Since you quoted me, sort of, allow me the opportunity to be clear. I think the City is entirely too involved in real estate dealings.

The fact that they even own the property in question is a past mistake.

If the current Council makes a deal too favorable to Wal-Mart, they will have used public funds to the detriment of existing retailers in our area.

I have no opinion about Wal-Mart itself. If they can afford the property, pay a fair market price for it and can get their building permit past the insane planning gauntlet at our City Hall, then who am I to question this?

As for Mayor Uso, the $80 vs. $100 analogy fails, because the money in question is public money.

In San Juan Capistrano, the City has a habit of paying too much and asking too little when it comes to real estate.

— Jim Reardon, San Juan Capistrano

Since you've made it this far,

You are obviously connected to your community and value good journalism. As an independent and local nonprofit, our news is accessible to all, regardless of what they can afford. Our newsroom centers on Orange County’s civic and cultural life, not ad-driven clickbait. Our reporters hold powerful interests accountable to protect your quality of life. But it’s not free to produce. It depends on donors like you.
Make a tax-deductible donation

About Voice of OC: Mission | Editorial Policies | Contact Us | Funding | Privacy Policy

Join the conversation: In lieu of comments, we encourage readers to engage with us across a variety of mediums. Join our Facebook discussion. Message us via our website or staff page. Send us a secure tip. Share your thoughts in a community opinion piece.