Final permit issued to Walmart

Craig Stewart, Senior Supervisor for Eleven Western Builders, Inc. pulled the final permit for the construction of the Tehachapi Walmart on July 25 at City Hall. Mayor Pro tem Susan Wiggins was on hand along with Developmental Services Director Jay Schlosser. The almost foot-high roll of plans for the project was ceremoniously returned to Stewart stamped with the approval of the City Planning Department.

Stewart said that he spent the last year in Ridgecrest where he supervised the building of the new Walmart there. Schlosser said that City personnel will be monitoring the construction progress with regular meetings approximately every two weeks. About 10 days ago, Eleven Western Builders, Inc. sent a letter to all the neighbors informing them of the intended start date and asking for their patience during construction. Schlosser said that he was impressed by the company's willingness to listen to community concerns.

"I couldn't be happier," said Mayor Pro-tem Wiggins. City Manager Greg Garrett, who also witnessed the moment, said that "this is the next chapter of the Walmart story" adding that he looks forward to a prosperous relationship with the company and to the increased shopping opportunities created by the addition of Walmart.