Home Depot's Hail Mary
Home Depot suffered a stunning setback in its efforts to open a store in Sunland-Tujunga when a Zoning Administrator revoked their permits back on March 9 of this year.
The Zoning Administrator's decision was based on the mountain of evidence submitted by the No Home Depot Campaign and Councilmember Wendy Greuel that conclusively showed that what Home Depot was trying to call "Tenant Improvements" at the former K-Mart site they were leasing, was in fact, a degree of work, so great, that it could only be labeled a "Project" and was subject to environmental scrutiny. Home Depot has fought desperately to avoid any type of environmental review since they have little , if any, chance of passing this type of scrutiny.
When the Zoning Administrators decision came down, Home Depot vowed to appeal, and appeal they have. Their appeal barely touches on the issues of their alterations to the building, and instead, focuses on the actions of the community that fought to stop them.
Here are some excerpts from the Home Depot appeal, as prepared by their legal firm, Latham & Watkins:
"The Opponents (The NHDC), have essentially acted as another arm of the City, as they have been allowed to review LADBS and Planning Department reports and decisions prior to their issuance, have had unprecedented access to decision makers, have been given materials related to Home Depot's application for the Permit outside of the normal course by which the average person is given access, and have essentially co-opted the local neighborhood council."
"Granting a private organization this type of access has unnecessarily delayed the permitting process...."
"The Opponents issues are apparently driven in part by their opposition to "illegal aliens," "migrant workers," or "day laborers."
There are many more statements in the appeal that are worth reading.
Here is the link: http://no2homedepot.com/files/HDL_WAppeal2007_03_27.pdf
My response to the three excerpts I have posted above :
1. Evidently, participating in your community, keeping your City and elected officials accountable, and working to be involved in the decisions that affect your life are despicable acts
worthy of treason. How dare we question the actions of a corporation with as much money as Home Depot?
2. Sorry to be a road bump in your plans for having a Home Depot on every corner, but, we have to live with your decisions, and as such, we will be there to stop you when you go too far.
3. This is Home Depot's favorite card to play. Simply label the locals as racist, and the whole world feels sorry for you. Sorry, HD, but the day laborer thing has never been a part of our battle against you. We are concerned with traffic, pollution, safety, the houses that surround
the property, and the school less than a block away. Nice try.
Home Depot's appeal will be heard before the North Valley Planning Commission in early June.
The Sunland-Tujunga community will be out in force , along with the press, Councilmember Wendy Greuel, and representatives from across the City.
It's just that important.
Posted by Unknown @ 4/08/2007 05:28:00 PM
50 Comments:
Even if you did oppose "illegal aliens," "migrant workers," or "day laborers," this is NOT racist. And if Home Depot is playing this tired old card, they should be ashamed.
Sorry, HD, but the day laborer thing has never been a part of our battle against you.
Are you sure about that, Joe? I just read your group's appeal, which everyone else on this blog can read here. Makes for some interesting reading.
Page 11:
"Home Depot stores are known to attract many day laborers, the activities and gathering of which frequently becomes a nuisance."
"The southeast corner of this commercial site is only 590 feet from an elementary school. The accumulation of day laborers seeking shelter under the trees, at the corner of the Woodward Street driveway, along with the high volume of truck traffic, will pose a hazard to the children and their parents."
Actually, Joe, the appeal your group submitted just last September made "the day labor thing" an explicit part of your "battle" against Home Depot.
I know that there are many other issues with the project and applaud your activism. However, I would be far more supportive if you were honest on this blog.
The Day Laborer issue was mentioned, but was not an explicit part of our appeal. Failing to mention it would
have appeared as if we were hiding something.
To the core n2hd founders and members:
ANYONE who criticizes your efforts by isolating a few sentences out of a 33 page well written, well researched document;such as the n2hd appeal; which states clearly the purpose and intentions in whole and in part of the n2hd committee as to maintain the integrity, safety, asthetics, and positive progress of the entire town called Sunland-Tujunga...is an individual who cannot see the forest for the trees. In other words, such "support" or lack thereof from that individual is insignificant.
"Never doubt, that a small thoughtful and dedicated group of citizens can change the world. Indeed it is all that ever has."-M.Mead
Joe, you've forced me to pull out a musty old Random House Dictionary.
explicit: "fully and clearly expressed"
I'd say that the language on Page 11 of your group's appeal made "the day laborer thing" an explicit part of your appeal. Home Depot's lawyers seem to agree.
Failing to mention it would have been hiding something -- the fact that the "day laborer thing" was a part of your "battle" against Home Depot. You didn't hide it then, so you really don't need to hide it now by saying "the day laborer thing has never been a part of our battle against you."
It might be a good idea to retract that statement, as made in your post. It would be honest. You don't know if Home Depot's lawyers are monitoring this blog, they very well may be.
8:14, I regret that M. Mead didn't state "a small thoughtful, HONEST and dedicated group of citizens" but maybe that was implicit, not explicit. I didn't mean to insult the entire effort based on a couple of sentences in the appeal, but you folks are doing yourself a diservice by denying that they are in there. You don't want to lose your support because of dishonesty. Stand behind each and every sentence of that appeal.
I am quite sure Home Depot's lawyers monitor this site.
Read the post above yours and also look at the context in which the statements were made. The issue was safety for the school kids that walk that street to get to school. It was hardly an indictment against day laborers. Now go read the other 33 pages of the appeal and still call
this 'explicit".
The issue was safety for the school kids that walk that street to get to school. It was hardly an indictment against day laborers.
The appeal states "(t)he accumulation of day laborers...will pose a hazard to the children and their parents." How so, Joe? How do you not indict day laborers while explicitly stating they will "pose a hazard"? Kindly explain what is meant here.
There were folks at the No 2 Home Depot meeting who made remarks about "mexicans coming to town."
Based on what you've said about this battle, Home Depot will lose. Administrative agency's decisions are all but bullet-proof. They should simply pay for the required environmental review, or find another, more receptive city in which to invest.
Administrative agency's decisions are all but bullet-proof.
The City Planning Department actually approved this Home Depot, then decided some time later to not approve it. A bit of a "flip-flop" if you will.
Mayor Scam please dump Joe B. he never posts other than for his anti-Home Depot rants. is he being paid by businesses in Sunland to do this? You don't need a self interested blogger like Joe.
Do I think it is a valid argument that Home Depot attracts day laborers? Yes. Do those individuals loiter, seek shelter, litter and through their activities and presence, constitute a public nuisance? Frequently, yes. Does Home Depot send a bus to Mexico to pick up illegal aliens? No, not that I'm aware of. Does it matter to me, N2HD, or most members of the community whether these individuals, which it is generally agreed constitute a public nuisance are legal immigrants, illegal immigrants, or immigrants at all? No, I don't think so. Home Depot should not infer that day laborers or concern over the activities of such individuals attracted to their site (and admittedly permitted by HD to loiter) constitutes opposition to illegal aliens or migrant workers on behalf of N2HD. No argument is made by N2HD against "illegal aliens" and I believe Home Depot's argument is flawed, invalid, and an attack against N2HD, personally. I'm with Joe on this one. But nice try, Home Depot.
Joe did you ever put on any underwear?
is he being paid by businesses in Sunland to do this?
Joe and his team have been almost entirely finaced by Do-It Center, a potential competitor to the new Home Depot. Their employees have attended many demonstrations, most of which have been documented on this blog, and I have little doubt that they were paid "on the clock" to do so.
Mayor Scam please dump Joe B. he never posts other than for his anti-Home Depot rants.
Plus, he has shown himself to be dishonest, as this thread explicitly demonstrates. He has been caught in an outright lie -- "the day laborer thing has never been a part of our battle against you" -- yet fails to apologize and recant his statements. Councilwoman Greuel will soon withdraw her support from these liars.
Imus said members of the mostly black Rutgers University women's basketball team were "nappy-headed hos."
Does Home Depot send a bus to Mexico to pick up illegal aliens? No, not that I'm aware of.
Does it matter to me, N2HD, or most members of the community whether these individuals, which it is generally agreed constitute a public nuisance are legal immigrants, illegal immigrants, or immigrants at all? No, I don't think so.
If it doesn't matter whether day laborers are "immigrants at all" why do you rhetorically ask if Home Depot "sends a bus to Mexico to pick up illegal aliens?" Please clarify.
You also say that day laborers are "generally agreed constitute a public nuisance." What do you base this on? Please clarify.
In the same vein, I await Joe's response to my 8:29 comment. As much as "the day laborer thing has never been a part of our battle against you," it sure has received a lot of attention on this blog, hasn't it?
The first obstacle a gas cartel would face is that there is a lot of gas in the world. And when there's a lot of supply, price manipulation isn't easy. According to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy, natural gas' reserve-to-production ratio is about 60 years' supply vs. 40 years for crude oil. But this count doesn't include nonconventional gas resources such as shales, tight sands and gas locked in ice crystals on the ocean floor, which could stretch gas supplies to thousands of years, says Bernie Picchi, an analyst for Wall Street Access. In other words, a cartel's price inflation would spur the development of these resources, ultimately undermining the cartel's pricing power.
Sure, only eight percent of you had a horse in the race. But if you want a great flavor of San Fernando Valley politics, and a lot of perspective too, check out this post of MayorSam’s at MayorSam.
Whitest Guy Leaving an Election Party: Jim Alger driving off from Jamie Corardo’s party at the Knights of Columbus Hall blaring David Bowie’s and Queen’s Under Suspicion from his car speakers…
Traditional dryers continuously draw in the cool, dry, ambient air around them and heat it before passing it through the tumbler. Afterwards, the resulting hot, humid air is simply vented outside to make room for more dry air to continue the drying process.
The traditional design makes no effort to recycle the heat put into the load, and so is quite inefficient. Nevertheless, the basic design is simple, reliable, and cheap.
Joe and his team have been almost entirely finaced by Do-It Center
you are financed by Home Depot
Too bad "fatman" from foothillsforum.com doesn't comment here. He repeated the statements made on Page 11 of the No 2 Home Depot appeal to Spanish language media and was effectively silenced by the campaign. After all, the "day laborer thing has never been a part of battle against you," at least not publicly (only explicity in your own documents).
Miner from foothillsforum.com shared a video of the celebration over the City's "flip-flop" only to have a link to his site removed over what advantages this video could give to Home Depot's lawyers. Joe's post and comments tonight give far more ammunition. Could it be that Joe and his crew were jealous when at least one local radio station said foothillsforum.com was the place to learn more about this matter?
you are financed by Home Depot
Nope, I just want Joe to be honest. God finances me for that.
A claw hammer is a tool primarily used for pounding nails into, or extracating nails from, some other object. Generally, a hammer is associated with woodworking but is not limited to use with wood products.
Wendy Gruel owns a hardware store.
uh oh joseph got caught lying!
Wendy Gruel owns a hardware store
Where?
Regardless of what she owns, she's going to drop a bunch of liars quickly. This blog is read by a lot of people.
Joe, I'd like to continue supporting you, but I'm a bit "stuck" by all the comments here. I like to deal with honest people.
Let's ay you'e right and Sunland doesn't want a Home Depot. No one will shop there and it will close. If Target wants to open, it will have to submit to the same rigorous EIR and Specific Plan process you so eloquently stated was necessary. Oh wait -- Target doesn't want that either -- how about a nice auto wrecking yard?
If Target wants to open, it will have to submit to the same rigorous EIR and Specific Plan process you so eloquently stated was necessary.
Joe, you and your folks may want a Target, but you have already "proven" Target would have to go through the same process that Home Depot has. It won't want to. Listen to Wendy -- Targety won't open in your neighborhood either. LAUSD has already gone on record that a retail store (like Kmart) will cause problems for them.
The property already has regulations regarding buliding size, buffering from residential uses, and setbacks. An auto dismantling yard would fit perfectly. Good luck!
Joe, where is your response to my 8:49 comment? If you're going to defend your opposition to Home Depot, you better explain how Target would be different. "Socks and underwear" come from the same kind of trucks.
Frontier Building Supply Co. North Hollywood, CA
maybe joe wants to build condos there
it is the largest retailer of home improvement products in the world, providing a wide range of goods and services for both professionals and do-it-yourself consumers. The Home Depot employs more than 355,000 people and operates 2,114 big-box format stores across the United States (including the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands), Canada (ten provinces), Mexico and China.[1]
The Home Depot is the largest home improvement retailer in the United States, ahead of rival Lowe's.
Look, we don't want Mexicans in Sunland-Tujunga, what part of Joe's articulate and well-reasoned argument don't you understand?
Joe has done such a good job of patrolling this thread (his first in months) and responding to the chargest within. No way would Ms. Greuel back away from such a great debater.
Too bad Target needs an EIR too!
Fatman was right, if we wanted to give these Spics a say, we would've allowed an El Super!
In December 2006, The Home Depot announced its acquisition of the Chinese home improvement retailer The Home Way. [2] The acquisition gave The Home Depot an immediate presence in China, with 12 stores in six cities. Although China is ruled by the communist party, the government allows Home Depot to further deregulate its practices, decide on matters liberally on employee benefits and labor union membership in a socialist country.
Remember Fatman! Page 11 was right! Check foothillsforum.com if you think Joe is not telling the full story. Oh wait, he isn't.
Although China is ruled by the communist party, the government allows Home Depot to further deregulate its practices, decide on matters liberally on employee benefits and labor union membership in a socialist country.
Here, we just basis it on racists like Joe and Fatman. We are WAY BEHIND THE CURVE.
maybe joe wants to build condos there
No, but Do-It Center is worried about charging too much for a light bulb. Joe supports them because Do-It Center wantsto charter a bus to send its day laborers back to Mexico (check out Foothil Blvd) but will never be able to if the free market allows competition from a big company. Too bad!
Anyone who would like the Home Depot that their corporation intends for Sunland-Tujunga in their neighborhood instead, please call them immediately and make the trade!We need a Target type store and even if it did require an EIR I doubt it would be a problem because it is not a warehouse per our Foothill Corridor Business Specific Plan. Also, if Do It Center were supporting the No 2 Home Depot Campaign, it wouldn't be necessary to do fund raising for our present and future legal fees. We are looking forward to having an "honorable" business in our community that will truly be a good neighbor and supply the needs of our community. I don't understand why most of the people on this site "don't get it" Perhaps most of you work for Home Depot? If so, I you should know that Do it Center and Lowes has Home Depot beat for customer service and cleanliness.
Frankly, Joe, I do not know why you blog on this blog site. It is obviously full to the brim of Home Depot shills who operate at the level of scum.
We live in a scummy city run by a hoodlum Mayor who is still a member of La Raza, and who cares more about illegals than citizens. He did all he knew how to support his biggest allies, Home Depot and their law firm, Latham and Watkins. He accepts all types of favors and donations from these corporations and no one questions the conflict of interest when he supports them.
David Fleming of the Economic Alliance that San Fernando Valley organization that wants to develop the valley until there is nothing left that meets the eye for miles and miles but condo after condo, works for Latham and Watkins that same firm who acts as Home Depot's lawyers.
Wendy Greuel is thick as thieves with the Economic Alliance and big buddies with the mayor. Greuel would like to see this K-Mart property covered with a transit village so it was easy to oppose Home Depot, but that made it a little difficult for the mayor who is beholden to Home Depot.
The conflict of interest in Los Angeles government needs immediate investigation.
Mr. Fine seems to agree. The recent lawsuit filed by Mr. Fine against the City Council for Playa Vista regarding the conflict of interest the Councilmembers are involved in by accepting donations from the developers and their lobbyists and then voting for their projects will surely out in the courts.
Home Depot is used to having its way, but it is not going to have its way in Sunland.
Developers are used to having their way, but it is not going to happen in Playa Vista.
Councilmembers are used to taking money and then voting for the givers. It will stop in Los Angeles if we follow Mr. Fine's lead and expose them at every opportunity and in the courts as often as possible.
Sorry 11:43, the free market doesn't work without law enforcement. What a jackass!
Home Depot
+
Illegal aliens
-----------------
= time to move away
You, fools! Do you live in Sunland-Tujunga or anywhere near this proposed Home Depot site? NO. Then, get your noses out of our community. No 2 Home Depot in Sunland-Tujunga! No 2 Home Depot in Sunland-Tujunga! No 2 Home Depot in Sunland-Tujunga! No 2 Home Depot in Sunland-Tujunga! No 2 Home Depot in Sunland-Tujunga! No 2 Home Depot in Sunland-Tujunga!
NO! to Home Depot and Mexicans in Sunland! Lemonade?
As someone who has attended almost every No Home Depot protest, and hearing, I have to take issue with the comments on this blog that have tried to turn the No Home Depot Campaign into a racist issue.
As a single woman with a horse ranch, I often hire
laborers from street corners to help me out.
Almost without exception I find them to be hard working, friendly, and kind. These people are in this country to work and earn a living to support their families. Besides, it's virtually impossible to find such workers by any other means.
The reasons I don't want Home Depot have to do with traffic, and pollution....point blank. A store like that has no business opening in a residential neighborhood.
Yes, the Do-It-Center has been active in the No2HomeDepot campaign, but even more so, the entire community has devoted its time and money to keep them out.
I for one will continue the fight to stop Home Depot from opening a store in Sunland-Tujunga not only because they don't belong here but because they've used devious means to obtain their goals.
What's good for the Corporation isn't always what's good for the Community.
Joe, keep up the fight!!!
If you spend any amount of time reading the Foothills Forum.. What a bunch of whiney, judgemental and racist group of individuals.
Yes, a Target store would have to follow the same EIR rules as Home Depot. But Target is NOT the same as HD, not in the number of trucks required to stock a "warehouse" store, nor in the amounts of goods that people buy, then leave the store with. Ever gone to a Home Depot for ONE item? NO! Ever fill up the back of a pickup truck with goods from HD? YES! Ever go to a Target for one item? YES! Ever fill up theback of a pickup truck with goods from Target? NO!! Now do you see the difference between Target and HD?
On April 8, Anonymous said:
"In December 2006, The Home Depot announced its acquisition of the Chinese home improvement retailer The Home Way. [2] The acquisition gave The Home Depot an immediate presence in China, with 12 stores in six cities. Although China is ruled by the communist party, the government allows Home Depot to further deregulate its practices, decide on matters liberally on employee benefits and labor union membership in a socialist country."
My question for that person's(Home Depot)statement is, "What members of the Chinese government are getting paid off? Just as with L.A. politics, I am sure there was a win win situation in their negotiations there. Mostly in favor of big business and politicians and not for their communities or consumers. Don't try to pass Home Depot off as altrusic. The Home Depot Corporation must think everyone else is ignorant! Shouldn't we all assume that since Home Depot coorperation was run by an Italian that you are affilated with the mafia? Shouldn't that be a fact, after all, you assume that Do it Center if paying for the No to Home Depot Campaign, which they are not. However, if that were true, I am sure God would bless them! At least they care about and are part of the community.
I came online and Googled - "Home Depot Protest in Sunland Tujunga" My reason was because I wanted to see what and why this was happening. I am a longtime resident of this community and have heard many different things. Having read many of the different blogs, I realize that MANY if not most of the protestors were NOT residents and had no interest in the community at all! Personally,the most frequent reason I have heard for not wanting a Home Depot is because we don't need one. We need another store like KMART that has a wide variety of products, clothing, toys, auto, furniture, shoes, etc..... I think that people are using our community to further their own personal reasons. I have read blogs written by people from many OTHER communities who planned to show up for the Home Depot protests. I hope we get a different kind of store in that location. We really need it! I also hope that people from other communities should not try to use this community to further their own agenda. And we certainly don't need some of the racial, hateful comments being attributed to our community due to this protest. The responsible thing would be to have a different kind of store. In short,(I know - not so short) Home Depot is not needed in this community and I hope another store is brought here - but not for the reasons that seem to be in the forefront of this 'fight'. ME
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