Blytheville has untapped potential

To the Editor:

Change in welcoming new businesses is the key for growth. Blytheville is in a prime location that has the potential to become a major industrialized city. It is strategically located along a major interstate (I-55) adjoining 3 states (Missouri, Arkansas, & Tennessee). Instead of major factories, businesses, organizations and jobs moving away from and through Blytheville going to Jonesboro, the city of Blytheville and its Council leaders ought to seize the opportunity of learning from many past years of failure and capitalize on revitalizing above and beyond the city's most prosperous formal years in history.

In making Blytheville an attractive 'go-to' city in the tristate area, here are a few suggestions that I believe will lead to a prosperous future and positive change:

-'Main' street can really use a total make-over, out with the old and rebuild with the new;

- many abandoned homes should be dismantled and lots cleaned;

- city codes should be modified and adjusted accordingly to hold homeowners, landlords, and apartment managers accountable for the cleanliness of their properties;

- hotels and motels that are not within city code regulations should be closed until they are either at or above standards;

- more city jobs should be created for the upkeep of the city cleanliness and maintenance, ensuring public places (i.e. parks, streets, etc...) are properly cared for and updated with modern equipment;

- and, there should be an enforced ban (within public places) on vehicles disturbing the peace with loud music, loitering, people walking in streets and/or abruptly blocking thru-traffic, and use of profane language in public places.

Become a city that well-invests at all levels and is built on respect; and, it will be a known and received as a respectful city that's of interest for positive business growth.

Owen Watson