Mayor: Wal-Mart a consumer decision

Bloomberg offers some support for big-box retailer, but stresses that residents should choose, not pols

By Tom Wrobleski
Staten Island Advance
March 7, 2005

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and some of his Democratic rivals may now have something else to disagree on: The possibility of Wal-Mart stores on Staten Island.

Bloomberg yesterday said consumers, not government, should be allowed to decide who to buy from.

"I don't think you should have a City Council deciding one company versus another," he told reporters after marching in the borough's St. Patrick's Parade.

Sources have said Wal-Mart, the world's biggest retailer, is perhaps looking to build stores at two Island locations. The company backed off plans to build in Queens after meeting stiff community opposition.

While not specifically backing the Island proposals, Bloomberg said the absence of big-box stores like Wal-Mart in the city was driving residents to New Jersey and Long Island to shop.

"That's just taking jobs and sales tax revenues away from the city, and that's not good for the city," he said.

Three of Bloomberg's Democratic mayoral rivals, who also marched here yesterday, are opposed to Wal-Mart, citing concerns about the company's labor practices and fears that it puts mom-and-pop stores out of business.

"I think we too often worship at the altar of the mega-businesses and forget it's the neighborhood shop that's the lifeblood of boroughs like Staten Island," said Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn/Queens).

"Wal-Mart is an employer that's exploiting its workers," said City Council Speaker Gifford Miller (D-Manhattan). "That's not good business for anybody."

Former Bronx Borough President Ferrer faulted Wal-Mart for failing to offer adequate health benefits to its workers, a claim Wal-Mart denies.

"The reward for labor should be a living wage, and that includes health insurance," Ferrer said.

Borough President James Molinaro, a Wal-Mart backer who marched with Bloomberg yesterday, scoffed at the Democrats' remarks.

"None of them live here," Molinaro said. "None of their constituents will benefit. I don't care what they like or don't like."

Molinaro said many mom-and-pop businesses pay the same wages and benefits to their workers as Wal-Mart.

Sen. Charles Schumer, who also marched yesterday, said he was unaware of the Island proposals, but indicated he could potentially support Wal-Mart here.

"I don't think politicians should dictate one way or the other," said Schumer (D-N.Y.). "I generally follow the community, so I want to hear what the community has to say."