A Little Less Talk & A Little More Action!

The Herald-Dispatch has been replete, during the last several days, with news articles focusing on issues that must be addressed, if Huntington is to re-establish itself as a community offering a desirable quality of life environment. I am always a little skeptical when a flurry of discussion suddenly gushes forth (during an election year) from public officials and potential office seekers enumerating their solutions for resolving long-standing problems.

Putting aside my skepticism for a moment, I must admit that I am encouraged by the strong indications that critical thinking is in-play on the local and state levels. The issues of dilapidated housing is, in fact, not just a West Virginia problem; it is a national problem. Housing and commercial inventories all across the country are suffering from the ravages of age and neglect. It is an issue that will have to be resolved with assistance from the federal government by means of a massive infusion of capital. Add-in the deteriorating nationwide infrastructure, and it is most apparent that the states are not capable of the enormous revitalization effort that must be undertaken for our cities and towns.

On the local scene, along with dilapidated and fire-damaged housing and commercial structures, there is also recent talk of legislating home rule - and all that that implies - elimination of the economically-damaging Business and Occupation Tax and the implementation of a new taxing system that will provide adequate revenue streams, allowing the City of Huntington to provide quality public services to its residents.

These and many other issues are the topic of conversation and posturing by potential candidates for public office. What the citizens of Huntington deserve is a little less talk and a little more action!

What do you think? (You can have your say anonymously. Just click on "Post Comments"; then, click the button beside "Anonymous" and speak out!)