Not There Benefit Concert
ECHO MAGAZINE - 07/07/05
by Christy Bertrand
If you're a Guelph resident, you'd be hard pressed not to bump into a conversation about the Wal-Mart mega store that is trying to bulldoze it's way into the north end of Guelph.
In 1995, Wal-Mart announced plans to build a 135,000 sq. ft. store between two historic cemeteries and the century-old Ignatius Jesuit retreat centre and organic farm. The application did not conform to the city's official community development plan and was refused. But, rather than accepting the decision of Guelph's citizens, Wal-Mart unleashed a ten-year legal siege that has cost the local taxpayers and supporters over $1,000,000. In 2004 the city buckled under the pressure and reversed its position. The group Residents for Sustainable Development is now the only official opposition and faces an oppressive financial burden as it works to protect Guelph and it's sacred spaces against the continued force of the world's richest corporation.
In walk Sam Turton and the Not There Benefit collaborators. On Thursday, July 14, Chalmers United Church will host a concert and cd release party in support of the Residents for Sustainable Development's opposition. All proceeds will be going to their legal battle against Wal-Mart.
Not There is a compilation of Guelph artists and seeks to raise awareness about, and money for, the Wal-Mart battle. The title track features 12 different artists expressing Turton's lyrics, a protest song aimed directly at Wal-Mart: "World is round, box is square / Stick it in the south, we don't care / At 6 and 7 don't you dare / No, no, no, not there."
James Gordon, Tannis Slimmon, Ken Brown, Sam Turton, Well Charged, Norman Liota, Andrew McPherson, House of Velvet, Jiwani, Passenger, Nonie Crete, Sandy Horne, Jesse Stewart, Dave Teichrob and the Plaster Cowboys each contribute tracks that express their concerns for Guelph, it's community and the magnitude of Guelph's David and Goliath battle against consumerism and greed.
What seems to be getting lost in the battle is the smaller voice, the one that is trying to remind people exactly where Wal-Mart would choose to build a giant grey box store, surrounded by a vast grey parking lot. Guelph citizens who would welcome Wal-Mart need only go to 6 and 7 and take a stroll through the cemeteries to understand why this battle isn't as simple as: Wal-Mart, yes or no? Would the founding citizen's who rest in those graves beside the Jesuit retreat centre, or those visiting the centre itself, feel at ease meditating to the sounds of cars and blue light specials?
Ken Brown's significant contribution and track "Learn to Behave" attempts to simplify what's happening: "The idea of their store being in Guelph didn't bother me too much. But when I heard people saying I was anti-Wal-Mart when what I actually said was I didn't like it being rammed up against the Jesuits.... Well, that's bullying for profit - and it has to stop. Now is a good time, and here is a good place."
It's been a long battle, and it's not over. Pick up the cd and join the Residents for Sustainable Development at the benefit on July 14 to preserve Guelph's heritage and support healthy growth and development. Stand up against reckless consumerism because though Wal-Mart is big, Sam Turton reminds us "all empires fall."
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