More Commentary From The Readers

Thanks for keeping the commentary going while I am currently preoccupied with other things. You guys are a big help and the readers should especially enjoy the last two commentaries. I invite more of you to participate in the debate. I can at least moderate and add a few comments now and then. All you have to do is e-mail me from the right side of the blog. If you want it to be anonymous you can get an e-mail account with almost any service that is not your real e-mail.



It's nice reading the guest commentary charging us to basically "put up or shut up." It's a fair proposition and one that deserves serious thought. For what it's worth, I'll offer a few ideas that have long floated in my brain that could lay a few foundation bricks in a newer and brighter Greenville/Washington County.

In an elitist sort of way, I've always considered Greenville the bellwether of Delta growth and prosperity and it's best hope when and if a true economic rebound occurs. Clarksdale is too small and too niche with its blues music offerings and first real town south of Memphis. It's really the Delta tourist trap and should be...easy to reach and you're back at the Tunica casinos in about an hour. Cleveland is still hung up in the 1950's with a city council that dictates economic growth based on its personal fears or jealousies of who benefits from any particular private enterprise. But, they're hanging on to whatever it is, they believe, needs holding on to. Delta State doesn't count as part of Cleveland in this assessment. It's an entity, and a good one, all its own. The other major, Delta towns are there...just there for the time being.

That said, Greenville/Washington County is where we'll find the bull's eye and "Anonymous" (please make up a moniker and use that so we know it's you when you return) throws down a challenge that, so far, I and no "lifers" choose to philosophically engage. Let's go paragraph by paragraph.

Anonymous writes:

Where are the proposed solutions from the railbirds? You know, while it may be fun (in a twisted sort of way) to take part in the never-ending pastime of complaining about anything and everything that goes on in town -- whether related to business or government -- it's not particularly productive.
Two facets of this are correct - for many it IS fun in a twisted sort of way and it is a never-ending pastime. Many citizens can be quite contrary on every idea rolling around the city and I find that disheartening, but city and civic leaders earn a fair share of concern citizens' lamentations. There are solid ideas for the region but Anonymous should realize and cull those "civic proposals" which are cloaked in self interest, phony intention or the need for public attention and a newspaper article - see the ethanol plant proposals and blues casino (RIP).

Anonymous continues:
While it's fine to point out problems, that doesn't really accomplish a whole lot -- it doesn’t take much gray matter to figure out that problems exist. What is difficult, however, is determining how best to remedy them. I've spent a fair amount of time dealing directly with most of these issues, and can promise you that it's far more difficult than it appears.

"Anonymous" is correct in the challenge ahead. At least the writer isn't saying that dealing directly with the problems is impossible - as admittedly, I found myself suggesting in my mind and I've pondered solutions if nothing more than a personal mental exercise. Hang on to that hope, Anonymous. Once you lose it, it's gone forever. This is where I must concede that I left the Don Quixote-esque sentiment to literature after interacting with intelligent people for years in wondering how we can pull life up by the bootstraps. I'll also concede that thinking and talking is "cheap," but it's public discourse was where I thought the community had, and still has, a great need - whether we like the opinions we read or not. People enjoyed it and it spawned at least one other person to jump into the town square (online) for a hearty, reasoned debate. There....I admit a few philosophical short-comings.

Anonymous concludes:

I put it to you, however, that -- because of some folks' lack of knowledge of all of the pertinent facts concerning various issues -- not all of these opinions are entitled to be accorded the same weight. Don't base your opinions on what you've "heard," because, in all likelihood, what you've "heard" is, at the very least, probably inaccurate and, at worst, often a complete fabrication. Why would people do this? Beats me….but it happens over and over again.Complain if you like, but I'll give your complaints more credence if, at the same time, you offer concrete, realistic solutions.
Okay, if we or you are to build credence through an honest sharing of ideas, here goes it.

First, taxpaying citizens must begin a city/county wide discussion of public school consolidation. 17 city, public schools are WAY too many and only preserve the fact that Greenville's school board maintains confiscatory property tax rates while delivering some of the worst accountability and performance in America. The numbers do not lie and local school teachers are NOT innocent victims in the public school debate. Same goes for all those administrators. Begin a public campaign to build a few brand new schools based in population trends where growth is stagnant, but not growing. Greenville's shrinking rapidly. Close up to ten of the existing and old campuses. You only have 7000 or so students on any given year. Millions could be saved and school taxes could be greatly lowered while low-income or at risk students would attend the state's newest public schools. The move would make the school system take an educational approach as opposed to one where people expect jobs and no responsibility for poor results.

If lower school taxes are a residual of an honest school system reform, then you'd see property ownership come back into vogue and a decline of rental housing in homeowning, middle class neighborhoods. Rentals have a tremendous place in our society but not in every neighborhood. We need homeowners.

Second, citizens should stand up and point fingers at the squalor of some city neighborhoods. There needs to be a property condition standard and a standard policy of addressing dilipidation - not continued reprieves. It's one thing to be poor but even poor people should have heat and warm water if they're paying rent. Some of these slums are owned and not kept up by "great" Greenville civic leaders, people who are roasted, toasted, feted and given a community pedestal. But, doing so would cause hurt feelings in the community. City crime is conducted, primarily, out of this slums - and they are slums.

Those are my first two salvos....Anonymous please come back and respond and let's get a REAL debate started. Red Dog, if you know the email of Anonymous, please keep this person writing as I encourage the same. Intelligent discussion is hard to find.

Local Reflector

Happy Thanksgiving

To all:
Have a Happy Thanksgiving. I will be out for the holidays and not back until next week. Guest Commentary below should get you through the holidays and anything else you want to comment on do it here. Thanks for your thoughts and input since March. We'll get back to business next week.

Red Dog

New Guest Commentary

Thanks to "Anonymous" for raising an excellent point. I have been guilty of being critical without offering solutions. However, since I am an expatriate much like LR and others, it doesn't fall on our shoulders to offer concrete solutions, that is for you natives. Anyhow, the writer is trying to make changes with what he/she has to work with. We can all be supportive.


OK -- I'VE READ ALL OF THE CONSPIRACY/INEPTITUDE THEORIES, BUT……

Where are the proposed solutions from the railbirds? You know, while it may be fun (in a twisted sort of way) to take part in the never-ending pastime of complaining about anything and everything that goes on in town -- whether related to business or government -- it's not particularly productive.

There, I've said it.

That's right -- despite what many seem to believe, it's really difficult actually to try to deal with (as opposed to b**ch about) the myriad difficulties that face Greenville and other Mississippi Delta cities and towns. While it's fine to point out problems, that doesn't really accomplish a whole lot -- it doesn’t take much gray matter to figure out that problems exist. What is difficult, however, is determining how best to remedy them. I've spent a fair amount of time dealing directly with most of these issues, and can promise you that it's far more difficult than it appears.

Don't get me wrong -- I believe that everyone has a right to have, and to express, opinions. I put it to you, however, that -- because of some folks' lack of knowledge of all of the pertinent facts concerning various issues -- not all of these opinions are entitled to be accorded the same weight. Don't base your opinions on what you've "heard," because, in all likelihood, what you've "heard" is, at the very least, probably inaccurate and, at worst, often a complete fabrication. Why would people do this? Beats me….but it happens over and over again.

Complain if you like, but I'll give your complaints more credence if, at the same time, you offer concrete, realistic solutions.

Would love to sign this but, for the time being, must remain ….

Anonymous

Revisitation

I was back in River City over the weekend and things still seemed the same. Imagine that! There was blabber in the DDT and reading it made my head hurt. Of course, a hold up and four shooting victims and the usual police plea to anyone knowing anything about these crimes (because we sure don't) please dial h-e-l-p-g-p-d. The usual happy talk colums on the beautification of the airport (Frank Cooper is doing a good job), but that sort of misses the problem of there are only two flights a day into the Hub of the Delta, and those are from a bankrupt airline. All in all it was a great visit.

2 in 3 people now believe that Bush has the country going in the wrong direction. I won't stop until all of you are convinced! The usual attack tactic of those "who ain't fer us are agin us" and the drivel that opposing the war helps the enemy smear won't help. Mr. Bush's Vietnam is his legacy and it ain't pretty. Enemies most wanted 1 and 2 are still at large and the Islamic terrorism continues to grow and strengthen. No clear strategy except to stay the course, yet the course keeps changing. Ah. but we've been through all this before.

Thanks for allowing me that stray thought.

Anyhow, it's great to live where the water is clear, yes natives there are places where the water isn't brown. Local politics, however, appears to be the same everywhere. I had the opportunity today to witness the local government in action and I have to admit, it's really no different. Politicians are still politicians. I could devote a lot more time to slamming Greenville, but it would be just wasted effort and really do nothing more than just piss some of you off. However, I think my point is that Greenville can do better, if it wants to, but the leadership has to come from those who care and dare to change. Perhaps the readers here that stay behind can be the catalyst for that change.

LR is right the relocation situation has slowed ol Red Dog down a bit, but I'll get back in the swing of things, patience please. In the meantime, why don't more of you send commentaries and I will post them for discussion. If you don't want to start your own blog, this is a viable solution. I do check e-mails daily, I just don't normally have the time to write, much less think about what I am going to write. So help me keep the interest going.

Guest Commentary

Thanks to LR for the Guest Commentary, I have been extremely busy lately and haven't been able to keep up with anything going on nationally, much less locally. I don't have a clue of what's going on except that it looks like Ernest Holmes is running for his old seat? I'll do better, maybe this weekend I can do some catching up. Ya'll have fun now, ya hear?


I've always felt, since Ernest Holmes was booted from office, that if given a chance at re-election, he'd probably reclaim his seat. To know why he was booted isn't to know that the action was honest-minded individuals performing a noble public service. It's quite the opposite. Holmes was protected for years - as far back as the late nineties - from losing his county supervisor's seat on a residency violation. He played the role of good Washington County minion and those in charge (and still in charge) turned a not-so-blind eye. When he fell outta favor - not endorsing James Graves but the Washington County woman who ran for MS Supreme Court and mucking with the county road department alongside blowing off a Bennie Thompson fish fry - he fell from office. He was dumb enough to think he'd fool several people by claiming he lived on Beauchamp and wanted public hearing. He got it...he also got a philosophical flogging.

However, I've been able to see Holmes work in south Washington County and must say, at the time, he was likely the most responsive of any of the county supervisors despite NOT living in the district. He was popular with voters as he repeatedly won and doesn't seem as conniving as some of the southern part of the county's "electables." His main liability is that the only way he can make a living is by serving as Washington County supervisor - what should be a part-time role. Now, you can add a junior supervisor to the Holmes' "paycheck by politics" bandwagon. But, if being a supervisor is a "full-time" position in county government, I believe he represents his district quite well in terms of responsiveness. The interim supervisor has been quiet.

Do the Stingers' deserve a break on convention center deposits and rent? Is this a form of corporate welfare? Do taxpayers "suffer" if they don't pay rent? Good questions. The greater question is "what is there to do in Greenville?" Is minor league basketball a viable option? Those are your trade offs.

If you wish to see why there's reluctance for county government to assist the Stingers in being financially viable in its early years, look no further than Mississippi Valley State's holiday basketball games - all two of them. Immense jealous abounds about "competing" basketball in Washington County. The issue isn't about corporate giveaways, it's about a turf war where two, collegiate games outweigh the need of an entire season of minor league basketball. Reality vs Ideology - take your pick and you'll not be incorrect in where you stand.

I love the record being set straight on Textron and worker quality. Actually, the only thing set straight was that the Capps Center did all it could to train the folks attending class and with Textron cutting corners on free training to get these people working. When Textron was regularly laying off workers so they wouldn't have to be permanently hired and require benefits, it didn't need to have trained workers - just ones to get them by until incentives ran out. We'll never know if they pay any government agency a refund for its troubles. That's nice lip service.

There are people who need jobs and REALLY NEED better educations so they can grasp skills above and beyond making underwear or Uncle Ben's rice. Potential workers are only at fault for not valuing learning - and some value learning greatly. They also blamable for not sharing a work ethic, systemic in nature, not reflected south of the border or in other parts of America where plants don't fold after 18 months.

In Summary, don't count out Ernest, count out the Stingers due to pettiness that will never be known to the greater public, congratulations on Capps Center tooting its horn to Greenville VIP's - worker training is still a major issue that was dodged by local media despite its headline purporting otherwise.

Sorry Gang

I have to admit this was a busy week and I haven't had the focus on things as I should. I will be moving a family member to, of all places, Nashville over the weekend. So if anyone has anything new, use this post. You guys have been great to be so patient and keep things going.

A couple of quick thoughts.
I haven't had time to read up on "Scalito", but he sure is more qualified than Meirs. I don't know if he is out of the mainstream or not, but he is no O'Connor. I'm not sure yet how I feel about him, but I can predict that he will be confirmed with a fight. He would only need 51 votes

Bush popularity falls below 40%. Further evidence that he is a sitting lame duck president.

Tax study group advocates eliminating deduction for mortgage.

"Scooter" Libby is a small fish, a bigger fish may get caught yet.

Back on Monday, have a good weekend.