Boycott Walmart. The Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce pushes “buy local.” Even if Walmart hires 500 people, 400 will be part-time. How long before those 500 jobs are offset with business closures?

The 15,000 population of Astoria and Warrenton doesn’t need another big box store. Drive to Longview, Washington, if you really need Walmart. I’d like to see Trader Joe’s in the local market, but I’ve been told they need 100,000 population for the numbers to crunch.

Nobody can compete with the buying power of Walmart. Aren’t Costco, Fred Meyer, and Safeway enough big guys?

I, for one, will never walk through the doors of Walmart. Please citizens, unite behind a cause. Let them spend the money to build it — if you don’t come, it will fail. Maybe in a year, corporate will pull the plug.

I know for families of four plus, it’s hard to not shop and realize the cost savings. I’m a single guy, and that cost savings is minimal. Families of three to four, you can make it work. You have neighbors employed by the target employers, don’t disrupt their lives.

I hope Walmart can’t find employees. Enough said.

Dugan Jennings

Warrenton