On Saturday June 6, as I walked through the crowded streets of Fortuna, observing the people that came from miles around to shop at the city wide "yard sale", it dawned on me that people would be willing to drive to Fortuna if only there was a reason to.

A few "big box" stores, such as Wal-Mart and Home Depot would do wonders for this city. People would come from Eureka, Garberville and McKinleyville to do their shopping here and the economic benefits of these magnet stores would help most of the struggling specialty shops here. In addition, these stores offer employment to a community that has, essentially, no opportunities.

Granted, one business might be hurt by a Home Depot, and a few others might suffer, but overall the benefits to the city would far outweigh the harm done to a few poorly stocked, poorly run local businesses.

With the main sources for shopping closing in Eureka, this would be a perfect opportunity for the City of Fortuna to become a shopping mecca, which will bring jobs and boost the business of local restaurants and other stores.

We cannot allow ourselves to be blinded by a one or two local business owners who preach loudly against the incursions of the big boxes. Have Walgreen's or Rite-Aid hurt Green's Pharmacy? I don't think so, looking at the land-office business that they do. People will always prefer a small, locally owned store provided it has a good selection, friendly service and reasonable prices.

Yes, we need the big boxes. If you don't like them, don't shop there. But here's a little secret...every week hundreds of Humboldt County residents drive to Santa Rosa, Crescent City, or Redding to do their shopping. What is gained by not have these necessary stores here?

We certainly need that more than we need another low cost housing project by Danco.

David Peebles

Fortuna