A Town This Size

Published in Tulare County's Foothills Sun-Gazette August 21, 2013

     "I just can't see why, in a town this size, we can't have a democracy..." I told a friend last week.  I meant it positively:  I think, in a town the size of Lindsay, or Exeter, Farmersville, or Woodlake for that matter, we can.  In fact, towns this size may be the only places where real democracy has a chance:  a government of, by, and for the people, a government that responds to its residents and operates on their behalf.

     In towns the size of Porterville, Tulare and Visalia, because of the fortunes to be made, we expect democracy to have a harder time competing with the economic values of rich people.  We expect democracy to be twisted to meet their needs.  We expect democracy to be just a form we maintain to keep a shred of self-respect.  And we don't expect to have much impact standing before their city councils when we are trespassed against by their decisions.

     "This is a perfect-sized town," said a new friend Sunday over coffee and cookies after church.  "You can get to know people here," he mused, and though it's not as easy as it looks, it's true.  With a role that provides interaction with folks, you can get to know lots of people here.  You can even learn new languages, exchanging words with new friends.

     In a town this size there's an opportunity to build a business based on the loyalty of friends and family, or get a job in one.  There are opportunities to join with others to form clubs or organizations to meet observed needs, to join churches in the search for strengthening faith and the chance to sing.

     But there are also opportunities for big fish to come in, do a belly flop into the little pond and splash out all the water.  Goodbye, smaller fish.  Goodbye (eventually), big fish.  Hello, mud hole.

     And that's why I'm against Dollar General coming to the edge of downtown, its tail swacking Miguel Chavez's family business out to the south edge where they may or may not survive (especially considering the costs of this move.)  If they would take over the empty Lindsay Foods site, where the visibility would draw people from Strathmore and the countryside, or fill one of the existing empty buildings downtown, with display windows attracting passersby on evening strolls, I'd reconsider.  If they'd act like a neighbor, participate in the Chamber, hire locally and circulate their profits through the community, we might have something worth approving.  But they won't.

    Dollar General ranked fourth-worst employer nationwide in a recent study of publicly-traded companies (see "America's Worst Companies to Work For," July 19, 2013 at www.247wallst.com.)  Citing employee dissatisfaction with inadequate hours and restrictions against having second jobs, the report also notes that "Dollar General has struggled to prop up its bottom line, with net income virtually flat in its last reported quarter."  The report also indicated a poor rating on the American Customer Satisfaction Index.  This is the gift horse we're not supposed to look in the mouth.

     What I'm suggesting is that this proposal has the potential to demolish qualities of life that are precious and unique to a town this size, like getting to know people, start a business or get a job.  Like democracy.  Let's remember our citizenship, step up to the plate and tell the Council we want them to reconsider.
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Trudy Wischemann is a remedial organizer who sometimes sings for food.  You can view this and other essays here and leave a comment below.