Richland Source Editor,
At last night’s meeting on Mansfield Rising, I asked the question, “Who are you?” What I intended to convey was, “Who the hell do you think you are?”
After more than an hour of positive discussion on how to add to the vitality and beauty of Mansfield, one audience member told the committee that they were all wrong; what we really need is some business to save us.
Well.
The reason that the Rust Belt towns are in trouble to begin with is because businesses left us. The work force was not making a big enough profit for them. One after another they left. Even with “incentives.”
It was many of the people in that room last night who kept the town going … who supported one another … who invested time and energy … who committed to the life of this town. The traditional, pure profit capitalist model hurt this town. It is people and relationships who are keeping it alive.
My money and energy are with the alternative projects proposed that draw on quality of live issues rather than a primary concern for the “bottom line” that build on the collaboration and momentum already evident in downtown.
And my thanks to all who keep this dream going.
Thank you,
Cindy Fowler
Mansfield, Ohio
