Wal-Mart debate to be televised

Eron Ben-Yehuda

The controversial Wal-Mart project will be the subject of a

mid-January debate, a representative for the League of Women Voters

announced Monday at the City Council meeting.

Those interested in submitting questions to be asked during the debate

should send them to the League by Jan. 8, spokeswoman Judy Lewis said.

Because of its reputation for fairness and impartiality, the League

was asked by the council to set up a format agreeable to both sides in

the bitter and ongoing conflict, which centers around plans to open a

150,000 square-foot retail complex at the site of a closed school at

Talbert Avenue and Beach Boulevard.

The debate is expected to air on HBTV-3 from Feb. 1 through March 5,

two days before residents cast their vote in a ballot initiative.

Proponents of Measure I hope to thwart Wal-Mart’s development by rezoning

the property from commercial to residential.

Judging by past debates organized by the League, some City Council

members worry the event will be too boring.

But Lewis said maintaining control is more important that good sound

bites.

‘We’ll definitely stick to issues and positions as opposed to personal

attacks,’ she said. ‘Maybe that’s some people’s version of boring.’

Send questions to the League of Women Voters of Orange Coast, P.O. Box

4134, Huntington Beach, CA 92605 or by e-mail to Coastlwv@aol.com.