Don't know as I write this what will be the results of the Council Meeting on the 23rd, but as many know, I write my posts sometimes days in advance and fit them in as time allows.
Have been watching the news on how Loew's is going to close its Orchard Supply Hardware Division. This is supposedly about 99 stores where ever they are. Loew's is also going to "Revamp its Portfolio" (Say What?), to compete with Home Depot. Who the Hell really cares?
My reasons for not shopping there much if at all anymore are not based on Home Depot.
It is about "my" perception of Loew's overall Customer Service? I am a very, very proud Veteran. I have five (5), Honorable Discharges in one format or another to show I am a Veteran. I have an Identity Card that was given to me by the Out-processing Official at Ft. Lewis when I left Military Service. The logic was that I would need it some time. Little did I know it would be to prove I was a Veteran/ Military Member/ Retiree and entitled to that small but welcome discount? Yet, Loew's questioned my status of being a Veteran/ Military Member even though better than 60% of my 22 years of Federal Retirement is based on that Service? They on several occasions made me feel that I was a thief? Taking something I did not deserve? How could I show a Military Retirement Card, when my Service was most of a total of but earned Honorably in the Military? All I have is a Document with a huge Ribbon, thanking me for my 22 years of Service when I retired from SSA finally and in full? It is my belief that I am still a Federal Employee, albeit retired from Active Service, be it Army or Civilian Federal. I feel that when I went in there, I was still paying for my Vietnam Years- in spades. No empty glass Beer/ Pop Bottles, no spitting on me or cursing me as a Baby Killer. Just snide looks and innuendoes? (Guess I should point out that this occurred about a year and a half back).
What Loew's needs to be focusing on is not Home Depot. They should be more concerned about Menards', when it finally opens if and when it does? I have been told it will kick Loew's and Home Depot out of Vienna with its business model/ attributes?
And no matter the above two, it should be pursuing what are fewer and fewer in not just Vienna Loew's, but apparently many of its locations? The CUSTOMER who bring its dollar in and feels welcome; finds what it wants/ needs at a competitive price. The Customer should be "Job one" as I have read/ heard somewhere? They should be number one on Loew's list, but seem to be at best number two if not three based on Menard's expected arrival on the local scene?
Seems a sad business model in the making and one can see numerous other Companies in the past decade who lost sight of the real customer and who it need attract, not compete against.
I would wish the best in whatever, but still have little or no intent to shop there.
It was interesting to see where the "Message Board" posted some data on some Festivities on Friday at Jackson Park and Saturday at Spencer Park. Okay so far, but than the caveat that it hoped there were no conflicts with dates or times? What is wrong with these people? Why no phone contact with Ms. Kern or even the City Staff for verification? Why is Research in its mildest form so difficult for this site's owner? Why put something out that one is not sure if it is right or not? That is why we do Research. I can fully understand making an error, I have made enough on my own. But I make a habit of trying to find supporting information. If and I repeat if I make a screw up, I am a huge believer in eating Crow. Rest assured I do not like the taste. Yet, others put out incorrect data and will even try to cover an issue up by lying about it later.
I will continue too each and everyone of you to read/ listen/ watch what is going on from other sources be they the World, Nation, State, County and even our little acreage of them in Vienna. But locally, do so with more with suspicion than outright Trust and Belief?
Was having a most welcome conversation the other day with a fellow Viennese. As would be the usual, Mr. Conley came up, being out on a limb, and allowing Mr. Rapp, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Bibbee, Ms. Smith and/ or Mr. Leach to cut the branch off behind him. Than on the way down, Mr. Rapp or whomever hands him his head. The other person said "He is trying". My response is as usual now, "Not fast enough". He and Mr. Elam are almost 1/2 way through this term. I have before and will again defend them on the "Learning Curve". They both have real lives and interests that deserve the necessary attention. But when we continue to fail to pursue and advance issues that would help to stop and even clean out the corruption in the City, not just we, but they are failing. And they have the "Bully Pulpit", to make the point on what is going or has gone wrong here? Instead, silence or a few poorly chosen words that allow them to be shut down? Than may I ask with sincerity, why are they there?
There were supposedly at least two and maybe up to four speakers at last night's Council Meeting? There appeared also to be an attempt to swamp the Public Forum with commenters on the PD Fee? By now we should know what happened with that? And too what effect? As usual, I will comment a bit later on the meeting.
This City has lost the use of Millions of Tax Dollars in its individual persons so that we could pursue agenda's that are not in the Resident/ Tax Payers best interests. I would like to point out where an effort to start something was stifled. I don't believe it was an accident? 'nuff said'.