We can't afford to give up

The thought of your child moving away from home for good isn't one most parents enjoy.

What could be daily or weekly visits -- if they could find a good job close to home -- turns into four or five visits a year.

The time spent with your grandchildren isn't the same. What about ballgames? Musicals? Dance recitals?

If they lived close to home, and had a job worth staying for in Greene County, life would be much better.

Unfortunately, that's not the case for everyone. But there are a lot of people working hard to bring jobs to this area so our young people won't be forced to look elsewhere.

It's not easy. But does that mean we give up?

I don't think so.

A comment on the Greene County Daily World's Web site concerning the recent HomeTown Competitiveness survey results has some concerned. Not that the person offered the opinion, but the actual comment.

Let me be the first to say that everyone has the right to their opinion, and shouldn't be chastised for offering it in public.

The comment:

"I fully support the Greene County Foundation but in response to this statement -- Bethell also added that young people in the county are brainwashed into thinking they have to move away to make a living. She advised them to think of something they would really like to do and then go for it. We spent the day with (his son) at his IU orientation and I have told him this ... 'Don't even consider staying here (in Greene County) once you graduate.' It is a fact that Greene County's time is over no matter what we do. He needs to go where he can make a decent life. This is not the fault of anyone in Greene County, it is just how it is. The longer we deceive ourselves and our children, the greater the chance that we doom them to the fate we already suffer. It is time we quit trying to lure business to Greene County and start luring people. Let's change from trying to run our own companies and move to adding those who work in Terre Haute or Bloomington to our citizenry. New ideas for a new reality, that is the future."

Luring people to Greene County? Not a bad idea. They may build new homes, and spend money locally.

But they still must drive 30, 40 or 50 miles to work in Terre Haute and Bloomington. Do you believe gas prices will go down anytime soon?

The bottom line with me is: What happens if we give up?

Do we give up on the idea of bringing jobs to Greene County? What kind of message does that send to the businesses currently located here?

Does Crane want people from Greene County with that kind of attitude?

Joan Bethell (Greene County Economic Development Corporation executive director), Tom Jones (Linton mayor), Roy Terrell (Jasonville mayor), the Greene County commissioners and council, and all the town and city councils in our area have jobs on the tips of their tongues.

Is it all pie in the sky? Maybe.

But we can't stop believing and working toward the goal of helping all Greene Countians, including our children.

Jones promised in his first campaign that he would get young people -- school-aged children and young adults -- involved in his administration. He has kept that promise.

His efforts in getting a youth center in this area haven't panned out yet, but I'm confident it will.

Jones understands the importance of our children remaining in Greene County after high school and college graduation.

We can't drop the ball and hope someone else will pick it up and keep playing the game.

No one cares more about Greene County than Greene Countians.

Give up?

It's not an option.