Waltham residents should Boycott Market Basket until construction re-starts at former Polaroid site

I was deeply disturbed to read the breaking news today, Friday, Sept. 6, that all construction at the former Polaroid site has been stopped due to internal struggles within the Demoulas Family, owners of Market Basket supermarkets.

This project is vital to the economic development of the city of Waltham. I agree with Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy that this work stoppage is a “travesty.” To see it languish even for one day is too long and Waltham should not stand for it.

I know from talking with my neighbors that many of them drive to Burlington each week to do their grocery shopping at the Market Basket in that community. I’m calling on my neighbors in Waltham to stop shopping at any Market Basket immediately and shop elsewhere until construction re-starts at the former Polaroid site.

Money talks as we all know. And we, as a community, need to let the Demoulas and Market Basket know that their inability to straighten out their internal issues and their broken commitment to Waltham has consequences that will hurt their bottom line.

I hope this is a boycott that only needs to last one day. I look forward to the development of the former Polaroid site into a flourishing commercial area that adds to our city’s tax base and gives our local consumers more options.

Waltham must stand together now in showing that we as a community will not simply support a company that falters in its commitment to us.

Sincerely,

Carlos Vidal

At-large candidate for Waltham City Council

carlos@carlosforwaltham.com

Twitter: @carlos4waltham

Facebook: Carlos Vidal for Waltham

Cell: (617) 721-7148