Mansfield, Ohio- Watch it Burn?

One of the problems of living in a small city is the lack of people networking. Sharing appears to be a protected behavior pattern. Being open to new ideas is regarded as a loss of control or power. Businesses and people somehow feel it is safer to keep the binders on and the plan is a repeated daily ritual.

What better way to thwart progress than to refuse to ask questions, share and listen?

How can you expect change when the community is being managed like it’s the Cold War?

We lost the ability to compete by keeping competition out. The grand effort to control financial personal interests and creating wealth among the few kept us locked in a time capsule. Instead of growth we have decay, poverty and crime. Our negative reputation precedes us in all we do. Is it any wonder we are unable to attract new businesses?

“Do it in Mansfield”

Our city is an eyesore of slum landlords and boarded up homes. We average an arson case every 3.2 days in downtown Mansfield, Ohio. As of today, we’ve had 42 arsons committed since June. A $5,000.00 reward has been offered, however; not one tip or lead has surfaced.

Why has no one reported or unveiled any information? Why isn’t the city working to have town meetings with the residents to increase surveillance and attract information?

 Many people feel it is part of an inside job or are some of these vacant houses, drug houses and the neighbors are tired of dealing with the threat? Superstition is on the rise. The likelyhood of several arsonists is probable.

Is a new safety tax ballot levy in the works next year? It does beg the question.

New Development Area?

One of the areas of several fires has been designated for some new community development. Grant money has recently been donated by the State of Ohio to tear down old debilitated structures and demolition has finally begun. Is someone speeding up the process by torching those vacant homes and buildings?

The lack of seeking Federal assistance in investigating the arsons has many people scratching their heads. The situation is clearly out of hand!

Perhaps we can add a new moniker to our name. Our nickname is “The Fun Center of Ohio.” Sadly, we are becoming known as”The Arson Center of Ohio?”

It might be wise to beef up the investigative process before a firefighter, squatter or innocent family is killed. It’s shocking someone hasn’t lost their life.

Party Like it’s 1959

We live in a world connected by the Internet. Yet we continue to act like its 1959.

The problem we suffer began decades ago, our businessmen locked competition out, politicians serenaded themselves by taking trips to merry old England and ignored the need to grow and replace the loss of manufacturing and jobs.

 Instead of fining slum landlords and earning considerable income, the homes and property were allowed to deteriorate. The city of Mansfield nearly went broke and the few, proud and unconnected prospered. There has to be a better way!

Heck, even stumbling upon something to bring hope could accidentally happen. But the law of averages doesn’t live in this town. It checked out decades ago.

Who will Step-Up?

Isn’t it time we do something promising to change the future?

Do we stand back and watch it burn?

It’s tough to connect the dots when you live in an unconnected environment.

Or is it?

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

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