Close to 90 percent of people responding to the March 12, 2009 Argus-Courier online poll would like to see a Friedman's Home Improvement Center open in Petaluma.
Of those responding to the poll, 87.6 percent favored the store, while only 5.7 percent were opposed.
More than half (55.2 percent) of the respondents favor-ed the city agreeing to concessions to allow the store to open. One-third (33.3 percent) were opposed to concessions.
Here are some of the comments from those who responded to the survey:
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"Friedman's is local. No more council excuses."
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"A local company with historic roots. They lost their old home here to a fire. This is a no-brainer."
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"Help these developers move forward. Cut out the roadblocks."
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"If you can't buy it from Rex, it should not be here."
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"It makes economic sense to help projects along that will bring in city revenue and lower the carbon footprint."
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"I have no problem with Friedman's as a business, but how the heck is another hardware store going to make it when Home Depot Yardbirds couldn't? How many years will it take to have another vacant building?"
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"The majority of the council needs to quit pushing its own agenda and do what's best for the overall community."
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"We should always be willing to negotiate and come up with the best package for the city, and the developer/tenant. We need more retail choices in this town."
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"With Yardbirds shutting down, we need a home improvement store. Where are we supposed to buy lumber and drywall?"
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"I think Friedman's is a desirable alternative to a Home Depot at the north end of town or to a Lowe's across from the hospital. I'd want to know that a peninsula park would not be open to later development before making concessions. Keep the FEIA."
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"We need more retail stores in Petaluma. We have been scaring away all new business for too long. This is a locally owned company that wants to build. Let them build! Why are we even thinking about holding back on letting new construction happen in these times? The city needs all the tax revenue it can get. If I were the city of Petaluma, I would pay Friedman's to come here if I had to."
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"Friedman's is an excellent corporate citizen and a truly homegrown business. We need them in Petaluma. I don't think the Lakeville location is the right place for them."
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"This is a great project, and should be approved. We need good projects to be approved. The anti-development people want to stop everything and that is not good for the city."
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"Nobody should get special rights. Everyone should go through the same process. That is only fair."
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"Friedman's " yes. Con-cessions and waivers " no."
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"I would definitely like to see a Friedman's in Petaluma, but they should have to go through the same application process, including an EIR and FEIA, as anyone else wanting to do business in Petaluma."
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"I'm tired of driving to Rohnert Park for a single 2x4. Get with it, Petaluma."
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It would be nice to keep family businesses."
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"This reeks of another backroom deal like the ones that happened here from 2001-2008. Only now, that certain developer only has undue influence on two on the council."
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"Welcome home, Friedman's."
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"Can the city of Petaluma afford to turn away an opportunity to bring revenue into Petaluma? This looks like a win-win situation. Policies were put in place before the economy took a downturn. Elected officials need to be creative to bring more businesses to Petaluma and be proactive in retaining the existing businesses. What other use would this land be developed for?"
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"Let's hope it's not on the same agenda as the Rainier overcrossing."
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"The city should welcome this project and be part of making it happen, not a brick wall in keeping it from happening!"
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"A local home improvement center is much better for economic circulation in the county than a national chain."
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"I am sick and tired of the council looking for ways to stop much-needed projects. The council needs to do what's best for the entire community and stop pushing its own agenda."
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"Keep the park. They should take over Yardbirds."
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"Friedman's home is in Petaluma. They have always been a good company and a resource for the greater community. I can't think of a better store to go into Petaluma."
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"Petaluma still needs the land that the old sewer plant sits on. It would make a perfect place for a police station with its central location. Besides, the city maintenance yard is right there and the police have to go there every day to fuel their cars."
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"Petaluma needs Friedman's."
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"Friedmans " yes! More homes " no! Concessions " no!"
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"The only reason these requests were made is because if it takes over five years for approval. If I were Friedman's, I would definitely pull out."
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"They can move in to the Yardbirds store location."
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"I had to drive to Rohnert Park today for lumber. What would the report show? Let me guess. We need a lumber yard in Petaluma. At one time, we had no theaters in town. We did not need a study to determine a theater would be a benefit. While they are at it, have them build a new fire station next door." ï¿1/2