The Aberville Wally is truly a sight to behold.

I grew up here for the first 15 years of my life, moved away for a number of years, and then returned as an adult. When I left nearly 20 years ago I didn't think the socio/economic situation could get much worse in this town,.......... I was wrong.

The cheap cost of living here is certainly a determining factor in the number of dirtballs this area seems to attract. Add to that I-5 Corridor County social workers encouraging public benefit recipients to move to the area to make their dollars go further and it's pretty easy to see the gradual transition. Regardless, I've always said that after spending time all over the country there are no better people than those I've known all my life right here in the Harbor. The place has seen better days, of that there is no doubt. I'd still choose to raise my children here as opposed to the city any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

The retail activity in this town has moved around a few times. Started off in the downtown sector and moved to the south side with the advent of the South Shore Mall, which is now a ghost town. Enter Walmart and the Olympic Gateway Plaza, what was formerly Ernst and the Wishkah Mall, is now the hub of retail activity in the area.

Wally World arguments aside people are going to shop where they want to shop. Hate the place myself and buy all my stuff at Dennis Co. even though I'll be spending more $ there. The significant other uses the same strategy Chuck's wife does because the savings makes too much sense. I'm fine with it so long as she doesn't ask me to step foot in there. Well, that's what I say anyway. She'll drag me along, I'll complain like a child, life moves on.

I can certainly understand the frustrations of the mom and pops. No one wants to see their community's small businesses fold.