For Immediate Release:

Contact: Joe Barrett Chairman, NHDC
Website: http://www.sunlandtujunga.org/council

"12 Hours To Save Our Town" Sunland- Tujunga Residents will be out in force tomorrow at a sidewalk picket demonstration to show support for Council member Wendy Greuel, who has stated her unity with the community against the opening of a Home Depot at 8040 Foothill Blvd. in Tujunga.


"Billion Dollar Company vs. the people of Sunland/Tujunga"



Tujunga - September 7, 2005 -- The No Home Depot Campaign of Sunland-Tujunga is presenting a sidewalk picket demonstration in front of the old K-Mart property at 8040 Foothill Blvd. in Sunland on Wednesday Sept. 7 from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. to display community opposition to the proposed opening of a Home Depot store at that location.

The group is calling the demonstration "12 Hours To Save Our Town."

The group is gathering to show support for Council member Wendy Greuel, who has stated her unity with the community against the opening of a Home Depot at this location.

The timing of this event is planned to highlight Council member
Greuel's scheduled meeting with the Home Depot representatives on
Sept. 8.

Home Depot has met with a community team of representatives on three different occasions, in which they have been unsuccessful in trying to gain community support for their project.

Sunland -Tujunga residents are very worried that Home Depot will try to use this meeting to circumvent the Sunland -Tujunga community and attempt to strike a deal

Wendy has come out on record opposed to Home Depot, however, because the stakes are so high for our residents, the community is gravely concerned.

A recent survey in our community showed 96% opposed to Home Depot opening at that location.

The increased traffic will overload already congested streets. Most Home Depots are built in industrial areas, with a buffer zone between them and residential housing. This store is surrounded by homes, families, and a mobile home park that houses mainly seniors.

In very close proximity are 2 schools, a preschool and a church. There are already 4 Home Depots within 15 minutes driving, one of which is only 7 minutes away!

The community is extremely concerned about Home Depot driving many of our Mom & Pop Hardware and home services stores out of business. In a town that already has boarded up storefronts.

The Sunland -Tujunga community does not have a general merchandise store, like a Target or Sears to meet the needs of our residents. Currently people must travel to Burbank, Glendale, or Valencia to do their shopping, sending our local dollars out of town and thus further exacerbating our local economic conditions.

This extended travel is also a burden on our seniors, and mothers with young children, and anyone that utilizes public transport.

The Sunland - Tujunga community says, "NO TO HOME DEPOT!"

The day-long vigil will kick off on Sept. 7, 2005 starting at 7:00 a.m. to 7pm in front of the K-Mart building at 8040 Foothill Blvd. in Sunland. At 7pm there will be a final rally to celebrate and close the day's activities. Media is invited.

The event will be staffed throughout the day by No Home Depot
campaign members. For more information visit the web site at
www.no2homedepot.com or call Joe Barrett @ (818) 352-2293 or (818)
438-7076 or Abby Diamond at (818) 399-2997

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