Walmart

After a judge this week issued an injunction effectively halting progress on a planned Walmart adjacent to the Empire Center, a spokeswoman for the retailer called it a “shortsighted” stall tactic. Actually, the delay is working out to be more of a prudent turn of events, given the fact that we all now know just how intrusive the massive carpool lane project on the Golden State (5) Freeway has shaped up to be. Even if Walmart decides to appeal the injunction - imposed to allow for the outcome of a lawsuit filed to force the city to address concerns about the mega retailer's impact on traffic and local businesses - a grand-opening date of sometime in late 2014 will surely be pushed back.

I see the Walmart controversy is still making news. Two weeks ago my wife and I went shopping at the Walmart in Rosemead. We bought many things, and as an example, a 14.5-ounce can of Libby's sauerkraut that we bought for 75 cents is going for $1.99 at Pavilions. With the difference in prices, is there any other reason not to have a Walmart in Burbank, unless you're the 1% that have enough money and don't care how much things cost? Jim McAllister Burbank

Good morning, readers. Today is Friday, August 24. It's well known that Michael Berman, Rep. Howard Berman's brother, has had a key role in the congressman's political career. Rep.  Brad Sherman , his rival for a seat in a newly-drawn Valley congressional district, is now going after Michael, alleging he was overpaid for his consultation work . L.A. Times A firefighter sustained a minor injury while responding to a fire in Sun Valley , the Daily News reports.

A court-ordered injunction issued Thursday against a planned Walmart in Burbank could sideline the project and force the city to prove the world's largest retailer won't cause significant harm to local roadways and businesses. Walmart had been planning to renovate the former Great Indoors site adjacent to the Empire Center in time to open in mid- to late 2013, but the Los Angeles County Superior Court injunction on Thursday effectively stops all work until the claims raised in a lawsuit filed by three Burbank residents earlier this year are settled.

Re: “Store work may be halted,” Aug. 18: I can't believe how ridiculous this is becoming. Who are these three women waging this war against Walmart? Why should their dislike for Walmart mean any more than the likes of the people that want the Walmart in Burbank? I guarantee that if the judge rules in favor of the Walmart, they will take a different stand to try and stop the store. It's not about the traffic, it's not about the foreign-made goods, it's not about the alleged low wages or benefits for the employees, and it's not about the parking either.

Good morning, readers. Today is Monday, August 20. Free parking at the NoHo Commons in North Hollywood is now a thing of the past. Beginning today, visitors to the NoHo Commons retail center will have to pay $1.50 to park for fifteen minutes or $15 dollars for the entire day. Patch The start of construction on Burbank's proposed Walmart could be in jeopardy after a judge hinted at launching a review on the retailer's impact on...

Walmart's move into Burbank appeared headed for a snag in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Friday after a judge said he was prepared to halt planned construction pending further review of the retail giant's impact on the city. A main point of contention at the hearing in downtown Los Angeles was whether city officials should have issued permits allowing Walmart to renovate the former Great Indoors site adjacent to the Empire Center without having completed two street projects to improve traffic flow.

Regarding Dick Norton's letter on July 28, “Most residents would support Walmart”: I haven't spoken to many people that support it. I wonder if Mr. Norton is ever at the corner of Buena Vista and San Fernando when the traffic making either a right or left turn is backed up to the freeway. I also wonder if he is aware that Kmart, Sears and Circuit City are closing stores. I can only hope Burbank's won't be next and I find it hard to believe a Walmart would help any of these businesses or their employees.

I wish to thank Mark Kellam for his recent article on the status of the Walmart litigation (“ Walmart case has its trial date set ,” July 25). I am livid that, in my opinion, the union recruited these three women into filing this lawsuit. If they were represented by independent counsel (not UFCWU), I would be less inclined to believe they are just trying to further their special interest (organized labor) disguised as environmental concerns. Protesters dislike Walmart's non-union position and allegedly inferior employee compensation/benefits.

The legal battle to stop a Walmart from opening in Burbank is scheduled to go to trial on Aug. 17, when a judge will consider an injunction seeking to halt renovations at the new store site. The three Burbank residents seeking to stop the renovation of the former Great Indoors site - Shanna Ingalsbee, Katherine Olson and Yvette Ziraldo - have filed a lawsuit demanding that more be done to study the economic and environmental impact of the world's largest retailer moving in next to the Empire Center.