I found the following anonymous comment in my inbox this morning. It was in response to the Thanksgiving 24/7/365 posting about news that Jennie-O plans another expansion at West Central Turkeys. Does anybody care to answer the question?
"Can the town afford to grow anymore with this type of workforce? My guess is that resources are already tapped to the max. We need more diversity with industry and businesses in town, not a more diverse workforce."
We Asked 50 Legal Experts About the Trump Presidency. They’re Very, Very
Worried.
-
Before the election, we surveyed the legal establishment about what a
second Trump term could mean for the rule of law. A year later, they’re
very, very wo...
1 hour ago
9 comments:
Imagine what could be accomplished if we actually embraced our "diverse" workforce, which doesn't happen at all! And can the town afford it? Doesn't it rely on it?
That comment made me sad.
Can the town afford anymore low income housing? The entire town is already that. This addition might easily fit in a bigger community, but realistically, here? I'm not too sure the area is ready to see more low income housing.
Maybe we should preasure the city to get on the landowners of all the rental properties to start fixing up their rental units. It is embarrasing to drive down Broadway and see the places that look like they are falling apart. One landowner in particular comes to my mind and he does have the money to fix his rental units up. I heard that some of the landowners do just enough to keep their rental licenses up...does the city really think this is good enough? Maybe this would be a great start in attracting more business to town. A little pride goes A LONG way. Pelican Rapids does have potential and is a unique place to live and work...less bad attitude and more effort towards making it even a better place is what we need. City leaders and residents who are willing to work together and get things done will help,too.
The low income housing issue for WCT's expansion should be an eye opener for all of us. I feel sorry for you if you thought someones earlier comment made you sad. Maybe you should step out and look around town and realize it may be right.
i think all of you need to realize that without the turkey plant and the employment that it brings in this community would be a ghost town to which it almost is!! and just what low income housing are you freaks referring to??? a normal rent in this town is between 450-500....this isn't by any means low income....as far as bringing in a diverse workforce if it wasn't for the plant what would we bring them into?? a grocery store or perhaps a bank or a gas station?? as this is all the town consists of....and if you don't like the people that they plant brings in to this town perhaps you should look at who is really bringing them into town it isn't the plant it is luthern social services and the plant is just employing them..... think about how totally ignorant you all sound!! and yes i agree that the slumlords of pelican need to fix up the eye sores that they rent or TEAR THEM DOWN!!
April 02, 2007 3:09 PM was a bit dramatic, but right on the spot. I agree.
I don't know the numbers, I'm just going on observation but I would bet a buck or so that the plant provides a great deal, if not the most funding for the city and that is even subtracting the low income housing.
There are plenty of stores availible for the less diverse, but untill they save us!! let's work together.
Why don't you ask someone who is paying property tax on a higher valued home in the city. I highly doubt that the lower valued homes are really paying the city's bills or the TP that routinely will fight it's valuations in the cities that it does business with. How about the costs of rental assistance, social services, law enforcement, medical assistance, on and on, etc? The TP does provide an economic boost to the area, but up for debate is how much?
What fools you all are! One of only 2 large employers in this town is expanding! And all you can do is complain??? Isn't it enough that you complain about the school system, can't seem to make up your minds about the fire hall, at one point had most of your restraunts closed due to lack of local support, no longer have an active chamber of commerce, and the list goes on and on and on. My God, wake up!! The community is falling apart, and neighbors are back stabbing neighbors. Some community to raise a family and call home.
I raised my family and had several businesses in town over a 30 year stretch in Pelican Rapids, and was proud of the education they got and exposure to different cultures and peoples in the community. The chamber of commerce that worked and supported each other. And frankly the ones making most of the stink and troubles were the good old norwegian locals. Seems things still haven't changed much. Expect that they've gotten louder. What a shame. Can no one stand back and look to the betterment of all not just themselves or their own pocketbook? Doesn't community mean anything at all to you? If one prospers won't they be better able to help the rest of you? Can you no longer work together for the betterment of all? Isn't that what America and community means? The world is watching and reading this too ya know. And frankly, my kids no longer tell anyone, they grew up in Pelican. They're ashamed of the reputation the community has. And they live in large cities in the state! People all over the state as well as the country know of Pelican. It used to be the positive things, like the diversity in the community, the warm hearted greetings and the smiles as you walked the sidewalks. The variety of shoppe's, and the welcoming atmosphere. There's very little businesses even open anymore, no reason to walk down the sidewalks.
And even though, you have a business that will bring in more money to what shoppe's and business left in this small town, you seem to not want it. How sad.
Now, I will admit, that it would be wonderful, if the turkey plant became more involved with the community and more supportive of community events,but then again their directives come from headquarters located in another town also suffering. Perhaps, instead of bitching about the plant the community could pull together and approach Jennie-O Corp with some idea's and solutions to mutual problems. How many of you have even walked through that plant? Seen what it is they do there? It really is a marvel. And if you'd think about it for a minute, could possibly see it as an industry to be proud of and have in your community.
Wake up people. You keep going this way, and Pelican will trully be gone.
I am writing in response to 8:23am! I work at the turkey plant and anyone that works full time makes too much money to qualify for ANY type of public assistance! Furthermore, there are more than just turkey plant employees that get into trouble with the law! Are you people going to try and run every business in town that employs anyone that has ever been in trouble with the law out of town? I too pay taxes on a higher valued home in the city! I have no idea what you are getting at by that statement!! Also, what are you people talking about with the low income housing??? Are you referring to the Ottertail-Wadena Community Action houses??? They are by no means LOW INCOME!! The one house that is up for sale right now is 143,500! I have no idea how the expansion of West Central Turkeys has to do with low income housing! I think that people just have nothing better to complain about so they are picking the one and only thing keeping this town alive to pick on!! It makes me wonder why we all just can't get along, live together and try to keep this community strong and ALIVE!!!!!
Post a Comment