A time for cheerleaders
Bob Ashley’s column in the Herald-Sun this morning is a wrap-up of the year’s designations for Durham from a variety of sources. We’re among the best places to retire, ride out a recession, get a great meal, start a business and on and on. The one thing Bob recounted that struck me as telling was a family discussion about which Thai restaurant to go to. Whew…we’ve come a long way in the last 20 years.
The surfers are out while the storm approaches
As the economic hurricane bears down on us it is important to get out of the surf, put up the storm shutters and maintain these gains and be prepared to press on afterwards. But a word of caution is in order. In a difficult economic period it might be tempting to think enough has been done. This, in my humble opinion, would be a mistake.
Keep the tips coming
We will have a choice to make in the coming election about the prepared food tax. This measure is supported by most of the key people and organizations that have been behind the restoration of Durham’s image as a great place to live. It specifically targets programs that would continue to build on this good work and it will spill over into improving the overall real estate market in Durham and especially the luxury home market because it does emphasize amenities.
The less obvious need
But amenities are the sizzle. There still has to be substance. Much of the poor image that Durham is finally turning around was not based on a lack of amenities for the well off but from a legacy of poverty, struggling schools and crime.
The program at the Durham Downtown Rotary Club last week was presented by a group, DurhamTRY, that is trying to coordinate substance abuse resources for the youth in our city. Groups like these that are attacking poverty, illiteracy, un-employability, addiction, homelessness and crime have to weather the economic storm and press on too. The more fortunate among us ignore this struggle at their own risk…economically and ethically.
