Part of the job of our elected public officials is to represent the people of Plaquemines Parish. Without the input of the people of our community, they have moved forward and even approved the concept of building a Wal-Mart in the center of north Plaquemines. This retail complex will be placed exactly where the worse traffic issues, which are considerable, are now. The people were not made aware of the Belle Chasse Village Shopping Center concept until options for the land were already approved and the real estate developer - who has no investment in the well being of the Parish, was well into planning and getting approval for the project. The project has already been presented at the Plaquemines Association of Business and Industry board meeting and also at the Plaquemines Parish Economic Development board meeting - without input from the community. President Billy Nungessor seems to approve the project. We feel that this project is in direct conflict with what we, the citizens, want for the future of our parish. It will destroy several local owned businesses that have flourished for decades here and supplied jobs and personal customer service to the people of our area. The loss of Balestra's Grocery would be a huge example. Florists, pharmacies, small retail stores, car care centers, and more would suffer damage that would most likely result in the loss of these family businesses. Wal-Mart is infamous for the low wage/minimum wage part time jobs that replace those jobs held in local owned businesses that it crushes in its development. Jeffrey Moore, the founder of Realm Realty (and not a resident of Plaquemines) who is developing the property must realize that the project will not be supported by the community and that we will take every chance to picket and protest the building of this project. In turn he should make Wal-Mart aware of this situation as they move forward. President Nungessor will be made aware of the way that we as a community feel about this project and our intention to stop it's development. As our parish president it is his job to hear and act on the views of those who elected him and do what is in the best interest for our community. Wal-Mart is not in our best interest. The survival of many family and local owned businesses hang in the balance with this decision - the small town community atmosphere that we know and love is in serious jeopardy. Large retail stores such as this have proven to bring in an influx of crime into areas. Traffic issues have not been addressed properly, a short service road along Hwy 23 will not fix this concern.

We, the people of Plaquemines and those who hold the best interest of the parish and it's people to the highest regard demand to have a say in the development of such a property. We do not want Wal-Mart in Belle Chasse and will make that fact known in every way that we can - in large numbers.

We should have been made aware of these plans long before now as they have been in negotiation and development for over two years. This type pf disregard for the people of the parish will not be tolerated. Copies of this petition will be sent to Wal-Mart, Jeffrey Moore, President Nungessor, our council, the media and many others.

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