It was encouraging to attend the July 26 informational meeting about the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter in the field beside Blue Seal Feeds off of Stillwater Avenue. Not because the possibility exists that the third superstore (5-acre building footprint), within a 20-mile radius of Bangor may be built there; or that the proposed plan may very well cross all t’s and dot all I’s with respect to protecting the Penjajawoc Marsh (as it rightfully should).

The meeting was encouraging because of the broad spectrum of questions asked by more than 30, very energized, interested “locals,” i.e., members of the Greater Bangor community. What will happen to the current Bangor Wal-Mart building? What will the environmental impacts be of paving a lot large enough for 1,100 vehicles? How will the increased traffic be handled?

Many questions focused on the superstore’s effect on the local economy: What will happen to the surrounding stores, both big and small? How will their sale of groceries, especially produce, affect local farmers? How will Wal-Mart respond to Bangor’s resolution to support the sale of non-sweatshop made clothing? What will be done about health insurance and fair wages?

The Wal-Mart representatives present were not authorized to address these issues. Hopefully people in the community will be present at future public meetings regarding the proposed development and will raise these questions again.

Suzanne Kelly

Bangor