In an effort to reverse the “big-box” ban ordinance decision made by the City Council, Long Beach Consumers for Choice, led by Wal-Mart and the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, has launched a website explaining its case. The website, www.longbeachconsumers4choice.com, claims that the ban is unfair to businesses and citizens of the city, and deliberately discriminates against Super Targets and Wal-Mart Supercenters. The website’s main purpose is to secure support and gather public opinion through a survey.
The attempt to reverse a City Council decision through public opinion aims to lift a law prohibiting Supercenter Wal-Marts and other centers over 100,000 square feet from being built in Long Beach.
The Council decided not to place the issue on the February 2008 ballot a few weeks ago. A final discussion on whether or not the issue will go before the voters will be decided by the council on November 6.
Disclaimer: Shaun Lumachi, Co-Publisher of the lbpost.com, is on contract with the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce as its government affairs advisor.