Non-negotiable citizens' stance has us frozen in place.

Until the citizens of Huntington relinquish their non-negotiable stance of "no new taxes", we will be "frozen in place". Until then, we will continue on our present path of deterioration, rather than experiencing a renaissance! You cannot manage a city without adequate revenue streams to pay for the quality of services that are required for a city to attract new residents and employers, or retain young people who are lured away to more appealing cities. Our city government and our citizens have much work to do.

The key to any revival is basic improvements: a city must be safe; its rubbish collected properly, its streets and sidewalks properly maintained, its schools adequate. How to make our city viable long-term is an unsolved question. An early task ("It's hard work!") is to address the physical problems. We are moving dramatically forward with the revitalization of downtown Huntington - a fantastic leap forward!

However, the problems of a shrinking population and the high number of decrepit houses must be faced, and soon. You cannot go a block without seeing a dilapidated house. Blighted buildings are like cancerous cells; they spread crime and lower nearby property values, gnawing away at Huntington's shrunken tax base.

Many cities share this problem. A good example is Flint, Michigan. I understand that the City of Huntington's plan for our participation in the WV Legislature's pilot "home rule" program incorporates some of the ideas Flint has put into action.

In short, the #1 priority for Huntington is to make it livable, a city that might lure a start-up or retain students after they graduate. The physical task is serious enough. Addressing our area's structural economic problems is a much thornier question.

What do you think?