Topic: News
JACKSON -- There are no grocery stores standing in Jackson, meaning that citizens will have to go at least eight miles to Ralph's or Reid's in New Ellenton for produce or meat. (Via the Aiken Standard.)
What does Dollar General have that the citizens of this town of 1,680 need? Very little, unless they are going to drink whole milk and eat Pringles and Toast-It pastries. Dollar General doesn't have meat, produce, organic foods, or boxed pizza for that matter.
And with gas prices still hovering near $3.99, people 20 and younger and those 55 and older can ill-afford that kind of unnecessary road trip, even to New Ellenton.
The town of Jackson have some knowledge on the subject of grocery stores. Three years ago, they commissioned a market study on the issue and concluded that there was widespread support.
"It came back overwhelmingly that Jackson could support it," Etherredge said. "I definitely know the people will support it. The town is willing to do its part. Hopefully there is someone out there. The potential is there; it's just got to be the right person."
The owners of both Brinkley's and the Jackson Super Market are willing to work with anyone interested. In the meantime, Etherredge said Jackson could also use a full-time pharmacy and a dry cleaners.
Anyone who is interested in opening a grocery store or any other business in Jackson is encouraged to call Etherredge at 471-2229.
One thing I can say about the closings of Jackson's grocery stores is this: it is the direct result of the failed economic policies of President George W. Bush and Sen. John McCain. Their support for permanent tax cuts for the richest 3,030,000 people has contributed to the closures of Brinkley's and Jackson Super Market. And now the poor people in Jackson are starting to learn exactly what voodoo economics look like, even as Bush and McCain continues to ignore the problems happening in all of our communities -- both big and small.
That is one more reason why the Town of Jackson -- and the American people for that matter -- can ill-afford a McCain-Palin Administration. One more reason to vote against the GOP ticket on November 4.
Posted by jovan29853
at 10:35 AM EDT
