PUBLIC NOTICE: Your Attendance Required at Sunland-Tujunga Home Depot Mediation This Saturday

SUNLAND-TUJUNGA COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND HOME DEPOT TO PARTICIPATE IN MEDIATION FACILITATED BY L.A. CITY ATTORNEY

Where: Mount Gleason Middle School, 10965 Mt. Gleason Ave, Sunland, CA

When: Sat., April 26, 2008, l-4 p.m.

Up to 100 Mediators Expected at Highly Anticipated Session; Sunland-Tujunga Residents, No Home Depot Campaign Carry on Struggle Against Invasive Retail on Foothill Blvd.

SUNLAND, Calif. — The No Home Depot Campaign wishes to notify all concerned parties that a mediation dialogue between stakeholders of Sunland-Tujunga and Home Depot, facilitated by the Los Angeles City's Attorney's Office, will take place Sat., April 26, from 1-4pm at Mount Gleason Middle School in Sunland.

This dispute resolution session is the latest chapter in the ongoing conflict between the retailer and members of the foothill community. More than 1,000 residents and stakeholders of Sunland-Tujunga and environs are expected to attend this latest round in their fight to keep Home Depot from their community.

This issue has been in dispute for four years. It began when Home Depot took over the lease of a closed K Mart store on Foothill Blvd., Sunland's only commercial thoroughfare – in a residential area, near a school – and obtained permits to open a giant new store. Sunland-Tujunga residents objected, arguing that they were adequately served by other businesses and that there were already several Home Depot stores a short distance away. The No Home Depot Campaign (NHDC) began dedicating its resources to preventing the store's installation, using all available channels.

The location in question was intended to be a pedestrian-friendly community center that would replace the lost general merchandiser, as was a matter of record in the Community Plan endorsed by the City. Disregarding this Plan, the City issued a permit for cosmetic changes to the property.

It became evident to residents that more than cosmetic work was being done; the NHDC appealed the case all the way to the City Council, causing the permits to be revoked. Home Depot then filed a retaliatory lawsuit against the city for $10 million.

Home Depot subsequently made a deal with the City Attorney's office to put the lawsuit on hold, promising to submit a new building permit. Saturday's dialogue is a part of the stipulation. Avis Ridley-Thomas, Director of the City Dispute Resolution Program, has confirmed there will be close to 100 trained mediators to facilitate the discussion.

NHDC has in the past reproached the retail giant has for bringing in paid flacks and poorly informed "volunteers" (clad in orange) who've been promised work in future Home Depot stores; these "Astroturf" crowds, local activists argue, are a poor attempt to offset the genuine grassroots opposition to Home Depot's agenda. It remains to be seen whether this dispute-resolution session will offer a similar spectacle.

At issue is the environmental impact of a warehouse operation on a small residential neighborhood. But equally at stake is the City's willingness to uphold its own rules rather than bow to pressure from a corporate giant. Can a community actually have a say in its own future? The NHDC hopes Saturday's meeting will help answer this question in the affirmative.