I am trying to understand the various positions on the proposed new Lowe’s/Walmart Development in Remington and appreciate all sincere, honest, open, and respectful dialogue. If anyone ever feels that I have violated these principles, please call me out. I've lived, worked, and been a community worker in Remington for most of my life and have experienced the many changes the neighborhood has gone through. I don't have any first hand knowledge of this development project, have not been consulted by anyone, and know only what I have read in articles and on the internet.  That being said I do have an interest in anything that takes place in the neighborhood and especially a project with this potential impact.

I am a partisan in the sense that my first concern is that long term residents with deep roots here have the ability to live and thrive in the community.  To these folks the neighborhood is a part of their family history and traditions and an inextricable part of their identity.  They have weathered many changes that drove neighbors and family out of the neighborhood whether it was the drug wars of the 90's or the huge rise in housing prices and demand in the last decade. 

I am also a partisan for those who are generally overlooked, neglected, or exploited in our society. Many of these are hardworking folks who have had such barriers to overcome that they have not been able to enjoy the many opportunities that others take for granted in this country. Even those whom some may feel are undeserving of a chance at a better life, should have the opportunity for growth and transformation - at least that's the kind of society I most want to live in.

There was a time when folks around here used to walk to work and be able to make a living here that allowed them to have stability in their lives and to build a community that is much more than a geographical location. We watched local businesses and factories move to other sectors of the city where development was government sponsored and we witnessed other industry move down South to even cheaper wages and tax breaks on their way out of the country. We have watched many of the traditional mom and pop stores give way to empty storefronts and then boutiques that don't reflect much of the traditional culture, except in the worst of cases as a caricature.

I've witnessed all kinds of organizations of residents claiming that they speak for the community.  All of them were valid in their own right, but I have yet to see any formulation that has the depth and breadth to be able to claim more than representation of a slice of the neighborhood. I believe in democracy and that all should have voice, but they should be clear about who they really represent and can turn out when needed. 

All of that being said, I am really glad that the question of jobs and retail are front and center agenda items.  These are essential economic issues that have a deep impact on people's lives in the community.  We are a mixed class neighborhood and always have been though there are many more folks who are on the upper end then there used to be. A segment of the community is upwardly mobile with the education, training, and access to provide them with opportunity in most economic conditions. Another segment of the community, a fairly large segment traditionally, does not have that same status.  

It may be easy to dismiss low skilled work as "dead-end" jobs, but you are talking about the ability for someone to care for their family no matter how meager their income may be.  It reflects a kind of class bias to be dismissive of these jobs, whether it's a retail clerk at Walmart or the dishwasher in the restaurant on 36th street. Everyone in our society has not been given the same opportunity through education, access, and the economic security of passed down wealth. A job is essential to our survival and even the lowly ones become a part of our identity and dignity. If I ran the economy, the minimum wage would be a living wage, workers would all have bargaining power, and a platform of safety, security and dignity in the workplace would be common. In the short run, it is about folks very survival during very difficult times and the starting place for any of this is to have a job and economic investment in our community where each can share in a piece.

I remember when grocery stores pulled out of the city and when the poorest folks without transportation would have to do all of their grocery shopping in the corner stores.  To some it may have seemed some kind of romantic ideal, but it meant people went hungry because they were spending 30-40% more for their groceries than their more affluent neighbors who had access to the grocery chains.  If your measure is the ability of folks to not go hungry and have enough food to take care of their families, then the grocery chains were a welcome addition to the area.  The corner stores had to adapt if they were to survive, but the greater good was served, especially for poor and working people. 

Most long-term residents have watched as all of our department stores on 36th Street closed down. The only real vestige left of this era are the two hardware stores. People have had to leave the area to do most of their household shopping for some time now.  For those without transportation this has been a real burden and an additional expense for those with a car. I think efforts should be made to encourage and promote locally owned business that hires local residents and serves the needs of the neighborhood, but this is a very small number at the moment.

Folks who have lived here a long time have watched those who are more powerful and privileged impact on their lives. Whether it was investment, neglect, new visions, or just market forces; whether it was the drug economy or developers, most of it just happened around them without concern for the quality or impact on their lives.

There are issues related to this development that need to be resolved such as traffic, appearance, and accessibility.  Hiring and job training needs to be front and center as well as discussion of how the development will support the community with its profits.  

It's a good thing that we are debating these issues that are so central to people's lives.  It is important that the interest of those who invested in building their families here over generations are considered.  I hope this has contributed to the dialogue.

Tom Culotta

TomCulotta@tcs-camp.com