Editor, Ceres Courier,

This is in response to Jeff Benziger's invitation for readers to respond to his Wednesday, April 24 editorial. I, too, am curious about the "Citizens for Ceres" and their current silence in what was a robust (though contrived) campaign against a Wal-Mart Supercenter being built in Ceres.

Should they fail to reply to the editor's request, it would seem as though the "Citizens" attacks have come to an end for the time being. Perhaps their vision has become impaired in the absence of "guiding light", Brett Jolley (who specializes in environmental law). Whatever the case may be, the dubious group has never in the past wasted any energy when it comes to voicing fallacious complaints.

I recognize it to be true that there has not been so much as a whimper of discontent for some time regarding the construction of other businesses (such as Dollar General and Farmer Boys Restaurant), now that the Wal-Mart Supercenter site (at Service and Mitchell) has indefinitely sat idle, undeveloped and stalled out due to environmental hype. This is evidence to the fact that "Citizens" mission has solely existed to prevent the construction of Ceres Wal-Mart Supercenter, and to eliminate potential profit gains (for the store), and inadvertently hamper crucially needed jobs and city revenue.

After railing against Wal-Mart Supercenter over the possibility of future traffic generated noise pollution, "Citizens" has created plenty of its own noise pollution. They group is not at all interested in traffic congestion and safety. They desire only to put Ceres on the road to limited free market competition as it relates to the grocery industry.

In addition to all of its other feigned concerns, "Citizens for Ceres" does not care about endangered species, with the exception of one: "the Wal-Mart Supercenter shopping bug." They want to squash it flat before it stops by the deli on its way to "check stand # 5" with a shopping basket full of bargain priced quality goods.

A healthy economy requires that industry (and jobs) be allowed to grow and flourish, supported by environmental regulations that help to ensure, not impede productivity.

Ken Groves,
Ceres