Letter: Target’s impact extends throughout region

EDITOR,
Prior to the last Scotts Valley City Council election, I tried to ask Donna Lind if the council was going to look into the financial impact Target would have on businesses in the entire San Lorenzo Valley. I was rudely interrupted by a very tall policeman who said Ms. Lind didn’t have to speak to me, because I’d said that “the City Council is in the pocket of Target.” 
I said that was a ridiculous statement, but he insisted he’d heard it from two “reliable sources.” Ms. Lind said they were only interested in Scotts Valley, since that’s where Target would be. 
Since the entire San Lorenzo Valley is part of the 5th District and will be directly, and negatively, impacted by Target, I feel it is unconscionable that the council is unconcerned with the effect Target will have on the entire SLV, both in traffic and financial impact. After all, you can’t get to Felton without going through Scotts Valley.
As the owner of a tiny store, Virgo Rising, struggling to survive in this economy after 17 years, I strongly doubt I’d even stay open and try to compete with Target.
Although my merchandise is mostly made in the USA and therefore is of higher quality than Target’s, once people are in Target, they don’t tend to leave and drive to Felton for a gift.
It will be really interesting to see if the City Council will actually consider the citizens of the entire SLV when they make their decision, or if it really is a foregone conclusion, as it seemed at the many meetings where so many people voiced their desire to keep Scotts Valley rural without the many negative impacts of Target. 
While much of Target’s revenue will go to the main company in the Midwest, much more taxes will be lost if the small stores close, as usually happens when a big-box store opens.