Letter to the Editor
Editor,
This is in reply to Mr. MacDougall’s letter of June 23, 2016. I don’t think I have ever read a more condescending letter referring to the people of Meaford. Especially those of us who rely on the downtown grocery store. People who have supported local business for many years. This just shows that some people and yes big corporations do not understand the loyalty to their small town by the people who have lived and shopped here for many years. Closing their downtown grocery store adds stress and uncertainty of how long they can stay in their home.
Mr. MacDougall, if you did not want to shop, in your words, in a dated, too crowded, not well organized and high-priced store why move to a small town like Meaford?
Closing the small town grocery store has far-reaching consequences. It affects the other small downtown businesses, no people downtown no business for them. Probably you are not aware that this store sponsors summer and winter sports teams for our children. Without that sponsorship the teams will cease to exist or parents will be required to pay more in registration. Some of these parents are losing their jobs and no there are not 20 jobs in this area for them to find work.
Foodland also supports many other events and organizations including, to name a few, the Meaford Curling Club, the local fall fairs, fund-raising events for the local schools, churches, and many more community events.
I too have shopped in ‘big’ stores in other communities and I can tell you, you are just so much money, you are basically ignored, left to find purchases on your own, have to pack your own groceries in many cases and all they care about is your money, no friendly faces, concerns for your well-being or your involvement with the community.
No one ever said that Bill’s Valumart would not serve our needs, but once again some people don’t want to shop in a larger store and still have to get to that store. I have no problem getting to Bill’s Valumart, but I drive. I have no problem shopping at Bill’s Valumart. Bill is also very involved in our community and supports many sports teams and events just like Foodland, but is it fair to ask him to do more, to become a big corporation and people like Mr. MacDougall who have no problem shopping out of town have forced the closure of our downtown Foodland store.
As Bill Murdoch frequently points out, there’s no one living north of Highway 7 in the opinion of big business and politicians.
Vera Cramp White, Meaford
