What follows is a press release sent out today by Responsible Growt for Northcross:

[01-20-07]
RESIDENTS SURROUNDING NORTHCROSS RECEIVE MISLEADING PUSH POLL
PHONE CALLS IN FAVOR OF WAL-MART SUPERCENTER

A comparison of Responsible Growth for Northcross recent
survey with the push poll phone calls reveals intent to deceive by Wal-Mart Supercenter backers.

AUSTIN, Texas,
Jan. 20, 2007. A biased
survey is being conducted by proponents of the controversial Northcross Mall
redevelopment plan, according to many residents of neighborhoods surrounding
the mall.

On the evening of Friday,
January 19, 2007, residents throughout the Allandale, Brentwood,
Crestview, North Shoal Creek, and Wooten neighborhoods received phone calls
from persons claiming to be conducting a survey regarding the proposed
development at Northcross. The development plans by Dallas-based Lincoln
Property Company include a colossal 225,085 sq. ft. Wal-Mart Supercenter at
Northcross.

By most accounts, the callers phoned from ECA or Southern
Opinion Research, and followed the same script. The callers asked if the
persons they phoned would answer whether they were “opposed, neutral, or in
favor of a Wal-Mart at Northcross,” after reading scripts containing statements
like:

– Northcross is already zoned for Wal-Mart.
– Northcross Mall is empty.
– The development would be good for our area.
– It would be bad for our area if the Wal-Mart doesn¹t go
in.
– The mall is currently zoned for commercial use.
– No zoning changes are needed.
– Northcross is stagnant and Wal-Mart will revitalize the
mall.
– Wal-Mart had met all its legal requirements to go ahead
with the development.

This action by proponents of the Lincoln Property Company
development comes only days after RG4N conducted a multi-neighborhood survey to
gauge public opinion about the development.

The purpose of the phone calls made to residents on Friday
evening seems to match the definition of a push poll: an ostensible opinion
poll in which the true objective is to sway voters using loaded or manipulative
questions.

Based on the accounts reported to us, it is clear the intent
was to push people — in some cases even picking arguments with them — to say
they support a Wal-Mart at Northcross. It appears that Lincoln Property Company
is still thumbing its nose at this community despite a promise back in December
to partner with us, says Hope Morrison, vice president of RG4N.

RG4N’s survey was conducted on Saturday, Jan. 13 and Sunday,
Jan. 14. It was comprised of four demographic questions and eight
opinion-gathering questions. In addition to asking about various concerns
regarding the proposed redevelopment, the survey asked respondents to identify
what they would most like to do at Northcross. It also plainly asked, “Do you support
or oppose building a Wal-Mart Supercenter
at Northcross?”

RG4N conducted its survey to assess the needs and concerns
of area residents and property owners related to the proposed redevelopment of Northcross
Mall by Dallas-based Lincoln Property Company. RG4N is busy tabulating the survey
results, and will use them to develop a compelling and desirable community
vision for Northcross Mall. Survey analysis should be complete next week and
will be presented publicly on Wednesday, January 31 at 7 p.m. at St Louis
Church on Burnet
  Road.

About Responsible Growth for Northcross
Responsible Growth for Northcross is a group of citizens
from the Allandale, Brentwood, Crestview, North Shoal
Creek, Rosedale and Wooten neighborhoods currently
fighting to stop the planned redevelopment of Northcross Mall by Dallas-based
Lincoln Property Company, which includes a 225,085 sq. ft. 24-Hour Wal-Mart
Supercenter. Responsible Growth for Northcross is working to develop a mutually
beneficial, growth-oriented solution for Northcross Mall that serves the
character and needs of the surrounding neighborhoods while also ensuring a
successful endeavor for Lincoln Property Company and all concerned.

Jason Meeker
Communications Chairman
jason [Email address: jason #AT# jasonmeeker.com - replace #AT# with @ ]
RG4N.org
773-4332