Lest the Wal-Mart plague destroy Washington, Kevin Raymond Galik, a graduate student and organizer in Spokane, is asking voters to fight back. He has a reason to take action. He proposed I-721. The initiative also stipulates that both city and county voters would have to approve big-box stores. Galik's support has been remarkably diverse, casting light on the fact that the issue unites traditionally disparate groups.
Environmentalists despise big-box stores because of the polluting automobile society they require.
Galik is counting on a similar alliance to obtain the 180,000 signatures he needs to get the proposal on the state ballot in November. However, Galik is likely to face some heavy-duty opposition. The ordinance has since been suspended. Galik might also have some trouble tapping into the mighty union-environmentalist equation. I absolutely support the initiative.