Letter to the Editor

Simple solutions to city's problems

Friday, May 18, 2012

To the editor:

Blytheville is rapidly dying and it doesn't have to be. There are some very simple actions that can be taken at no cost to save a wonderful historical city with very good credentials.

Some simple actions are offered in good faith as follows:

School problem and loss of population. Solution: Combine Armorel, Gosnell and Blytheville school systems. The federal government solved the Little Rock School system by filing a lawsuit and won. Problem disappeared.

High unemployment over 15 years of over 11 percent. Solution: Establish a skilled labor-training program. The assets are presently available and the students are available.

Stop citizens and businesses from buying out of town. Shop at home: Excellent facilities and citizens available waiting for the opportunity. Many available facilities at former base that are deteriorating to the extent that they will have to be torn down soon. Appears money and support readily available through volunteers and businesses. Support for a business incubator program.

Abide by the state and federal laws. Data indicates that Blytheville and Mississippi County waste millions of dollars by not conforming to the requirements of the law. Common sense for any operation to succeed is to follow the basic ingredients for the decision-making process, which are planning, organization, communications, direction and control.

Establish professional staffs by sharing the cost and services with other small towns. An engineering department that is shared with the county and other small towns on a shared cost basis could result in first-class infrastructures at a minimum cost.

These simple suggestions can save millions of dollars and at the same time eliminate the good-old boy cliques, who are a barrier to good leadership. This area has the leadership quality but is not allowed to lead because there are no followers. It is either wake up Blytheville, or good-bye Blytheville. It can't be both.

Edward Ray Clouse
Blytheville