An everyman Walmart defender speaks up for the Heights SuperCenter and theproject reaches out

Eric Dean is 37 and works booking at Walter's on Washington, a Heights favorite. Five years ago he traded in his South Texas Valley home for one in Houston. Dean says he doesn't understand the hubbub over the new Heights Walmart in the works.

There will be a public meeting held at the George R. Brown tonight at Mayor Annise Parker's request that's sure to generate plenty of vitriol, but don't expect to see this Heights worker there in red (the color the anti-Walmart group is asking people to wear).

At first, Dean was real casual about his reasons why he’s for the new Walmart.

"The only reason I think I am is because you have to go outside the Loop right now, and all the Walmarts outside the Loop are shitty," Dean said. "At Walmart I can easily find things for my family and toys for my kid."

And then he got angry.

"Nobody cares if they want to build a new Whole Foods or something on their 'radar,' " Dean said. "I bet at least 70 percent of people complaining will be the first to shop there. This area used to be a barrio, so the people now living in the gentrified neighborhoods aren't exactly experts on the area."

One of the things that will be revealed at tonight's meeting is that representatives from The Ainbinder Company (the Houston-based company behind the development) and Walmart have met with the leaders of more than 15 community organizations, including the Houston Heights Association, the Bayou Preservation Association and the Citizen's Transportation Coalition, and 140 individuals since July 11, an official close to the project told CultureMap. Our source also says that anti-Walmart in The Heights group leaders have been unresponsive to several invitations from Walmart and Ainbinder officials to discuss their concerns over the development.

Dean isn't part of any group. He just believes that the Heights Walmart will be good for families.

"One of my co-workers is pregnant right now and I'm sure she'll welcome the cheaper diaper prices," Dean said.

Skinny jeans and all, Dean thinks that even the 20-something population of The Heights would benefit.

"It'll be good for employment," Dean said. "I have tons of friends who graduated with arts degrees and can't even get jobs at Smoothie King. I see people come into Walter's all the time trying to get jobs doing anything, and those people would be perfectly content working at Walmart."

And crime? Dean has an answer for that too.

"What, shoplifting?" Dean said. "When was the last time somebody was gunned down in Walmart?"

It’s hard to find vocal people online who feel like Dean. On Facebook there is a support group called “Wal-Mart is Welcome in Houston@Yale and Washington Streets” with at total of 36 members and six wall postings since July, all made by three members. One of the three doesn’t live in Houston, and another has “penis” listed as his top activity.

While it’s hard getting people to admit they love saving at the Big Smiley Face, corporate isn’t having a hard time scratching its back. WalmartHouston.com says the development will bring 300 new jobs to the area and create donation opportunities with nonprofits like the Houston Food Bank, Urban League and the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

At WalmartHouston.com, the company has a list of "myths vs. facts" that deals with concerns over sustainability, loss of jobs, uncompetitive wages or benefits, unfair tax breaks and crime. Over in the Windy City, Walmart has already made itself at home in the South Side of town.

Here's a video from the YouTube Walmart Community series used in Chicago:

Walmart's public relations team definitely knows how to work social media. If you scroll down further you can even find a Walmart Mom series where they talk to mothers shopping at Walmart about things going on in Washington.