Manson,WA (MVT) - Opinion - Wal-Mart is officially open as of 7AM Monday, January 22, 2007.  A new era is upon us as we feel the presence of a major corporate entity in our area.

I spent yesterday on the road to Stevens Pass for a little skiing only to be met by steady rainfall at the summit, which prompted a quick return to the Chelan Valley.  Out of curiosity more than necessity, I stopped at Wal-Mart to take a look around and buy a few things.

I felt that I could have been in any city once I was inside.  It was Wal-Mart through and through.  There was nothing to distinguish the location of the store from any other.  I picked up a few things and headed out the door for home.

While heading down Woodin Av, a feeling came over me.  The new store had modified the way I felt about the area.  Chelan was a little jewel and Wal-Mart had taken away the isolated feeling - the feeling of "getting away".  It also seemed that Chelan was no longer what it used to be.  Big money made me seem smaller and less in control.  Goliath won the battle while David was searching for rocks.

During any grand opening one is sure to see a good crowd at the new business.  As I drove by Safeway, I noticed nine cars in the parking lot where 30 or more would usually be found.  As time goes by, more of these effects will become apparent.  The floodgates of Corporate America have been opened.  Expect other major corporations to locate their satellites in and around Chelan in the not-too-distant future.

Change is never easy, especially when the Sword of Change cuts both ways.  I will save time and money having Wal-Mart so close, but I have lost the feeling of independence from a world controlled by corporations. - Gregory Kennedy - Editor MVT