The many residents and merchants who are proud to call Desert Hot Springs home do so in part because our city has been able to maintain a unique desert character and sense of community by fostering an economic climate that promotes diverse, independent local businesses rather than numerous big box national chain stores like Walmart.

And while our city has undoubtedly been hit hard by the economic recession, Walmart’s plans to build a 155,000 square foot Supercenter on Palm Drive and Camino Aventura Avenue is simply NOT a solution but a problem to strengthening our city and economic base.

ALLOWING WALMART TO INVADE DESERT HOT SPRINGS IS THE WRONG KIND OF GROWTH FOR OUR COMMUNITY 

* Walmart’s plans for a massive 155,000 sq. ft. big box Supercenter in a residential zoned area will result in a net loss of better paying jobs in DHS when they force KMART, at least one major grocer and several mom and pop stores out of business because they can’t compete with Walmart’s tax subsidized low employee wages and bulk cheap foreign products; it’s not a fair market level playing field when Walmart is involved.

* We need to think and plan long term as a city and encourage businesses to move to DHS that promote living wages and health benefits, not an employer with the worst employment record in the nation that relies on taxpayers to subsidize their intentionally part-time, low wage employee workforce with state welfare and healthcare benefits.

* A 24-hour Walmart Supercenter that sells thousands of square feet worth of hard alcohol, beer and wine will attract more crime and further burden our taxpayer paid police department.

* Thousands of people from all over the world visit our beautiful city for its scenic beauty and famous hot springs and is why many of us choose to live here. Do we really want a massive Walmart Supercenter to serve as the welcoming symbol and gateway to our city for tourists and residents and to draw more business away from downtown?

* There are already THREE full service grocery stores and several independent markets within a TWO mile or less radius of the proposed Walmart. Do we really want or need another grocery store in this part of town or to convert land that was intended for residential use into more commercial space that draws customers away from our downtown businesses? 

Please join with your neighbors, residents and merchants in signing our petition and demanding that the city council fight for a Stronger DHS by saying NO to a Walmart on Palm Drive!