Task #1 - Identify present and future problems; make a plan; work it!

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):

Loss of population

Loss of businesses

Loss of industrial and manufacturing jobs

Deteriorating housing inventory

Condemned and fire-damaged structures

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 and removal of hundreds of large tree stumps

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

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

Establish multiple historic preservation districts and emphasize preservation of significant residential and commercial areas and structures

Recover brick streets on shorter streets to recover their beauty and elegance

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

Solid waste and litter removal and lack of recycling system

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

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

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

Drug use, drug market and crime

Continued development and expansion of the core business district

Community and business development

Qualified candidates running for government leadership positions

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!