In spite of an intensely negative public outcry and the denial of a major conditional-use permit by the Monroe County Planning Commission, Walgreens plans to move into the Scotty's store on U.S. 1 on Big Pine Key.

U.S. 1 Radio -- WWUS 104.1 -- broke the bad news to the community last week after speaking with Nicholas Mulick, the Tavernier attorney who represented Scotty's and made the case for Walgreens at a recent planning commission meeting.

Why is it bad news? Because throngs of Big Pine residents had attended the planning commission meeting en masse to vehemently protest what they saw as an invasion by a national retail giant unsuited for operation in the rural community.

Led primarily by tenacious Big Pine business owner Susan Eanes and her attorney, Lee Rohe, opponents of the store -- many of whom are traditionally seen on opposite sides of local issues -- agreed that Walgreens is not a good fit. In an almost unprecedented show of camaraderie, the group apparently believed they had made it clear to Walgreens that they were not welcome.

It seems that Walgreens doesn't care. Not only is the chain moving on in, they plan to file an appeal regarding the denial of the major conditional-use permit so that the initially proposed "mega-store" -- albeit in a smaller footprint -- can be constructed.

To heck with public sentiment. Might obviously makes right in this case.

In this wonderful capitalist country of free enterprise and competition, we must expect such things when the big dogs of commerce bark more loudly than the hometown pups and subsequently get their way.

But throw Big Pine a bone, will you Walgreens? Don't add insult to injury by going ahead with plans to appeal the major conditional-use permit and put in a brand new store complete with drive-through liquor convenience. The island doesn't need it and the majority of residents don't want it.

It's not that Big Pine people have anything against competition and this American way of commerce: Most residents simply feel the site could be put to better use, while still maintaining the spirit of a small town. Others think mom-and-pop businesses will suffer.

Opponents at the meeting said they would rather see the site used for something like a community center. Others noted -- and commissioners agreed -- that the development of a Walgreens will increase traffic at the site.

Nevertheless, it is now left to be seen how the chain will manage public relations and try to integrate into the community. Maybe residents wouldn't be so outraged if Walgreens had been more forthcoming with dialogue about community sentiment prior to this railroading incident.