For years now, those words have been displayed in the upper windows of a building on Second Street. Whether it’s December or July, the sign is always there, spreading holiday cheer. It may as well read, “Nobody’s been up here in a very, very long time.”
The first time I noticed it, I was a little bemused. Lately, however, I’ve been thinking of it as a metaphor for something larger: Our need to modernize.
Southern Ohio has a rich history, and one we should be very proud of. It can be difficult to drive through this part of the state without seeing something that reminds us of that past, whether it’s Spartan Stadium, a former manufacturing site or just a historic building or bridge.
Because there’s so much history and beauty around here, there are some who are reluctant to change any of it. Our history, after all, is something that makes us unique. It’s not the only thing, though. A decade of staggering poverty and unemployment also makes us unique, and the need to change that has to trump everything else.
When Shawnee State University tore down a row of old houses to expand their dormitories, some saw that as a loss of history. Anytime you can look at a university that has grown so much it needs to expand and see that as a negative, you’re looking at it from the wrong angle. We need SSU to grow. According to U.S. Census data, only 13 percent of Scioto County residents have at least a bachelor’s degree. That’s a full 10 percent lower than the state average.
We need that number to increase, and having a thriving, local university makes that possible. The continued success of universities such as Shawnee State, or employers like SOMC, is good for southern Ohio.
They create jobs, bring people into the area and generate revenue for the city and county. When these types of organizations have the opportunity to grow, it’s something we should embrace.
Because life in Appalachia has never been easy, those who live here tend to be resilient and resourceful. Ours is a legacy of adapting to tough times and becoming stronger through the effort. When the economy called on us to farm, we farmed. When it required us to manufacture, we manufactured.
Now, we have an economy where job skills are increasingly specialized and education is essential. Between the university that can churn out professionals and the employers that use them, we have the foundation we need to begin adapting once again. Granted, we still have a long way to go, but embracing the change would seem to be a good first step and the best way to honor our history of perseverance.
ERIC KEPHAS can be reached at 740-353-3101 ext. 234 or ekephas@heartlandpublications.com
You keep beating a dead horse it was never meant to be it was a way to obtain all that property for Shawnee State the taxpayers were going to foot the complete bill and if you care to take some time instead of going off the deep end the fact is no major department store made any commitment the only one was Martings which was going to have a open hallway into the supposed fantasy mall.
Heres a clue go to the Portsmouth city clerks office and ask for a copy of the mall contract and read it well maybe you'll change your tune.
The so called today's Martings foundation was behind it
and if you'll look which I doubt you will look at old Portsmouth times articles telling some
facts about it
and you'll see that the attorney for the mall the
famous CClayton Johnson ? sound familiar ?
Say "tell", how is it you aren't a council person or office holder yourself? Someone who has all the answers like you?
Any time a city destoys its history, which has now happened across the entire City of Portsmouth, or course it can not be returned.
Most Universities in the USA, love to incorporate the older buildings they acquire as part of their campus. Look at Ohio University in Athens, they incorporate, they dont demolish. Look at Harvard and Yale's Campuses. Even Frank Taylor himself, the University President of the time, wanted to save these old homes and make them dorm apartments but the board was against him.
Charleston, South Carolina tears nothing down. A house or building will sit until it is restored. Portsmouth tears most all historic buildings down. Is Charleston a growing thriving area, full of business and industry ? Yes. Is Portsmouth ? No. People travel to Charleston because of the preserved historic splendor. They dont travel to Portsmouth to see historic buildings, they have all been demolished.
Some of the most beautiful Movie Theater's in Ohio, were in the City of Portsmouth. Those lots now are empty, bank drive thru's, gravel parking lots, etc.
Plus when Ohio University Portsmouth Branch, gave way to the new Shawnee State Community college, it was reported in the papers, jobs and industry will come. Then when it became a university around 1987, it was repeated jobs and industry will come, basically as its said now. Its been over 30 years, nothing is here.
Just like the councilmen said, in the Portsmouth Times, Portsmouth better days are ahead. Its cute, sweet, makes one feel good to talk like that. But I am sorry, jobs and industry dont come knocking on your door you must go out and recruit them, and the City of Portsmouth does none of that. Thats why this city is dead and getting worse.
The reporter goes on to say "Now, we have an economy where job skills are increasingly specialized and education is essential. Between the university that can churn out professionals and the employers that use them, we have the foundation we need to begin adapting once again."
But what you failed to ask is who is going to recruit them here ? They know Shawnee State University is in Portsmouth, Ohio and it produces college graduates, but do you see them moving into town beating on Portsmouth door to locate here ? No. Your city government and judges are worried about new city buildings, new police stations, pay raises, new cars for office holders.
Until you have a government of educated people who are experienced in recruiting industry you will have no jobs here. $2 Million dollars spent on an empty Martings building and how much spent on an empty Adelphia Building, could have been used to hire a professional in recruitment of jobs and industy.
You have a Scioto Country welcome center, built with Federal taxpayer money, but you have no Industry recruitment center. Why didnt the local officials say we dont need a Welcome Center, we need an Industry Recruitment Center. The priorities are all wrong in this city. What industry has located inside the city limits since Selby She factory left in 1959 and Williams in about 1976 ? None.
Huntington, West Virginia has Marshall Univesity, they have jobs and industry and Amazon located a new facility there and created jobs in the past few years.
Charleston, West Virginia has the University of Charleston, Macys Department Store put a new fulfilment center there and created 1,200 jobs.
Portsmouth, Ohio has Shawnee State University and neither one of these companies came to Portsmouth. Why ? They were not offered incentives, they were not recruited, Portsmouth was busy trying to pass income tax increases and new city building levies.
Charleston and Huntington raise tax money through jobs and Industry. Portsmouth does it the lazy way, add a new levy to tax the few who have a job here.
Thank you.