Latest "Truth" in Wal-Mart Quartzsite Rumor Mill

Quartzsite residents and visitors alike share a common complaint: It's a l-o-n-g way to Wal-Mart, stranded, as it would seem, in the middle of a "can’t get here from there," shopping scenario, 'doing Wal-Mart' is largely a full day’s trip to Yuma. When Wal-Mart announced intentions to build a supercenter in nearby Blythe, the prospect of a 25 mile trip to the world’s largest retailer seemed to many like a Godsend.

Rumors about the coming--or not--of "Wallyworld" have proliferated like RVs on the desert at high season. It’s hard to get a handle on the truth, but here’s the latest "truth," take it or leave it.

Two activist groups recently filed suits against the City of Blythe in attempts to stop the construction of the proposed supercenter. Oh yeah, just for the record, the location will (would) (might) be at the corner of Hobsonway and Inlet Boulevard--on the lot across the street from Ramsey’s Towing.

The legal action was not an unexpected turn of events, Wal-Mart had anticipated the suits, as the groups have often opposed Wal-Mart construction efforts throughout California. One group, MENOS, is said to be an environmental group dedicated to preservation of open spaces. Well, if you’ve looked over the plot of land on the corner, it’s doubtful you’ll find too many herds of buffalo, deer, or antelope recreating. Nevertheless, the group claims the land suffers from "hydrocarbon" pollution, and will need cleaning up.

Where does all this legal wrangling leave the small-town government? Since Wal-Mart has agreed to handle suits filed against the city relative to their construction plans, the big retailer will pick up the tab. Will the suits make it court? Blythe City Manger Les Nelson told the local paper, The Palo Verde Valley Times that he figures neither Wal-Mart nor its antagonists would be stepping up to the out-of-court plate anytime soon. "I think we’ll get through the settlement conference and then we’ll get to court, and I’ll be very interested how the judge reacts to their allegations." The paper’s news article dated January 31 implied that the suits focussed on open space issues, and on global warming.

How long will this ‘sidetracking’ go on? Nelson told the paper, "Eventually they’re going to build a Wal-Mart in town, and if you take the six months it takes to go to court, and the nine months to construct, I see a grand-opening in mid-year 2008." For the huddled masses yearning for the freedom of a local shop, that’s a lot of greenhouse gasses and global warming from having to drive back and forth to Yuma for another year and a half.