From Deseret News archives:

Wal-Mart foes say official biased

Published: Thursday, Feb. 10, 2005 9:37 p.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
After suffering a blow Wednesday to their campaign to stop Wal-Mart from coming to Centerville, opponents of the retail giant are crying foul.

One member of the Board of Adjustments is "biased," they say — and influenced the outcome of a hearing Wednesday designed to stall construction of the big-box store.

"We certainly feel it would have been highly ethical and fair if (board member) John Eriksson had stepped down (Wednesday) night," said David Putnam Jr., leader of a community opposition group. "We're very disappointed with Wal-Mart and city officials about that."

Ericksson, chairman of the Board of Adjustments, works for a law firm that has represented Wal-Mart in cases against opposition groups. At Wednesday's meeting, he disclosed that conflict but said he was confident he could consider the appeal of Putnam and other members of the South Davis Regional Community Foundation.

Members of the Board of Adjustments voted unanimously to deny a request by the foundation that they remand portions of a conditional-use permit granted to the retailer in December by the city planning commission.

The appeal was the last opportunity for opponents to work with the city to halt construction of the 200,000-square-foot Supercenter, planned for 400 West and Parrish Lane.

Story continues below
Now, court is the only option — something Putnam says the group is considering.

"I'm like a bulldog," he said. "We're going to continue fighting this."


E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

previousnext

Latest comments

Cheering for Utah or TCU isn't the point...the point is, Doug Robinson is one...

Aggies gotta be careful going to play Utah. Just because Idaho beat Utah...

Stop talking your trash, Utes. You are the fans who this year keep using:...

Bingham deserved to win that game. Alta could have played better for sure....

GameDay in Fort Worth

No. We only define trolls as the Cougar fans that come on here only for the...

Mathis, Its's Dave Mathews dude! Who are these guys? Where do they find...

Homeland Security was the biggest waste of tax payers's money. My heart...

2A: Broncos vs. Wildcats

why dont you have some class

They didn't make finals :(

No. 22 BYU holds off pesky Lobos

If BYU would have lost this one, it would have been almost as bad as being...

Advertisements
Advertisement