As you can tell I've changed some of the layout, colors mostly, mainly because I'm getting older and the black background with white letters is hard on my eyes.
Now that I've revealed the fact that I probably need an eye exam, let's get down to business.
Michael Jackson is dead, can we move on now
No disrespect to the millions of MJ fans worldwide but I've met quite a few people lately who feel they have seen/read enough on the King of Pop.
I believe the man was a musical genius and his music will live on forever. He paved the way for others and revolutionized the music video (remember Thriller the video, way cool and a first for its time). Heck,I liked his music but I think it's time for the family to grieve, fans to grieve and to move on.
Local news
With all of the media attention to MJ some people may have forgotten that news continues to occur right here in our area.
Let's take a look at a few things:
Nederland survey
Nederland is updating their 10 year strategic plan for development and rightfully so. Cities change, population changes and needs change.
The Nederland Strategic Planning Citizen Survey tapped into the opinions of a cross sampling of the community and touched included issues of physical/city facilities, citizens business, governance and level of services.
Responses were divided into categories of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, or SWOT, then the input was prioritized by category and ranked with the top three priorities in each section. The information was looked at in the context of growth, stability, decline and re-development.
The top three strengths listed by residents include the school district, proximity of resources and a safe and secure town.
The school district is a big draw especially for those not wanting their children in certain other school districts. I'm not judging the opinions of those people, just stating a fact I've learned as a reporter.
One problem mentioned by the consultant who went over the findings was the condition of the district's facilities. A recent bond issue was shot down by voters and now, as budget time approaches, the district will likely be dealing with the same issues again such as aging schools.
While "safe and secure town" is listed as a strength,crime in nearby areas and subsidized housing are listed as numbers two and three on the list of weaknesses. While the respondents didn't come out and say which town had the crime they are worried about it's obvious the town is Port Arthur. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out.
You can draw your own conclusions. I'm certainly not bashing the Port Arthur Police Department. They do a heck of a job and Chief Blanton and his crew work their tails off to make the streets safe and ride PA of gang violence.
As for subsidized housing, I'm guessing they might mean a certain apartment complex located directly across FM 365 in PA but is in Nederland ISD.
So what would bring in new business to Nederland and what business should it be?
There's not room to expand and create a themepark as some citizens said they want so what's some ideas?
Arsons
While many people were out celebrating Independence Day, someone was out setting fires. Scary stuff.
Three fires to be exact.
A vehicle at a construction site, a part of the construction site and a limo parked at a nearby attorney's office were torched.
And we can all remember the arson case that happened in January that destroyed a section of the former Lincoln High School. A hearing was held recently and a juvenile will face charges as an adult.
The 15-year-old will have his day in court and let's let the courts decide his guilt or innocence.
As for me, I'm 44-years-old and cannot remember a time when there was this amount of arson in the area and it's scary.
What if someone had been hurt or killed? Why does someone do these types of crimes?
NOTE
For those who choose to respond, please be civil. No racial remarks please. I think we, as adults, can give an opinion without being ugly about it, ok.
So, grind away.
Let us know if you think Michael Jackson has had enough coverage.
Let us know what you think about the Nederland survey.
And chime in on the topic of arson too.
Have a great day and check back with the Daily Grind because I plan on updating at least once a week, maybe more.
Mary Meaux
Posts
MJ was an incredible entertainer. No doubt about that. It's time to move on, but the 24/7 news channels have to fill that time with something, and I'm afraid we'll be digesting more than we want.
ReplyDeleteYou pose an interesting question on the Nederland survey. There's no room to expand, but what business is there that can bring in money? As far as melon scratchers, that's a honey dew-dle. All I know is I'm glad I'm not Chris Duque.
Good read.
It was a really sad news. he was surronded by controvercy but he was a repectable singer and humanitarian.
ReplyDelete