RIO GRANDE: (Wed. 6.13) Six weeks ago, Wal-Mart’s Store 3337 in Grande Center Shopping Center was empty; today it opens. Last evening, inside, the atmosphere was pep-rally-like, with managers and store associates cheering. Outside on Route 9, United Food 
and Commercial Workers rallied against the nation’s largest retailer.
Beneath a red, white and blue balloon arch on a small stage, Assistant Manager Steve Gergerly rallied the crowd of about 300, which included associates’ families and Middle Township municipal employes, volunteer firefighters and rescue squad personnel.
Pastor Rudy Sheptock of the Lighthouse Church offered the invocation.
The Wal-Mart store would be “the town square of today,” he said. People would “touch one another and build one another up,” he added in his prayer.
“Beyond dollars and cents, we are looking for good things in this part of the county,” Sheptock said.
A color guard of veterans from American Legion Post 198, Court House posted the colors while Macie Acosta sang the Star Spangled Banner.
Then it was Manager Delton Lopez’s turn to address the crowd, “Our customers are number one.”
His statement drew a round of applause.
Middle Township Mayor F. Nathan Doughty said Lopez was “a great guy” who
would lead the 350-400 employees.
“This is a wonderful addition to the community,” said Doughty.
He added that the municipality was “working on a few programs” with the store to benefit the township.
Rick Rixey spoke on behalf of Middle Township Chamber of Commerce and said Wal-Mart would “be an asset to bridge the gap between Court House and this business district.”
He said the Christmas in Court House, held in early December, would be Christmas in Middle Township this year, with help from Wal-Mart.
Then appeared the oversized donation checks, for photographs. Recipients then received small envelopes with real checks for their community groups.
The following received donations:
Animal Outreach, Cape May County Animal Shelter, each, $1,000.
American Legion Post 198, Wetlands Institute, Center for Community Arts, and Christ Child Society of Cape May County, each, $2,000.
Love of Linda Cancer Fund, $3,500.
Middle Township Ambulance Corps and Rio Grande Volunteer Fire Co., each $4,000.
Rio Grande Rescue Squad, Middle Township Recreation Department and Middle Township Police Department, each $5,000.
Meanwhile, on the sidewalk on both sides of Route 9 in front of the store, about 50 members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 152, Hammonton protested Wal-Mart’s business practices.
Attired in yellow shirts the union members hoisted yellow signs toward motorists, some honked approval, other jeered.
Those U.F.C.W. members were from Acme, Shop Rite, and Stop and Shop, as well as health care professionals from nursing homes.
Gerald Chudoff, a representative for Local 152, said Wal-Mart is “the state’s eighth largest employer, made $12 billion in profits, yet 47 percent of their workers lives below the national poverty level of $17,126.”
Middle Township Police Chief Joseph Evangelista said the union informed the department of its planned protest.
They were asked to stay off the shopping center grounds, and keep their protest on the sidewalk.
The union members said Sen. Nicholas Asselta (R-1st) and Assemblyman Nelson Albano (D-1st) had stopped to express their support for the rally. CLICK HERE to watch video.
and Commercial Workers rallied against the nation’s largest retailer.Beneath a red, white and blue balloon arch on a small stage, Assistant Manager Steve Gergerly rallied the crowd of about 300, which included associates’ families and Middle Township municipal employes, volunteer firefighters and rescue squad personnel.
Pastor Rudy Sheptock of the Lighthouse Church offered the invocation.
The Wal-Mart store would be “the town square of today,” he said. People would “touch one another and build one another up,” he added in his prayer.
“Beyond dollars and cents, we are looking for good things in this part of the county,” Sheptock said.
A color guard of veterans from American Legion Post 198, Court House posted the colors while Macie Acosta sang the Star Spangled Banner.
Then it was Manager Delton Lopez’s turn to address the crowd, “Our customers are number one.”His statement drew a round of applause.
Middle Township Mayor F. Nathan Doughty said Lopez was “a great guy” who
would lead the 350-400 employees.
“This is a wonderful addition to the community,” said Doughty.
He added that the municipality was “working on a few programs” with the store to benefit the township.
Rick Rixey spoke on behalf of Middle Township Chamber of Commerce and said Wal-Mart would “be an asset to bridge the gap between Court House and this business district.”
He said the Christmas in Court House, held in early December, would be Christmas in Middle Township this year, with help from Wal-Mart.
Then appeared the oversized donation checks, for photographs. Recipients then received small envelopes with real checks for their community groups.
The following received donations:
Animal Outreach, Cape May County Animal Shelter, each, $1,000.
American Legion Post 198, Wetlands Institute, Center for Community Arts, and Christ Child Society of Cape May County, each, $2,000.
Love of Linda Cancer Fund, $3,500.
Middle Township Ambulance Corps and Rio Grande Volunteer Fire Co., each $4,000.
Rio Grande Rescue Squad, Middle Township Recreation Department and Middle Township Police Department, each $5,000.
Meanwhile, on the sidewalk on both sides of Route 9 in front of the store, about 50 members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 152, Hammonton protested Wal-Mart’s business practices.Attired in yellow shirts the union members hoisted yellow signs toward motorists, some honked approval, other jeered.
Those U.F.C.W. members were from Acme, Shop Rite, and Stop and Shop, as well as health care professionals from nursing homes.
Gerald Chudoff, a representative for Local 152, said Wal-Mart is “the state’s eighth largest employer, made $12 billion in profits, yet 47 percent of their workers lives below the national poverty level of $17,126.”
Middle Township Police Chief Joseph Evangelista said the union informed the department of its planned protest.
They were asked to stay off the shopping center grounds, and keep their protest on the sidewalk.
The union members said Sen. Nicholas Asselta (R-1st) and Assemblyman Nelson Albano (D-1st) had stopped to express their support for the rally. CLICK HERE to watch video.
Photo Information:
Top: Wal-Mart Store 3337 in Grande Center Shopping Center.
Second right: Pastor Rudy Sheptock delivers invocation.
Left: Store Manager Delton Lopez
Third right: Middle Township Mayor F. Nathan Doughty
Second left: U.F.C.W. Local 152 members protest on Route 9.
All Photos by Al Campbell
