Regarding the July 2nd e-mail from Mr. Victor Rodriguez, the plain message I read is that 'the magazines at the checkout lanes have a strong demand!' Therefore we need to send him a stronger message that we want them out! (Are you with me? Sign a petition.)
On July 2nd, I mailed to Mr. Rodriguez at HEB Corporate 3 pictures of magazines with pictures of minimally and inappropriately dressed men and women so he could see what I have been talking about.
On July 3rd, I met with Jay Woodard, the new Store Director at HEB #29 at Wurzbach & I-10. (He has replaced Mr. Mike Moore, previously mentioned in my June article.) I gave him a full briefing on my conversations with Mr. Moore and Mr. Rodriguez. He was attentive and respectful and said he would speak to Mr. Sixto Elizondo, the Unit director at our store, and get back with me. I told him I would be checking in with him weekly for updates.
I will report any progress to you.
Melly Trakas
Activities for July 6 - 12
On July 8, I spoke with Mr. Jay Woodard at the Wurzbach and I-10 HEB (# 29).
I informed Mr. Woodard that I had received a clarification call from Mr. Victor Rodriguez at the HEB corporate office.
Mr. Rodriguez clarified the meaning of his prior email. He said he may have misled me as to how the store directors are empowered.
He stated to the effect that the store directors do not have the power to change the checkout lanes design.
He did say that the directors have the power to do some things.
"(F)or magazine complaints in the past, magazines have been relocated and buyers/vendors have been called and put on notice."
I had pulled these 7 magazines which showed varying amounts of skin, especially breasts/cleavage, and the word sex on half of them:
Women's Health July/Aug '08 - picture and words
Cosmopolitan Aug '08 - picture and words
Low Rider Aug '08 - picture and words
TV Guide June 30-July13 '08 - picture
Vanity Fair July '08 - picture
More July/Aug '08 - picture
Redbook June '08 - picture is borderline
After showing Jay these magazines, I asked if he would relocate these magazines as Victor had said. He answered, "No, there are too many." Then I asked if he would call the buyer/vendor or magazine person (whoever the appropriate person was) to put them on notice because of the pictures and words. He said, "No I won't, but I'll call Corporate and ask them to."
Melly Trakas
Activities for July 13 - 19
Jul 15, 2008 - I looked at all the checkout stand magazine racks at HEB #29 (Wurzbach and I-10). I found 11 magazines with inappropriate pictures and/or words:
Latino Future - July/Aug '08 (picture)
Bridal Guide - July/ Aug '08 (picture)
Elle - Aug '08 (picture)
O The Oprah Magazine - Aug '08 (picture)
Siempre Mujer - June/July '08 (picture and words)
Low Rider - Aug '08 (picture and words)
Vanidades - July 15 '08 (words)
Women's Health - July/Aug '08 (picture and words)
Vanity Fair - Aug '08 (picture)
Modern Bride - Aug/Sept '08 (picture and words)
Cosmopolitan - Aug '08 (picture and words)
Fitness - August '08 (picture)
I spoke with Rodney Rountree, the other Store Director for HEB #29. I briefed him on my story and my quest for purifying some of the check out lane magazine racks and converting them to Family Friendly.
I asked him to relocate these magazines, as directed by Victor Rodriguez. He told me he could not. He said he could voice 'my complaint and request' to Corporate and that relocation was their decision. I then asked if he would call the vendor/buyer (the appropriate magazine person) and put them on notice. He said he could not, but that he would again contact Corporate. He explained that the voice that speaks with the buyers and vendors is Corporate, not the Directors.
Jul 16, 2008 - Spoke with Victor Rodriguez, Corporate, on the phone regarding the answers from the Directors of HEB #29 last week and this week. He said the Directors were forwarding my complaints and requests to him and they in turn were being shared with HEB Senior Leaders, the Vice President, and Public Affairs. About the magazines, he reiterated that they do not sell full frontal nudity, but there was no comment as to selling partial nudity.
At this time there is no stated intent to relocate the magazines or call the vendors.
I was assured that if any thing was done on this or piloting some different checkout stands, I would be notified.
Towards the end of our conversation, Victor asked twice how many signatures I have on my petition drive.
I did not give him a number, but I did say I have had contacts with 4 churches, a Catholic Bookstore, a Radio person having interests in moral issues,
and 2 TV hosts about the petition drive to clean up the check out lanes and make them Family Friendly.
Melly Trakas
Activities for July 20 - 26
1. Petition signing (week 2) at Oak Ridge Baptist Church - Pastor Bill Shockley.
2. Jul 24, 2008 - I met with Sixto, Unit Director of HEB #29 and showed him the magazines listed below and asked that he write them up and send in a formal complaint about "the revealing pictures and the word 'sex' on many of the front covers." The complaint is supposed to go to Corporate with a request for Family Friendly checkout lanes and putting the vendors on notice for offensive covers.
3. Jul 25, 2008 - I was invited to speak on the Adam Mc Manus radio show 680 AM station at 3pm on seeking Family Friendly checkout lanes at HEB because of offensive magazine displays.
4. Petition being signed by HEB customers in parts of West San Antonio.
5. The petition drive moves from local (Wurzbach and I-10) to city wide.
6. Jul 25, 2008 - Sent a letter with pictures of offensive magazine covers, to HEB Corporate, attn Victor Rodriguez. (See link under 'Correspondence'.)
Melly Trakas
July 29, 2008
I received a call from Bill Anderson, Vice President (VP) of General Merchandise (GM) at HEB Corporate. He said he was calling because he had heard and read of my magazine concerns and request for Family Friendly Checkout lanes. He said he wanted to personally hear from me and get a better sense and understanding.
I reviewed the checkout lanes issues:
Problem of magazine covers with revealing pictures of men and women, and the word(s) sex on the covers as well.
Lack of Family Friendly checkout lanes.
Solution seen at Giant Grocery store in Chantilly, VA
My request for a choice of checkout lanes that perhaps could be named Buddy Checkout lanes, where HEB's Buddy products could displayed/marketed.
Talked of societal concerns of air pollution, noise pollution, and global warming, and then said, "What about moral pollution? That the magazines are displayed right near the candy!"
Acknowledged and praised HEB's obvious concern and interest in children with various Buddy products (food, vitamins, school supplies, etc.), Buddy field trips, Buddy promotions, Buddy community activities, i.e., like at the San Antonio rodeo. I asked if perhaps HEB had overlooked the area of the magazine racks that are displayed near the candy at the checkout lanes and its impact on children.
I stated that the checkout lane magazine racks at WalMart, Target, and Sun Harvest don't have the volume of magazines as HEB and that they seem to be a bit selective as to what is to what is displayed. AND MOST OF ALL, none of these stores market/call themselves Family Friendly.
I explained that the petition drive I have going is for customers to have a means of expressing their concern about the magazine Racks and their desire for a Family Friendly choice to checkout at.
I shared that the week of July 20-25, the petition drive had gone from local (#29) to city wide. Other West parts of the city were collecting signatures, and Adam Mc Manus of 860AM radio had me on as a guest on July 25th at 3pm about the petition Drive.
I explained that the Vance Jackson Neighborhood Association (VJNI) supports my concern and petition drive and has allowed me to post my article, petition forms, and weekly updates on their Website, as well as their mailing address to receive mailed in petitions.
I explained I've been speaking with various church leaders to get support in signing petitions after Church services.
I shared that I take pictures nearly every week of offensive magazine covers. The main reason is to send them in to Corporate so that they can see exactly what I'm talking about. I told him I had not seen a sign saying no picture taking, so wanted to confirm that this was ok. He said it usually is based on the nature/reason of the picture taking, but to double check with my store director.
I also revealed that I had been asked to speak again on the Petition drive on another radio station and was also welcomed To speak on a local television in October to solicit more signatures.
I let him know I had once been an employee of HEB 25+ years ago and know that HEB checkout lanes did not look the way they do today! Also that I had been a customer for the same amount of time and would prefer to keep it that way! But that already my shopping amount has changed from $160 -180/wk to $20-50 as a result of the offensive content of the racks and the lack of Family Friendly lanes.
I told Mr. Anderson this is how important the subject is to me. I told him initially, I was content to just look the other way and not participate by looking or buying. But now, as a gift of parenting and my faith, I had been called to do more.
Mr. Anderson spoke of gratitude for my sharing my concern and ideas. He voiced that he too was a father of young children and this was important to him too. He stated that he would take this matter up with other Corporate members. He stated that Family Friendly checkout lanes are not a new concept, and that perhaps it's time to re-visit it. He also stated that he meets with the magazine publishers regularly. Additionally, that the checkout lanes have various 'rolling contracts' (magazine, candy, etc.) and that some contracts were almost up. He also stated that he looks at the magazine covers regularly as part of his job.
In the end, he again said he appreciated my taking an interest and taking a stand for what I believe.
Melly Trakas
August 10-16
I filled out customer comment cards for the following magazine covers at checkout lanes:
Shape - Sep '08 (pic)
Life and Style - Aug 18 '08 (pic)
In Touch - Aug 18 '08 (pic and sex word)
Self - Aug '08 (pic and sex words)
TV Notas - July 29 '08 (pic)
Low Rider - Sep '08 (pic)
Low Rider Arte - Aug/Sep '08 (pic)
People (Espanole) - Sep '08 (pic)
Fitness - Sep '08 (pic and sex word)
Women's Health - Sep '08 (pic and sex word)
Latino Future - Jul/Aug '08 (pic)
Good Housekeeping - Sep '08 (pic borderline)
Cosmopolitan - Sep '08 (pic and sex words)
Glamour - Sep '08 (sex words)
In Style - Fall '08 (sex word)
Prevention - Sep '08 (pic)
Elle - Aug '08 (pic)
Vanity Fair - Aug '08 (pic)
Buenhogar - Aug '08 (pic)
Mujer - Aug/Sep '08 (pic and sex word)
I asked that the buyers be put on notice because of offensive covers and that the magazines be relocated away from the checkout lanes and aisles. (There are magazines by the shampoo and cosmetics as well.) Again I asked for Family Friendly Checkout Lanes.
I spoke with Sixto Elizondo, Unit Director, at HEB 29 about the above also asked for approval of picture taking of magazines mainly to send copies to Corporate so they can see the magazine covers with my list. He approved my picture taking.
I also told him I had noticed a partial change toward a Family Friendly Checkout lane at Register #13 and voiced appreciation.
Melly Trakas
Aug. 17-23, 2008
1. The following are the offensive magazines of the week:
TV Notas - Week 30 (pic)
Low Rider Art - Aug/Sep '08 (pic)
Women's Health - Sep '08 (pic & sex word)
Cosmopolitan (span) - Aug '08 (pic & sex word)
Self - Sep '08 (pic & sex word)
Oxygen - Oct '08 (pic)
Mujer - Aug/Sep '08 (pic & sex word)
Modern Bride - Aug/Sep '08 (pic & sex word)
Elle - Sep '08 (pic & sex word)
Mira - Aug 18 '08 (pic)
People (span) - Sep '08 (pic)
More - Jul/Aug '08 (pic)
Shape - Sep '08 (pic)
In Touch - Aug 25, '08 (pic)
Glamour - Sep '08 (sex words)
In Style - Aug '08 (sex words)
In style Makeover - Fall '08 (sex words)
Cosmopolitan - Sep '08 (sex words)
2. I reviewed the above stack of magazines with management at HEB #29 (Wurzbach and I-10), requested that they send this list to corporate HEB so buyers/vendors could be put on notice, and requested relocation of magazines away from checkout lanes.
3. I noticed a change at checkout lane #13 that was family oriented. I will ask for labeling as such and for its open hours to be posted.
4. On Aug 21, 2008, I sent similar letters to Mr. Bill Anderson, Vice Pres. General Merchandise and Mr. Victor Rodriguez, Manager, Customer Relations, Corp at corporate HEB. The letters included the large number of zip codes of people that have signed thus far and the cities they are from and also my own list of offensive magazines and reasons
5. I sent in pictures of offensive magazine covers at the checkout stands, as well as the display rack at the make-up shampoo aisle.
6. Finally, WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS! Keep getting and sending in signatures. Thanks to all who have signed and sent in. There is a new petition added specifically for children with this concern as well. The petition only asks name and age for security reasons.
Melly Trakas
Aug. 24-30, 2008
1. The following is the list of inappropriate magazine covers at the checkout stands:
Low Rider - Oct '08 (pic)
Low Rider Readers Ride - #3 (pic)
Women's Health - Sep '08 (pic & sex word)
Cosmopolitan (span) - Aug '08 (pic & sex word)
Self - Sep '08 (pic & sex word)
Oxygen - Oct '08 (pic)
Modern Bride - Aug/Sep '08 (pic & sex word)
Elle - Sep '08 (pic & sex word)
Mira - Sep 1 '08 (pic)
People Style Watch - Sep '08 (sex word)
Shape - Sep '08 (pic)
Glamour - Sep '08 (sex words)
In style Makeover - Fall '08 (sex words)
Cosmopolitan - Sep '08 (sex words)
Lucky - Sep '08 (sex words)
OK! - Sep 1 '08 (pic)
I asked to please call vendors and put them on notice and to relocate these with away from registers. Also I asked for Family Friendly Lanes at our HEB at Wurzbach and all San Antonio HEBs. (I have received petitions from persons of 28 different zip codes). I placed a call to Mr. Victor Rodriguez on Thursday, August 28 to ask about status of other HEBs - No response as of this writing and submission, as of Friday, August 29. Pictures of above magazines were sent to corporate HEB.
At a back to school event on August 24th, we received 81 signatures from children and 100+ signatures from adults.
Received support from 2 more churches and private schools to obtain petition signatures for Family Friendly Lanes at all HEBs.
Please note that more changes are taking place at Wurzbach checkout #13!! Now there is a sign saying Family Friendly with the Buddy character. I noticed this and thank management. They are listening!!
Melly Trakas
Sep 1-7, 2008
1. The following is the list of inappropriate magazine covers at the checkout stands:
Low Rider - Oct '08 (pic)
Low Rider Readers Ride - #3 (pic)
Women's Health - Sep '08 (pic & sex word)
Cosmopolitan (span) - Sep '08 pic & sex word)
Self - Sep '08 (pic & sex word)
Modern Bride - Aug/Sep '08 (pic & sex word)
Elle - Sep '08 (pic & sex word)
Mira - Sept 1 '08 (pic)
People Style Watch - Sep '08 (sex word)
Shape - Oct '08 (pic)
Glamour - Sep '08 (sex words)
Cosmopolitan - Sep '08 (sex words)
TV Notas - Aug 26 '08 (pic & sex word)
People (Span) - Oct '08 (sex words)
Men's Health - Sep '08 (sex word)
2. The above magazines were reviewed with Rodney Roundtree, Store Director, HEB #29 (Wurzbach and I-10). I asked him to make a list and send it into Corporate. I took pictures of the magazines as well and sent into Corporate with a list. aI asked if a double sided Family Friendly Register sign could be posted at the pilot Family Friendly Checkout Lane #13 at Wurzbach.
3. I spoke with Victor Rodriguez, Customer Relations, Manager, HEB corporate office on Sep 2 and Sep 3. I also reminded him that the petition drive is city wide and asked if other HEB's have been given a Family Friendly Lane. I referenced the letter showing multiple zip codes of petition signers. He reported that those answers have to come from Mr. Bill Anderson, Vice Pres. of General Merchandise. I have not yet received a call back as of Sep 8.
4. Mr. Victor Rodriguez and Mr. Rodney Roundtree both stated, "It's very important that people fill out customer comment cards, call the HEB 800 number (1-800-432-3113), or e-mail their positive feedback about the Family Friendly Checkout Lane. It is a 90 day pilot at this time."
5. We received 1093 signatures from St. Matthew Church and School as of Sunday, Sep 7.
Melly Trakas
Sep 8-20, 2008
1. Spoke to Victor Rodriguez Tuesday, Sep 9. I told him that:
We have a total of 1112 signatures from St Matthew Catholic Church and School. (This number has increased since my previous report to him.)
Told him I was still waiting to hear from Mr. Bill Anderson for answers to questions such as, "Are Family Friendly Lanes being set up in other stores?" "What will become of the exiting inappropriate magazine covers at the checkout stands?" "Will there be a change or relocation? Or is the Family Friendly Lane (FFL) as good as it gets?" "Have the Publishers been put on notice?" Mr. Rodriguez had no answer except that he would talk to Mr. Anderson again and ask him to contact me.
I explained that there has been a frequent (6 different visit in 2 weeks) lack of customer comment cards available at the FFL and all the lanes. I said this puts us customers at a real disadvantage of giving positive feedback since this 90 day trial may be dependent on customer feedback. I said Sixto Elizondo, Unit Director, was aware and working on it, but that he had difficulty getting them in.
Mr. Rodriguez expressed appreciation for hearing the number of petitions from St Matthew's weekend drive and said he would have to turn this case over to Public Affairs. He asked for more time and if he could get back with me the next day, Wednesday, Sep.10.
I told him that several persons at the St Matt. Petition drive asked if I would be contacting the local TV stations for press coverage. I told him my response was, "No", I'm not seeking that at this time because HEB is making some changes and I want to see and hear from them about what all they are going to do. Basically, I want to work with them, I don't want this to become a bashing HEB event.
2. Called Victor Rodriguez, Corporate, on Friday, Sep 12, and left message. No call back as of Sep 21.
3. Offensive magazine covers at the checkout lanes for week of 9/14-20:
Low Rider - Nov '08 (pic)
Mira - Sep 15 '08 (pic)
TV Notas - Sep 9 '08 (pic)
Cosmopolitan (Span) - Sep '08 (pic and sex words)
Shape - Oct '08 (pic)
Elle - Oct '08 (pic and sex words)
Oxygen - Nov '08 (pic and sex words)
Self - Sep '08 (pic and sex words)
Modern Bride - Oct '08 (sex words)
Women's Health - Oct '08 (sex words)
Glamour - Oct '08 (sex words)
Latina - Oct '08 (sex words)
People (Span) - Oct '08 (sex words)
Red Book - Oct '08 (sex words)
Cosmopolitan - Oct '08 (sex words)
In Style Make Over - Oct '08 (sex words)
4. Sent in to corporate pictures and list of offensive magazine covers. Also gave praise and recognition of the new Family Friendly Checkout Lane at register #13 and the adjustments being made to improve it. Asked them to please keep it.
5. Petition drive was held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church on Sep 14, yielding ~ 300 signatures. Yeah! (Thanks Mom.)
6. Petition drive at Colonial Hills Church and School - awaiting results.
7. Continued petition drive at Christ the King Catholic Bookstore.
8. On Sep 16th, asked to speak with Store Director at HEB#29, but was directed to speak with Mr. Claude Ross, front end Service Manager. I had a very pleasant conversation, reviewed the offensive magazine covers and mag. Stand at aisle 28. I asked him to make a list and send it in to Corporate with the questions what will become of the existing magazines. I gave lots of praise about the new FFL. I made a few requests/comments:
Making Customer Comment cards available.
I asked him to walk with me to an aisle to determine whether or not a customer could see that #13 checkout was FF or not. He stated no it could not be determined unless up close. I then asked for some signage around the up high #13 sign - THIS WAS DONE A FEW DAYS LATER!!! Thanks Claude Ross for taking this concern higher up!
I asked for in-service to the checkers, because many are unaware of this new Family Friendly Lane.
I asked for the posting of its open hours.
9. Petition drive at the Catholic Women's Conference on Sep 19-20, yielding 225 signatures and 70 women taking 'starter kits' to ask their pastors to support getting signatures at their congregations.
10. It is very important for people to send in Customer Comment cards to HEB saying you've seen the Family Friendly Checkout Lane at HEB#29 (Wurzbach and I-10) and say you like it and please keep it/and bring one to the other HEB's that you shop at. HEB has got to hear from everyone concerned.
11. Upcoming event on Oct 1st. I will be a guest on Deacon Tom and Mary Jane Fox's Catholicism Live, CTSA/EWTN Cable 15, at 8pm, to talk about this important petition drive and how these indecent pictures on the magazine covers impact marriage, family, and society - and how the Lord calls us to a purified way of living.
Melly Trakas
Sep 22-27, 2008
Sep 21 - As of this date, I have received signatures from people living in (or visiting from) the following zip codes:
98% of the petitioners live in Texas and are from the cities of: San Antonio, Adkins, Austin, Boerne, Brownsville, Bulverde, Carriage Hills, Castroville, Cedar Park, Charlotte, Cibolo, Converse, Corpus Christi, Devine, D'Hanis, Dilley, El Paso, Gillett, Harlingen, Helotes, Hondo, Kyle, Lytle, Mico, New Braunfels, Paige, Portland, Richmond, San Marcos, Schertz, Selma, Stockdale, Universal City, Uvalde, and Windcrest (35 cities).
Sep 23 - Reviewed checkout lanes, pulled a copy of each magazine cover with indecent pictures and words, made a list and reviewed it with Mr. Jesse Garza, Grocery Manager at Wurzbach / I-10 HEB. I asked him to make a list a review with Directors and then send it in to Corporate. I sent in my list and pictures of the pulled magazine covers - attn Victor Rodriguez.
Sep 23 - Spoke to Victor Rodriguez, Customer Relations, Corporate. I expressed some frustration in not getting answers about more Family Friendly Checkout Lanes (FFL) and other questions. He apologized and stated he would speak with Public Affairs again.
Sep 23 - I received a letter at my home at 5pm from Dya Campos, Public Affairs Director, Corporate (click on correspondence) via a courier service.
Sep 24 - I spoke to Ms. Campos, PA, she apologized for not writing me sooner. My questions had 'fallen thru the cracks' in the process of hurricane relief efforts. The following answers were given to my questions:
Are there other Family Friendly Checkout Lanes opened or being opened at other stores? Ms. Campos said, "No. Wurzbach / I-10 is the only store with a 'non-traditional lane' at this time. It is in a pilot testing phase. It is being monitored for usage/sales and customer feedback to help determine whether or not it makes sense to forward and expand on the idea."
Have the publishers been put on notice regarding the offensive material on the magazine covers? Ms. Campos said, "The vendors have been spoken to about the magazine covers regarding customer concerns/complaints."
What will become of the indecent magazines that remain at other checkout stands? Ms Campos said, "At present, they will remain, they will not be relocated. One thing at issue is customers varying definitions of what is acceptable and what is not. And also balancing customer requests for such material against those that ask for something different."
An appointment was set up for Friday a.m. on Sep 26 to submit the petitions.
Sep 26 - A pleasant meeting was held with Ms. Dya Campos, Public Affairs Director, Ted Trakas, husband of Melly Trakas and President of Vance Jackson Neighborhood Association, Kathleen Ramirez, 17 years old - my niece and teenager (she is who originally asked for the Kids Petition so that they could voice their opposition to the indecent magazines at the checkout stands too), and myself.
The petitions were submitted with a breakdown of the 88 different zip codes represented and 35 cities. The total number of signatures submitted was 1953. 321 of which were from children ages 5-17. Please see attached.
The answers to my questions were reviewed and the answers were confirmed as noted above. One of the most significant pieces of information I received in this meeting is that each HEB is tailored to the customers of that store. Having heard this, it was realized that future petitions need to include which HEB the petitioners use so that their HEB might be given more specific attention/direction from HEB Corporate!
Sep 26 - I submit to HEB Corporate a grand total of 1953 signatures collected thus far, since June 2008. These signatures represent Customers asking for Family Friendly Checkout Lanes at their HEB's because of the numerous inappropriate magazine covers at the checkout stands.
Of great importance is the fact that 321 of the signatures are from children 5-17 years old. They requested a petition form for them because the magazines are upsetting to them too. They are our future, please don't let them down.
I implore you to make Family Friendly Lanes available at other HEB's, not just at the Wurzbach and I-10 location. Honor the voices/signatures of these petitioners.
Melly Trakas
Sep 29 - Oct 3, 2008
The following magazines with indecent pictures and/or sex words/stories on the covers were at the checkout stands for Wurzbach and I-10 HEB:
TV Notas Sept 23 (pic)
TV Guide Sept 29-Oct 5 (pic)
Oxygen Nov '08 (pic and sex word)
Glamour Oct '08 (sex words)
TV Novelas Sept 30 '08 (pic and sex words)
Latina Oct '08 (pic and sex words)
Cosmopolitan (Span) Sept'08 (pic and sex words)
Cosmopolitan Oct'08 (sex words)
Modern Bride Oct/Nov '08 (sex word)
Redbook Oct '08 (sex word)
In Style Makeover Fall '08 (sex word)
Mujer Oct/Nov '08 (sex word)
In Style Oct '08 (sex word)
I spoke with Sixto Elizondo, Unit Director, at Wurzbach/I-10. I showed him areas where these indecent magazines were displayed right beside candy bars for the kids to see. I asked if he could do anything to separate these indecent magazines from the candy. He stated "no" because of contracts with magazine vendors. I asked him to make a list of the magazines I reviewed with him and send in my concerns with it.
I invited him to watch "Catholicism Live" on Wednesday, Oct 1st, to hear more about the petition drive and its importance - both morally and psychologically.
I sent pictures, customer comment cards, and a letter to Mr. Bill Anderson, Vice President of General Merchandise, Victor Rodriguez, Manager Customer Relations, and Ms. Dya Campos, Director of Public Affairs. My letter appealed to their sense of responsibility/ethic.
Melly Trakas
Dec 14 - 20, 2008
The "90 day trial period" for the Family Friendly Lane (FFL) at the Wurzbach and I-10 HEB began in early September and is technically over.
On December 15, I spoke to Sixto Elizondo, Unit Director of HEB #29. He has not heard anything about the future of the FFL from Corporate. However, he has informed me that a number of Corporate members have been out to see it and have been told that there has been a lot of positive feedback and zero complaints from customers!
"Feedback, usage, and sales would be the determining factor" is what Ms Campos told me late September at our meeting. I hope all concerned have used the Customer Feedback Cards. It's not too late!
I called Victor Rodriguez, Customer Relations Manager, at HEB corporate offices on December 12 and Ms Dya Campos, Director of Public Affairs, on December 15. I await an answer to the outcome of the trial period.
I have written Mr. Charles Butt and included copies of our signatures and pictures taken at the checkout stand. I have asked that he listen to our concerns to keep the FFL at the Wurzbach HEB and expand these lanes to other HEBs, as people have requested. Join me in prayer for this, if you feel moved. (See the VJ website, www.vjni.org/Issues/HEB, to view a copy of my letter.)
We have received additional petitions. Amazingly, the grand total for 2008 is exactly 2008 signatures.