LIBERTY -- Wal-Mart officials are downplaying a disagreement that could temporarily delay the construction of the proposed store in Liberty Plaza on state Route 193.
Wal-Mart altered a water tap agreement sent to it by Youngstown city officials that would have required the giant discount store chain to, among other things, have 25 percent of its Liberty workforce to be Youngstown residents.
In addition, according to Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams, the store chain took out a portion of the contract that said it would be responsible for water costs during construction, as well as a portion that indicates the work on the project would be subject to inspection.
``If it (the Liberty Wal-Mart) has been delayed it is because of the incompetence of someone in Liberty or someone out of Wal-Mart,' Williams said during a hearing a the Chevy Center Tuesday night. ``All Wal-Mart had to do was fill out the water tap application. This is the same application that has been in use for almost 20 years. We have not changed it. We have not modified it.'
Wal-Mart official Jason Whetzel said Wednesday it is not unusual for two sides in contract negotiations to clarify various issues in respect to the agreement.
``We are working to resolve any outstanding issues,' Whetzel said. "This project is going to create jobs in Liberty township, in Youngstown, and throughout the Mahoning Valley.'
However, Whetzel added, that in its hiring the store chain will be seeking "...the best qualified employees to serve our customers."
Whetzel would not discuss specific issues dealing with the contract language.
The company is still taking bids for the construction project.