Audubon Riverside Neighborhood Association

There are two discussion postings on the Wal-Mart issue, ''Buy Local Baby'' and ''Speaking of New Developments.'' Vice President Della Graham and ARNA member Betsy Stout are really interested in this project. Please post your views either here or under the two other headings so the Board and the Planning & Zoning Committee can determine whether the membership wants to involve ARNA in this issue and to what extent. Thank you.

Free Enterprise

I kow this Wal Mart issue means alot to Dell and Betsy...and many others I know and respect. I understand some of you. But had the PRC and other groups come out pre-preservation and not ''anti-walmart'' I mnight have felt differently. All I have seen is a witch hunt by people claiming that out Magazine street antique shops and vintage clothes stores will be put out of business by wal-mart. Who are they kidding. The only businesses that will suffer are those who have overcharged and underserviced for years based on the fact that they were conveniently located.

WalMart may not be the best run and most ethical business on the country...but we are in America and we practice free enterprise and they have broken no laws.

And I never saw any of the opposed hanging out in the St. Thomas housing project when I was doing photography projects there in the 80's so I think the space will be in much better use.

And yes - I too hope that someday the Tchopitoulas corridor is a beauftiful river front esplanade like in Boston but let's face it...we are a port city and I would rather have businesses like wal mart then burned out housing projects or abandoned warehouses.

Don't fight the wal mart. It will have little affect on our neighborhood.