Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Too bad about Marion
Memo to Marion. Those exhaust fumes are from the bus under which you have just been tossed. Sorry ‘bout that, but Arkansas cannot just go on putting all its’ eggs in one basket.
Governor Beebe has started to let be known what was widely speculated, that he will concentrate on smaller and more diverse projects and not concentrate on sites in the historically impoverished Delta region. That makes some sense so, but if we are going to be really honest, there is more to it.
True enough that places like Marion are perhaps lacking in the skilled workers necessary for a big Toyota plant. Rex Nelson backed up another theory making the rounds. Some of the workforce in the Delta lack the “soft skills” of punctuality, dependability and motivation. These folks need better parenting, for sure.
We need to remember that, as graduates of our quickly improving public school system become available for higher education and jobs, there has to be someplace for them. Arkansas is starting from way behind and we are making big progress. We have earned a break, and that day is coming.
(Broadcast May 7, 2007)
Governor Beebe has started to let be known what was widely speculated, that he will concentrate on smaller and more diverse projects and not concentrate on sites in the historically impoverished Delta region. That makes some sense so, but if we are going to be really honest, there is more to it.
True enough that places like Marion are perhaps lacking in the skilled workers necessary for a big Toyota plant. Rex Nelson backed up another theory making the rounds. Some of the workforce in the Delta lack the “soft skills” of punctuality, dependability and motivation. These folks need better parenting, for sure.
We need to remember that, as graduates of our quickly improving public school system become available for higher education and jobs, there has to be someplace for them. Arkansas is starting from way behind and we are making big progress. We have earned a break, and that day is coming.
(Broadcast May 7, 2007)
