Local politicians usually love it when Wal-Mart builds in their jurisdictions, and New Haven Mayor John DeStefano was no different. Here's what DeStefano had to say about the opening of a new Wal-Mart in New Haven in 2004:
The New Haven Wal-Mart will employ 340 full and part-time workers. Wal-Mart and three Sam’s Clubs, a subsidiary of Wal-Mart, employ 8,340 in the state.
“We’re glad the space is filled, it’s a great location,” said Mayor John DeStefano Jr. “We think the store is going to be successful there. We’re taking something that was empty and filling it with more jobs and tax revenue.” (New Haven Register, 7/20/04; free reg. req’d)
Needless to say, now that DeStefano is a Democratic candidate for governor here in Connecticut, he was right there with Lieberman and Lamont* at today's anti-Wal-Mart rally. How quickly things change when there's pandering to do.
Later that same day:
* CORRECTION: 09:29 p.m.: From today's Connecticut Post:
Another candidate for governor, New Haven Mayor John DeStefano Jr., who since earlier this year has been critical of Wal-Mart, cancelled his planned appearance Wednesday after a shooting in his city.
I left after Lamont spoke because it was blazing hot, and I assumed that DeStefano made his appearance as planned. I apologize for the error. Nevertheless, as the article points out, DeStefano planned to appear, and he's been critical of Wal-Mart since earlier this year.