About 100 residents of the Islands subdivision packed the Gilbert Town Council meeting Tuesday to protest a Goodwill store coming to their neighborhood.
Resident Bernie Combs spoke for the group, telling the council that residents feared for the safety of their children. "We do not believe Goodwill’s marketing hype, that it’s just like a Mervyn’s store," Combs said. "Mervyn’s does not have trash delivered to its back door and its front door 24 hours a day."
When Combs began speaking, he asked Island residents for their show of support by raising their hands. The council chambers filled with raised hands. Residents have started a petition and an e-mail campaign to protest the store planned at Warner and McQueen roads.
Town officials have said there’s nothing they can do because Goodwill has already signed a lease. But Mayor Steve Berman said Tuesday that he’s still open to ideas from Island residents.
"We’ll do what we can’" he told them. "We understand what you’re saying better than you believe," he said.
