power to you Steve and congrats on thinking ahead. Since solar farms are an exemption allowed for preservation protected property I expect you’ll be very supportive when you look out at your previously pastural view and it’s now acres and acres of big, black, plastic, shiny squares that flash-fry songbirds. Should the people that live in the affected neighborhoods of the Walmart tell you to go pound sand when that happens? Bottom line is smugness towards our fellow citizen’s concerns about their neighborhoods is only evidence of disdain for your fellow citizens and seems so misplaced to me – reading most of these responses it’s very clear pro-Walmart really isn’t about supporting Walmart but hating your neighbors – calling people hillbillies and ignorant for nothing other than caring about the streets where they live. When they put in the solar farm I’ll be just as concerned about the plight of you and your neighbors as I am about Emmorton Rd. “As long as it’s not me” is a symptom of a greater problem in this county, indeed in the country.
What the hell you smoking, nothing but a bunch of ignorant F’s and wannabes, in Edgewood North, AKA Bel air, Fallston, Forrest Hill, Jarrettsville. I hoping and praying that Hellhole Harford County continues to go south, I hope property values sink like a lead weight.
Don’t worry Steve Jacobs, enough Money and that “preservation” will be preserving single family homes.
“No, they can’t.”
All it takes is money, time and the right words.
It’s kind of funny, but I just signed a contract with Solar City. They’re being installed on my house and two other buildings. So, I really don’t have a problem with how they look.
I’ve lived here for 30 years and it still looks the same. The family that owns the property have multiple generations that live on and around the farm. So, I don’t think they’re gonna trash the ‘look’ out their own back yards.
In ten years we’re moving south. But rest assured it won’t be near a Walmart! I’ll make sure to do the research ahead of time…….like I’ve done in the past.
Swing….and a miss Nimbys
Solar City.. LOL that said it.
Hopefully you can find a buyer that wants to inherit that.
Yeah. You got it all figured it out though, right? You’re an e-expert like the best of em’. Self proclaimed knows it all? Mmhm.
Hey, hit “reply” and tell me more about what you don’t know. I “really care.”
Show me “what’s up.”
Not that you would have a clue but next time you see a company installing panels ask them how many they put on houses immediately before they are listed for sale.. Your ignorance on the matter would be shocked.
In ten years, when we move, we’ll buy out the SC contract.
The panels will provide 85% of our electrical needs.
Whoever buys my house will basically have free electric.
How’s that? Quite a selling perk, wouldn’t you say?
Mr Jacobs, its all too good to be true, right?
They will cover panels for at least 50 percent electric use and act like a second utility to sell to you.
escalator annual percentages? Do you ever for see BGE rates going up the same rate in 20 year lease
You pay for however much the system generates.
The power generated goes to back to the electric company.
Thank you for your recent email regarding our Bel Air proposal. We welcome community input as we plan new stores in Maryland.
As we explored options for a store that would meet the shopping needs of our customers in the area, we concluded that expanding our Abingdon store was not a reasonable option. For many reasons, we believe that a new store in Bel Air is the best alternative, and we are pleased with the broad community support this proposal has received.
We are currently engaged with the county on the development details of this project, including those that relate to traffic. That process has involved input from many in the community, including those who share your concerns. We have made a commitment to fund significant road improvements to ensure that traffic movements and conditions are safe and improved. We are hopeful to move ahead soon and we know that many in the Bel Air and Abingdon areas are looking forward to the jobs and shopping options that our new store will bring.
Respectfully,
Nina Albert
Director, Public Affairs and Government Relations
Phone (202) 434-0716 / Cell (202) 841-9610
Email: nina.albert@walmart.com
Walmart
701 8th Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20001
Save Money. Live Better.
http://www.walmart.com
SC is charging me 2 cents less then BGE is now and will remain at that price for 20 years….no increases. I pay for what I use, around 85% will be at the SC rate.
It’s hard to believe but true. I have several friends that are thrilled with SC. How can you not be?
If someone showed up to your door and said “we are a new utility company, we can provide power 50-80 percent cheaper than what you are paying now, all you have to do is sign this 20 year contract and promise to pay a minimum monthly fee” would you? Obviously, yes.
Not for me.
“Buy out” your contact? For how much? Fair market value?
Not everyone is a risk taker, that’s why there are wealthy and poor people.
Solar City is owned by Elon Musk…SpaceX, Tesla…..ever heard of them?
Whether someone has heard/Not Heard of tbose name’s, and so? Are we supposed to be impressed?
Ever heard of McDonald’s? Wow, weird, isn’t it?
What else would you like to talk about? Don’t forget to tell all your friends that have an ugly array of third worldesque solar panels bolted on their roof how stupid everyone here is, and how great you are.
Enjoy eating a turd, man.
Ever heard of Enron, WorldCom? Hyuck, hyuck. Gomer