To the editor,
The City Council is currently in a quandary over a location for the new City Hall building. After reading tonight's newspaper it appears as if Mr. Crocker is the swing vote. I have to throw my two cents into this mix. First of all as it was stated in the paper, the city of Poplar Bluff has had many opportunities and have tried ferociously to try and draw people back to the downtown area by holding various events. As much as I would love to see this happen I do not see it becoming successful. Years ago the downtown area was such a popular area because it was where a majority of the shopping took place. We all know this is not the norm now. You visit places such as the Cape Girardeau river front. This place has become a very popular location because there are restaurants, shops and other types of businesses people enjoy to visit. Compare this to what Poplar Bluff has to offer. Think about it, a drug rehab, a Dollar General Store, A bank, an Adult Novelty Store ... yeah, we are really attempting to revitalize the area. I would sure want my children and grand-children to visit downtown. Listen, I am not trying to bash a city I live in and have enjoyed my entire life. If it were me, I would love nothing more than to have it the way it used to be. I remember walking or riding my bike to the stores up on Main Street and that was just in the early '70s. I remember listening to my parents and grandparents talk about it all the time. I think it sounded great. But, again I want you to think about how over time the progression of the size of the City of Poplar Bluff has grown outward. Money today, much like back then, is at a prime and of course everyone wants to get all they can for the money they spend, who doesn't? The world of Wal-Marts, all of the fast food chains, motels and other businesses have inundated the entire world. I remember when Newberry's was the place to go down in Valley Plaza. My grandparents would take us to Newberry's to get a shake and hamburger while grandma shopped. Grandma would stop after work at the VA Hospital and go to Big Star across the road, (Where Buffalo Wild Wings is now), to pick up groceries on the way home. You all are probably asking why I am rambling on about years ago? I told you this to open the eyes of a lot of people by bringing back the memories of the past because that is exactly what they are...memories. Just like the old City Hall, it too now is a memory of the past. The City has and is still expanding outwards so why not move City Hall outwards? Lets look at a newer facility. Yes, I know they are talking numbers like $6 to $8 million dollars to build a new City Hall. Folks if we are going to stay up with the ages then lets do this. People, many people have put forth a valiant effort to bring Poplar Bluff back to what it used to be but it just not gonna happen. Times have moved forward and the city must do the same. If you want to revamp the old Lucy Lee Hospital next to Hefner's Furniture then use it. Think of the space, think about having not to rebuild a whole new building because it is already there. However, we do not know how much it would take to shape and mold this building into a workable situation for City Hall. If it is going to cost just as much as building a new facility then I say build the new one from ground up. I know the City Council is doing their very best to make a decision to make everyone happy but this too will not happen. There will always be the people who are going to gripe and moan about every decision the council makes. If they vote one way they will be upset but the funny part is, if they vote another way those same people will find some way to gripe and moan about that. Why, because it is in their DNA to do nothing but attempt to make lives miserable for others. In closing, I will respect the decision the City Council makes hence the reason I will never be on a City Council because I never want to sit there and listen to the naysayers and negativities of many tax payers. To the City Council members, you were voted in to your positions to make these decisions for the citizens. In reference to those decisions...just make one.God Bless You All...
Roger BurtonPoplar Bluff, Missouri