Rust-Belt Economy
Dear Editor: Looking at the history of the Rust-Belt, clear warnings exist for Sitka. Midwestern and eastern cities bet everything on business. When the world changed, these cities plunged into economic and social disrepair. Only now, an emphasis on community has achieved some initial steps along the incline leading to restoration. The restoration of community values has nudged the Rust Belt economy forward.
Tech and other startups have noticed a rebound in community. This has attracted them.
Sitka definitely is looking at reduced state funding. Fishing may or may not continue to be viable, depending on ocean ecology and level of over-utilization. Tourism is under pressure from competition. When I listen to our candidates for office who promise increased emphasis on business, I am forced to ask how business will sustain the community. No, our schools, our health care, our arts and our multicultural society are what will sustain business.
If the candidates running on a business platform mean that they intend to destitute our social values in order to make existing businesses more profitable, then these candidates are false prophets. If these candidates intend to support our quality social values, the basis of our high quality of life, then they are promoting the conditions that modern businesses thrive on. We might make a more forceful effort to let the world know that this is a town where our civil accomplishments make business a pleasure.
John Welsh, Sitka
