By Eugene Platt
Published in The Post and Courier

Recently the James Island Public Service District Commission (PSD) unanimously adopted a resolution putting us on record as opposing Wal-Mart’s proposed “supercenter” and urging it to be a “good neighbor.” As author of the resolution, it was my pleasure as well as my responsibility to personally deliver a copy to the store manager, a gentleman whom I respect as a fellow veteran and James Islander. We discussed the resolution and, in effect, agreed to disagree on its merits.

No responsible person I know seriously calls on Wal-Mart to pack up and move out. While some of us may have been happier if Wal-Mart had not located on our island in the first place, we accept the fact that it has become an integral part of our community. Interestingly, many outspoken opponents of the proposed “supercenter” are regular customers at the present store. What the PSD has done is join with all who simply urge the local Wal-Mart to be satisfied with what it has, not to be greedy, and just to be a “good neighbor.”

Speaking for myself (and not for the PSD), I would call on the city of Charleston to be a good neighbor, too. Its Department of Planning is out of control and needs to be reined in. The proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter became a real threat only after the planning department irresponsibly encouraged Wal-Mart to proceed with its plans.

At least two city council members, Kathleen Wilson and Timothy Mallard, are on record as being opposed to the Supercenter. Here’s hoping they can persuade city council to conduct a long-overdue public hearing on all aspects of their planning department.

EUGENE PLATT
Senior Commissioner
James Island Public Service District
Gilmore Court
Charleston