? People who care about the future of our community will move forward with grace.
A new economic era began last Wednes?day with the grand opening of the Wal-Mart Neigh?bor?hood Market in Hillsboro Heights. Few topics have generated more speculation and conversation over the past 12 months than the ?mystery business? that simultaneously generated fears and cheers when its identity was finally confirmed in September.
Yes, the issue could have been handled with more candor than city leaders exercised. But we are in the post-Wal-Mart era now; our focus should be on moving forward as a community. For every person who believed the arrival of Wal-Mart sounded a death knell for the local economy was a person who welcomed the news as a godsend. Some people signed a petition never to patronize the store; others patronized it as soon as the doors were opened.
Here?s the point: People who care about the future of our community will move forward with grace. Neither supporters nor boycotters should be judged for their response. Instead, let?s support local businesses wholeheartedly and whenever possible, according to our convictions. Every dollar spent at home will help ensure our present and future prosperity. ?DR
