Wal-Mart Skips City Hearing as Protesters and Council Members Assail Stores' Impact.

It was a moment long planned and carefully prepared for -- a moment that had twice been delayed by snow. But when the moment finally arrived, the main protagonist was missing. The City Council held a hearing on Thursday afternoon to examine the economic impact Wal-Mart would have should it succeed in opening its first stores in New York City. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]