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City needs to look to future

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ikb50
Tuesday, June 19, 2012: 1:38 pm
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Amen - except for more junk (antique) shops and dollar stores, fast food restaurants, what growth have we seen here in the last 20 years? Martinsville needs to grow into this century!

ronschoolcraft
Tuesday, June 19, 2012: 9:58 pm
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Exactly what do you propose?

nobodyimportant
Wednesday, June 20, 2012: 7:42 am
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Local government isn't going to create these things, only provide an environment that is conducive to their development.

An environment conducive to growth means getting in the contest for perks for which companies are looking. It may run against the grain of some people to use taxpayer money for things like tax abatements, but the fact is, when companies want to relocate or set up a beginning or new location, they are going to shop around, just like you and I do for the best deal. Be in the game, have a chance. Stay out and be a bystander.

If we are talking about bringing back manufacturing jobs, that is another whole story in addition to the above. Manufacturing relies upon transportation. In days gone by, that was the rail system. Now it is flight and road. I-69 is a crucial feature for this segment of business.

But sorry, folks, if you think manufacturers will locate here and pay good wages, you are dreaming. Labor is too cheap overseas and south of the border. We cannot compete. Obnly the federal government can do something about that. They have been complicit in the job exodus. There should be disincentives for companies that pack up and leave, only to ship the goods back here so that Walmart can undercut locally-based retailers.

If there are no major differences in the perks for locating a business between competing communities, civic minded businesses will make decisions on some other factors such as the quality of education, recreation features, environmental factors and ambient features.

My wife and I visited Aberdeen, Mississippi a few years back. At the welcome center, the very friendly attendant said, if you are just passing through, don't stay long." Then with a grin, she said, "or you won't want to leave." It was true. Everywhere we went, we were warmly welcomed in this community half the size of Martinsville. Folks went out of their way to make us comfortable. They "spoke up" their community. It was if everyone had a "how to promote our community" manual. We were envious.

One thing they weren't was stagmant. It kind of reminded me of a theological principal that goes something like this: you are either growing in the Lord or you are falling away. There is no middle ground of just staying as you are.

It seems to me that too many of us are on the sidelines carping about what is being done or what isn't and by whom. I hope the postings on here don't really represent an accurate cross-section of Morgan County citizens. If they do, we really are very far apart on very important issues.

Danny Stewart
Wednesday, June 20, 2012: 11:35 am
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IBK50,

How do you propose we go about doing it? We have people here that are absolutely against any growth whatsoever. Others want massive growth. Others want growth in only one area, i.e. the arts. Others want no new retail but want industry.

The problem I see is this: there are a few groups gathered together for their little cause that refuse to extend a hand to work with others. They are convinced their way is best. However, the biggest problem is we have no leadership willing to take the lead in this because some see Martinsville as a big city wanting only sophistcated things while others see Martinsville as nothing more than a small hick town with no chance of improving.

Danny Stewart
Wednesday, June 20, 2012: 3:49 pm
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Anyway, as I see it, Martinsville is a small mid-western, blue collar town. Unfortunately, some want to try and make it into something it isn't or can't be instead of looking around at what we do have and put it to use. There are plenty of spaces to be used, if only we would do it instead turning things into some kind of turf war or something.

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