By Jon A. Brake

Wal-Mart Super Center plan number 42 is out, and more will be coming.

Wal-Mart has been trying to build a new Super Center in Manhattan for three years. After looking at the new plans businesses on the eastside had better start calling for a new set.

First..the plans call for Wal-Mart to take the east parking lot of the American Legion. As of Wednesday that contract has not been signed. Without owning the property the plans cannot go to the City. Wal-Mart cannot rezone property that they do not own.

Second.."You can not get there from here" will be the battle cry of motorist. Ace Hardware, Mrs. Clyde’s and Roche’s Family Hair Care will not have access from Bluemont Ave. All of the previous plans gave a right hand turn into the businesses but the latest plans do not. The City staff said it was an agreement with Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart officials said they requested the turns but the staff did not want them.

Third..The American Legion will have only right turns in and right turns out of their property. That means if you are going east on McCall Rd you cannot enter the American Legion.

Fourth..And this is a big one..plans call for a four way stop light going into the Wal-Mart parking lot. That light also opens a street to go in front of Staples and the present Wal-Mart. That would be a street direct between Wal-Mart and Dillon’s. Staples customers will become targets trying to get to their cars.

Citizens and businesses in the area need to start talking to City Manager Ron Fehr and Commission members or this City will be living with this plan. (Editor’s note: Owner of Roche's Hair Care is Linda Roche Brake the wife of Free Press Publisher Jon Brake.)