Hurray for Hercules

HERCULES (AP) -- "A San Francisco suburb voted Tuesday night to use the power of eminent domain to keep Wal-Mart Stores Inc. off a piece of city land after hearing dozens of residents who accused the big-box retailer of engaging in scare tactics to force its way into the bedroom community.

"The overflow crowd that packed into the tiny Hercules City Hall cheered after the five-person City Council voted unanimously to use the unusual tactic to seize the l7 acres where Wal-Mart intended to build a shopping complex. . .

"City officials [said] that buying the land was acceptable to ensure it was developed to the community's liking and fit with the overall plans for the city.

"Opponents worried that Wal-Mart would drive local retailers out of business, tie up traffic and wreck the small-town flavor of this city of 24,000. . . ."