Can we chart a new course for the city?

Here's a prediction that arrives before the new year. If the city of Sikeston does not address a drift in population toward poverty and government assistance, the years ahead for our small community will be marked by continued decline in workforce, retail base and standard of living.

This prediction is most certainly not an indictment against the poor. But the numbers are clear and the challenge is specific. To improve the economic mix within our community will take a resolve like none we've ever faced. Our past efforts have largely failed because - in my opinion - a third of the population perpetuates the problem, a third of our population ignores the problem and the remaining third of our population doesn't know how to address the problem.

If all goes according to plan, Sikeston residents this coming year will approve a new Charter for our city which will divide the community into wards. That move alone will give voice to some who feel they have not had a voice. It will spread the political power base from the north end of Sikeston and redistribute it across a broader horizon. But that alone simply sets the table. It certainly doesn't solve a problem.

The charter does not and perhaps should not address the core problems that face our community. What the charter does essentially is to answer the critics who have long felt the city is under-represented in some areas. Beyond that the charter does ample housecleaning and improves sections of city rules and regulations. But in itself, it is not the full answer.

Why is our school system losing population? Why does our hospital serve an overwhelming number of Medicaid patients? Why, despite a great location and attractive utility rates, have industries opted for other communities? Have we become a welfare community? How do we address these issues?

This coming year will be a critical one for Sikeston. Soon - though no one can predict when - our community will face a challenge that will chart our direction for the years to come. We will either address our problem, formulate a plan of action and make change or we will ignore the obvious and face the consequences. That's about as simple as it comes.