TASK #1 - Citizens' Understanding & Discussion

TASK #1 - To educate all of the residents of Huntington and to encourage their participation in a community-wide discussion of Huntington's present and future problems.

We must first identify our problems and ensure that all citizens have a thorough understanding of the facts regarding each issue - and the financial burden associated with resolving each. You can't have a plan of attack without possessing a thorough knowledge of each issue, and just as important our citizens must have the will to get involved in the development of a strategic plan for overcoming our critical quality of life issues.

Here are some of the critical issues that the citizens of Huntington must address (not in priority order):

1. Loss of population



2. Loss of businesses



3. Loss of industrial and manufacturing jobs



4. Deteriorating housing inventory



5. Condemned and fire-damaged structures



6. Infrastructure: combined sewer system; closure of landfill by 2017; establish new solid waste landfill; condition of streets, curbs and gutters; condition and care of trees throughout the city



7. Litter elimination through re-education and equipping all city streets with trash and cigarette butt disposal equipment.



8. Negative impact of Business and Occupation Tax; seek and obtain Home Rule status for the city



9. Establish multiple historic preservation districts and emphasize preservation of significant residential and commercial areas and structures.
   
   
10. City government's union contracts, pension plans, self-insured insurance program; city's inadequate workforce in all departments. Investigate benefits and pitfalls of departmental privatization.



11. Solid waste and litter removal and lack of recycling system



12. Low voter registration, turnout and the participation of citizens in their government; citizens have "detached" and do not stay informed about the issues that affect present and future residents



13. Aging of population and the inability to retain young people and the "creative class"



14. Lack of enforcement of all city ordinances related to private and commercial properties



15. Drugs and crime



16. Continued development and expansion of the core business district



17. Community and business development



18. Qualified candidates running for government leadership positions



19. Improved education; emphasis on stronger teacher standards and development

How about adding additional issues that you have recognized. You can do it anonymously. Just click on "Post Comments" at the end of this posting. Then, click the button beside "Anonymous" and list additional issues that need to be addressed. Your name will not show up, so go ahead and have your say!

In my next posting, we will discuss the "next step", or "tactics", we must pursue to implement our "strategy" of renewing Huntington.