Youngstown's Future

[Towntalk]

For the past 35 years group after group has been started up to discuss Youngstown's future (1977-2012), and have absolutely nothing to show for it. A very small handful of groups were organized that have shown progress, but unlike their counterparts, after the talks, there was action, and there has been progress that we can see with our own two eyes.

Today Youngstown is becoming a center for the high tech industry, and the energy companies are opening even more doors for good paying jobs with a future, but these facts seem to escape those who simply sit around dreaming dreams that can never be fulfilled.

We can all agree that quality of life is important to any community, but without good paying jobs it is meaningless. The arts can never provide hundreds of high paying jobs that can allow families the upward mobility required for a strong vibrant community.

While we can and should support the arts, we must keep it in its proper perspective  and not ignore the real life opportunities that are starting to come our way.

We want and need opportunities where families can have financial stability ... be able to buy a home ... send their children to decent schools ... and have hope for the future, for only when this is achieved can they support the arts.