I have been enjoying the comments and the memories you have been offering. So I am reluctant to move on to threats or obstacles to realizing some of the potential of Pocomoke to be a truly welcoming community where the opinions and views of all are valued. But here goes.
The last leg of our assessment of Pocomoke is to look at obstacles or threats to Pocomoke developing as the citizens wish.
What roadblocks or obstacles do you see for Pocomoke?
Some would argue that negative comments are detrimental. I take a different view. How can you address a problem unless you first name it, quantify it.
There is a model of management theory known as forming-storming-norming-performing. These four stages are considered necessary for growth and development. The forming stage is coming together and getting to know each other. We are doing this now.
We have also entered the second stage, storming. The storming stage is necessary for growth. It can be contentious, unpleasant and even painful to those who are averse to conflict. So we need to be tolerance of all comments and our differences. I don't know if we will come up with viable, positive solutions. I hope we will. So all views are welcome at this point.
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What roadblocks or obstacles do you see for Pocomoke?---------------------------------
ReplyDeleteThere are 3 kind of people in Pocomoke.
1) folks like me that would like to see Pocomoke as it used to be.
2) The older folks that do not want any change, but they don't realize the change that has occurred slowly over the years.
3) The younger folks and the come-heres that want to modernize or try to make Pocomoke like where they came from.
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positive solutions-------------------------------------
Well, I don't know if this is "positive" or not but it sure would be to me.
We need a fresh new start at city hall, we need to clean house and get some new faces at the council table.
Notice my numbered "road blocks" then look at the council. It's made-up of exactly what my 3 "road blocks" present.
How can we really get anything done with a council that bumps heads? This is why Blake makes all the decisions, he has too.
The mayor wants Pocomoke to be California, Blake wants us to be like Atlantic city's water front, Cane wants errrm? I better not say.
All this is why I have tried for years to form a group of people to 'oversee' city hall and it's derisions. We need volunteers made up of people from all walks of life here in our city, from the poor folks to accounts and attorneys.
People just wont do it for some reason, the slow change here is not noticed. It's like gaining weight, the person that's gaining that weight does not notice they are putting on pounds until their pants wont fit.
Now if you lived here 30 years ago and moved away then only to return, what happens when they back roll into town after 30 years? Their mouth drops open and they say what the heck happened here, was there a fire? I have heard those exact words several times from friends and relatives. And when you think about what was here 30 years ago, plant it in your mind then take a ride; even if it's a drive down Clarke Ave. we realize that yes... it does look like we had a major fire that took out the whole town. It's sickening.
That's Folks.
hope for the best, but prepare for the worst
I don't want to see a modern Pocomoke, I want to see a vital Pocomoke. A town that participates in the very activiites that make surrounding downtowns successful, and in the process find our own niche.
ReplyDeleteWe have a wonderful dock, yet at any given time their may be only 5 or 6 boats.
If the city would put in gas pumps for the boaters, they probably wouldn't see any profit from them themselves, but it would be huge for the long range profits of the downtown business's. Not to mention merely introducing newcomers to our town and have them possibly want to stay.
I want to see the downtowns buildings overflowing with tenants and, but to have to pay extra as a business just to be located in the downtown, is only going to keep the fledgling business's away.
Working together is the only way this is going to work and we need to find common ground among our differences.
Yes in 30 years our downtown looks like it had a major fire.
In 30 years with no rental regulations, the jewel of our city has now become a slum.
We need to work to preserve what we have left, and take back our rightful place as the 'Center of Commerce' on the Lower Eastern Shore.
What do I see in Pocomoke?? Potiential. There are basic elements that can lead to viable economic and societal successes. Look at what we have done lately...New firehouse (top shelf), Discovery Center opening, the Marva showing cool movies, HARDWIRE, Freddy Mitchell back where he belongs, Schers still at it, our own skatepark, and numerous other positive things on tap.
ReplyDeleteSomething/some people here are getting things done.
But with all this going for us we seem to always shoot ourselves in the foot. Wiretapping allegations by the mayor, special investigations on issues ranging from last months election to the Frank White issues of ten or so years ago, and many others. It's always something. Repeated I am asked by folks from the northern part of our county the same question, "What the hell is going on down there?? Is it that bad?" My attempts at deflection and whitewashing are beginning to fall on deaf ears.
As a community we need to find an true idenity. "Friendliest town on the Shore"..What the hell is that?? Who gave us that designation?? How did we earn it?? Time for a update??
Just who are we as a community?? What do we as a community stand for?? What will we not tolerate?? What will we represent?? Key questions whose answers will determine our future.