Ok, well, The Morning Journal published a story the other day talking about how the braniacs that run Lorain might not have the money to fix the roads unless the license fee increase goes through. Also, the bribe working it’s way down Oberlin Avenue is there obviously for you to see how ’serious’ they are about fixing the roads. Apparently, this fee increase is going to be used only to improve the main roads. I personally don’t have issue with the increase if it will improve the roads, but I think since well, the vast majority of the roads here are a mess, that more needs to be done than just the main roads. Seems odd to me that the city found the money to completely rebuild Lakeview Park, yet they don’t seem to have the money to fix the roads that lead there.
It’s not just the city government here that’s at fault, it’s the citizens of Lorain themselves. Whenever someone shows up wanting to build or move a business here, the citizens organize against it with fiercely and proficiently. Walmart is a good case in point. Walmart themselves would have to pay property taxes, and property taxes are based on the value of the property. Now, I’m no appraiser, but I think a department store pays a much higher tax rate than a wooded lot, not to mention the taxes paid by the 50-60 employees that would have been working there. Now, Oglebay Norton wants to build a limestone crushing plant here, and of course, the citizens are rallying to put a stop to it, and are most certainly bitching about the condition of the roads all the way to the demonstrations or city council meetings. I also recall a newspaper article where a businessman wanted to move his business from Elyria to Lorain, but the city ‘wasn’t sure they wanted that sort of business on the lakefront’. Give me a break. If we’re going to keep this city from turning into a ghost town, we’re going to have to welcome new business (and jobs, and taxes), into the city. Lorain is the only place on the entire planet that I’ve seen both the city officials and or the citizens themselves thumbing their noses to businesses who are wanting to locate here in Lorain.
In the meantime, vacancy rates climb, foreclosures are four times the national average, and crime is getting worse. There are so many vacant houses in Lorain that the crack heads have their choice of houses to break into and squat while the do their drugs and destroy properties. At the same time, the city lets these vacant properties turn into health hazards. One can hardly drive down the street without seeing vacant homes with grass 2-3 feet tall, doors and windows boarded up, and the properties are a mess. There must be a serious case of denial going on here because the city wants to turn the city into a ‘bedroom’ community to attract residents here. The reality of the situation is much different. Just talk to anyone in the surrounding cities and get their view of Lorain. Lorain is viewed as a town riddled with crime, crack heads, bad roads, and untrustworthy politicians.
And they’re right.
But hey… we have a new beach.
