Candidates for mayor and alderman in Carrboro offer their views here on whether or not so-called big-box stores have a positive or negative impact on the communities they serve. Their opinions vary. For an in-depth look at the issue, which is being debated across the country, check out this transcript of a Carolina Journal Radio interview with Ohio University Economics Professor Richard Vedder, co-author of The Wal-Mart Revolution: How Big Box Stores Benefit Consumers, Workers, and the Economy. This book, The Small-Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses Are Beating the Global Competition, by Michael Shuman, is referenced in the Daily Tar Heel story. If you’d like to know more about the Carrboro candidates, you’ll find Orange County’s official filing information here. The Independent Weekly also has information on the candidates, including website addresses for a couple of them.