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We can't afford to give up
Posted Thursday, June 19, 2008, at 11:11 AM<< Previous | Read comments | Respond | Email link | Next >>
The thought of your child moving away from home for good isn't one most parents enjoy.
What could be daily or weekly visits -- if they could find a good job close to home -- turns into four or five visits a year. The time spent with your grandchildren isn't the same. What about ballgames? Musicals? Dance recitals? If they lived close to home, and had a job worth staying for in Greene County, life would be much better. Unfortunately, that's not the case for everyone. But there are a lot of people working hard to bring jobs to this area so our young people won't be forced to look elsewhere. It's not easy. But does that mean we give up? I don't think so. A comment on the Greene County Daily World's Web site concerning the recent HomeTown Competitiveness survey results has some concerned. Not that the person offered the opinion, but the actual comment. Let me be the first to say that everyone has the right to their opinion, and shouldn't be chastised for offering it in public. The comment: "I fully support the Greene County Foundation but in response to this statement -- Bethell also added that young people in the county are brainwashed into thinking they have to move away to make a living. She advised them to think of something they would really like to do and then go for it. We spent the day with (his son) at his IU orientation and I have told him this ... 'Don't even consider staying here (in Greene County) once you graduate.' It is a fact that Greene County's time is over no matter what we do. He needs to go where he can make a decent life. This is not the fault of anyone in Greene County, it is just how it is. The longer we deceive ourselves and our children, the greater the chance that we doom them to the fate we already suffer. It is time we quit trying to lure business to Greene County and start luring people. Let's change from trying to run our own companies and move to adding those who work in Terre Haute or Bloomington to our citizenry. New ideas for a new reality, that is the future." Luring people to Greene County? Not a bad idea. They may build new homes, and spend money locally. But they still must drive 30, 40 or 50 miles to work in Terre Haute and Bloomington. Do you believe gas prices will go down anytime soon? The bottom line with me is: What happens if we give up? Do we give up on the idea of bringing jobs to Greene County? What kind of message does that send to the businesses currently located here? Does Crane want people from Greene County with that kind of attitude? Joan Bethell (Greene County Economic Development Corporation executive director), Tom Jones (Linton mayor), Roy Terrell (Jasonville mayor), the Greene County commissioners and council, and all the town and city councils in our area have jobs on the tips of their tongues. Is it all pie in the sky? Maybe. But we can't stop believing and working toward the goal of helping all Greene Countians, including our children. Jones promised in his first campaign that he would get young people -- school-aged children and young adults -- involved in his administration. He has kept that promise. His efforts in getting a youth center in this area haven't panned out yet, but I'm confident it will. Jones understands the importance of our children remaining in Greene County after high school and college graduation. We can't drop the ball and hope someone else will pick it up and keep playing the game. No one cares more about Greene County than Greene Countians. Give up? It's not an option. Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
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Since I'm short on time right now, I will keep this short:
Thanks Chris. I know that we don't always agree on how things should go, but thanks for all the hard work.
We are at a critical juncture in our county's history. Greene County has three major opportunities for growth right now. The I-69 highway expansion, the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area, and the Westgate@Crane tech park all present opportunities for us to turn the county's growth around. We need the energy, enthusiasm and efforts of the community focused on these positive changes. The HTC process gives us some tools to work with in changing for the better. We can't give up now...things are looking brighter!
Well...thanks Chris for addressing this highly...highly important issue and discussion.
I myself am a product of Greene County's "Brain Drain", but there are a couple of things that I would like to add to the mix of thoughts by first posing a question.
What is the reason that Greene County graduates leave for college and never come back to work in the county?
Obviously, some of the potential answers have been addressed, but let's recap...
1. No Business/Company to Hire Them in the County.
2. No Business/Company to Hire Them within commuting distance of the County.
3. No Existing Position for them to follow their dreams.
4. Parents suggest them to leave the county for a better life.
5. They didn't like living here to begin with.
6. They wanted to sow their wild oats, live life, experience the world.
So, in short...it is either (a) by their own choice, (b) through strong family influence, or (c) by the lack of something local.
Based on this, I wonder have we really addressed "(c)" ? While "(a)" and "(b)" will happen and is out of the control of the community itself, can we as a community/county address "(c)" ?
This seems to me to be the very thing that many throughout our county are working to address. It is true, it is a monumental time for Greene County...historic, if you will. Much like the flooding and storm damage of 2008, the progress and work that is being accomplished in Greene County today will be something that is talked about for generations. We are at a turning point...and I am proud that we are moving forward, rather than standing still and watching life and our neighboring communities/counties/states pass us by!
Hats off to Tom Jones for passing a Comprehensive Plan and investigating the opportunities of zoning and annexation in the City of Linton!
Hats off to the GCEDC Board for hiring such an experienced person as Joan Bethell!
Hats off to the Linton Chamber of Commerce for supporting countywide activity!
Hats off to the Bloomfield Free Press for stirring the pot and showing us another opinion, regardless of our agreement with it or not!
Hats off to the DNR for investing into one of the largest wetland restoration projects in the United States!
Hats off to the Greene County Learning Center for providing a multitude of services to our residents, including the very successful Leadership Academy!
Hats off to the Greene County Commissioners, the Bloomfield Town Council, and the Linton City Council for forming an alliance to address and prepare for the potential effects of the I-69 Extension Project!
Hats off to the Greene County Foundation stepping up to bring attention to Greene County at the State level with the Hometown Competitiveness Program!
Hats off to the Eastern Greene County team of interested citizens who pushed to bring 911 Re-addressing to Greene County!
Hats off to Joan Bethell whose perseverance is admirable as she drives to fight decades of built up apathy, misunderstanding, and reactionary decision-making that has plagued our county!
And...and...and...Hats off to the many, many, many (that's three many's) people throughout all communities and corners of our county who have been involved, attended a plethora of meetings, joined committees, served on boards, donated time and money, wrote grants, got educated about programs/systems, listened to speakers, spoke their mind, and stood up (and are still standing up) for a better Greene County!
And to think all of this has happened in the past 3 years....
But as we push forward, with all of our programs blending, committees blending, and progress starting to be evident...we must still address this Brain Drain issue in Greene County.
For my contribution, I would like to pose the following questions to address "(c)" in our previous list...
1. Have we presented to our local youth the types of careers that are possible in the world? (Do they really know? Cause I didn't until I was already out there.)
2. Have we identified what we need (businesses/companies/services/expertise) currently in our county and share that with our youth?
3. Have we prepared our youth for higher education beyond math and science, but for critical thinking and expressive and scholarly writing?
4. Have we, as adults, placed to much focus on physical ability and not enough on expressive talent in our youth?
5. Have we supported our youth as families, parents, schools, government, and as a community to provide them with opportunities to stay or return to Greene County?
6. Have our local businesses and leaders (outside of family members) provided opportunities to mentor our youth and give them hands on experience?
I believe that there is much more that we could do to educate our students about what types of jobs and careers are out there in the world, but also, at the same time, showing them which ones exist in Greene County, are needed in Greene County, or are at the top of the wish list for Greene County. We should not underestimate our youth because with their drive, determination, spirit, and education; they can meet those needs, solve our problems, create their own jobs, and maybe even collaborate with others to get some of the things crossed off of our county's wish list.
While this may sound like a pep talk...well, I guess that it is...cause those of you who are convincing your kids of what is impossible, I think you should reconsider your speech and take notice of the progress in Greene County. Look around, it is everywhere in small pockets throughout the county. But what's great is that just like a small grove of trees, as the small pockets grow, they soon will become a forest of opportunity for the residents of Greene County.