"Mr. Scott has admitted publicly that Wal-Mart made a mistake in Inglewood. It's time for Wal-Mart to correct that mistake by showing the people of Inglewood -- and the American public -- that Wal-Mart is truly committed to strong, healthy communities," said California Assembly member and Inglewood resident Jerome Horton, who will lead the delegation, in a news release.
The group plans an 11 a.m. press conference at the Embassy Suites hotel in Rogers.
Inglewood voters defeated a Wal-Mart-sponsored ballot measure a year ago that would have allowed the Bentonville-based retailer to open a Supercenter there. Scott later said publicly the company made a mistake in circumventing the city's normal process for development and going directly to voters.
Wal-Mart spokesman Bob McAdam said the company heard rumors last week the Inglewood group was coming to Bentonville but had no first-hand knowledge of the visit.
"They have not contacted us. It's interesting they want to meet but haven't actually called. As we've said since the Inglewood vote, we want to be interactive with the community," he said.
Horton said in a telephone call late Monday afternoon Wal-Mart had contacted someone in his delegation and offered to meet with them.
"We're contemplating whether that is entrapment or a sincere offer," Horton quipped. "Wal-Mart has a first right of refusal on the same land (in Inglewood), and so we're coming to Wal-Mart with an offer it can't refuse. If Wal-Mart is willing to be a good employer, we're willing to work with them."
Horton said his group was mainly concerned over the impact a Wal-Mart store might have on the environment and also the wages and health benefits offered by the company.
McAdam said Wal-Mart has not finalized any plans for the Inglewood store.
"When we do get plans prepared, we most certainly intend to talk with the community and get their input," he said.
The Inglewood delegation's visit coincides with Wal-Mart's hosting a media conference today and Wednesday at the Embassy Suites. The conference has been seen by some -- including unions -- as an attempt by the company to improve its image. Wal-Mart has been under attack recently by unions and communities for what they say is the company's low wages and health benefits.
The AFL-CIO held a teleconference Monday for the media that included state officials and others who directed criticism against the company over its wages and treatment of female workers.
Most of the issues raised by those who took part in the teleconference have been covered extensively by the media before. AFL-CIO spokeswoman Christi Setzer said the union was "attempting to get out the real story" behind Wal-Mart's claims.
"The real story being the impact behind their policies, their programs -- the impact both on workers and the communities where Wal-Mart (operates)," she said.
Setzer said the AFL-CIO had nothing to do with the Coalition for a Better Inglewood visit.
