Target CEO Steinhafel helped nix eating disorder clinic

[Ian David]

Target CEO Steinhafel helped nix eating disorder clinic

Earlier this year, an eating disorder clinic called the Emily Program was attempting to open a new facility in an affluent part of Orono, a town of 7,500 people west of Minneapolis. But opposition from some neighbors, as well as the influence of Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel — who has drawn national criticism for orchestrating political contributions that go to Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer — helped kill the facility.

It was supposed to be a ten-bed treatment facility in a former private school. Initially, the program enjoyed the support of many city officials, including the mayor.

Dirk Miller, the executive director of Emily’s Program, told the Star Tribune (in some fantastic journalism by Heron Marquez Estrada) that he was shocked at Steinhafel’s stance, partly because Steinhafel attended an early informational meeting about the project and told program workers: “You people are doing God’s work.”

Despite the earlier public statements and his service on foundation boards that operate centers for troubled youth in other neighborhoods, Steinhafel quickly changed his tune. Steinhafel spoke against the program at community hearings, wrote a letter to city officials and hired a lawyer from the politically connected firm Faegre and Benson, who put pressure on the city and mayor to reject the organization’s permit.

More:
http://minnesotaindependent.com/62970/target-ceo-steinhafel-helped-nix-eating-disorder-clinic

Hat-tip to: http://twitter.com/BoycottTarget/status/20581045939

[applegrove]

1. Don't they just give anorexics zyprexa or other [b]weight gainning[/b] antipsychotics?

I thought how they treat the illness had changed.

[nightrain]

2. no, folks need actual psychotherapy treatment.

[Canuckistanian]

3. Why does he give a fuck about this?

Less revenue at his stores? Revenge against his political foes? Petty political battles?

A CEO's political power is nothing to be sneezed at. It's practically "God's Word" these days. Why did he do it?

[mascarax]

4. Good questions!

Does he live nearby so it's a "not in my backyard" (George Carlin) whine?

We're still boycotting. This guy is very bad. And having time to fight a 10 person treatment center...hiring lawyers?! Very strange. And very power trip.

[Morning Dew]

7. He lives across the street from the proposed location

http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/tgt_clinic-target-ceo-pressuring-orono-gregg-steinhafel-has-told-the-city-a-former-school-across-the-s-829034.html

An eating disorder program
is claiming that the CEO of Target Corp. is exerting pressure to block one of its clinics from opening across the street from the executive's home in Orono near Lake Minnetonka.

Dirk Miller, executive director of the Emily Program, said Gregg Steinhafel and his attorney exerted pressure on the city and Mayor Jim White to block the facility's application for a conditional-use permit at a former private school.

Miller said that after Steinhafel's attorney called Orono, White then called the Emily program and said "we have to pull the plug" on the application.

The contentious battle, which predates Steinhafel's public involvement, is expected to resume Monday night at an Orono City Council meeting. Dozens of neighbors, opponents and supporters of the program are expected to pack the meeting. The council has twice tabled the issue.

[Canuckistanian]

9. Aha

He doesn't want the presence of obese people lowering his property value. Got it.

[silverojo]

5. And people think Wal-Mart's bad?

Wal-Mart has done some bad sh*t over the years, but no more than any other corporation. And they certainly haven't taken steps to promote anti-gay candidates, or to deny treatment to anorexics, AFAIK. WTH is up with that?!?

I stopped shopping at Target about 10 years ago, when they started their insane policy of "you can only return items if you have a receipt, and if the moon looks purple, and if we're in the mood." I guess I was just ahead of my time in boycotting them. :rofl:

[Ian David]

8. Wal-Mart is still worse than Target.

www.WakeUpWalmart.com

[Initech]

6. The CEOs of this country are part of some bizarre version of Project Mayhem from Fight Club