Pardon the venting

Lots of press has been given to the possibility of the Hammond Carson Pirie Scott store closing. The mayor has been quoted as saying it is his job to try and retain business' in Hammond, as well as lure new ones, and this is very true. And every article has someone saying how much Carsons' (as it is locally known) means to Hammond. But what does it mean to Hammond? Does it mean jobs? I doubt it, most retail stores pay $7-9 an hour; and besides, how many people work there? Is it a draw to out of towners? Unless Bon-Ton releases demographic information for the store we don't really know. What else is there? Tax base? Yes, if the store closes the city will lose some tax revenue. But isn't the entire site supposed to be rebuilt with incentives given to the developer? So I don't think we're really going to lose much revenue there.
Carsons' is, to my mind, more about tradition and nostalgia than anything else. Taken from a negative point of view, the fight could be seen as a refusal to recognize that times have changed in the last 50 years. Unless the citizens of Hammond realize this fact the city will continue on a downward spiral. We must decide what our city will be in the future. Will we become another Gary? Will we try to transform ourselves into another "bedroom community?" Or will we try to transform from a heavy manufacturing city into other types of production or services?
My vote is for the last option. Let's work to take advantage of Hammonds' location and proud heritage as a hard-working town to bring more transportation-based industries and services to our city.
I am all in favor of Carsons' staying in Hammond, but remember, this may be much ado about nothing. All the rumors started flying when a developer in Schererville (or was it Highland?) produced a concept drawing that had one of the stores with Carsons' name on it. If they stay in Hammond we may never know what effect, if any, all this had on their decision. Don't let the politicos take credit where none is due.