Dullardsville

With the announcement by national shoe retail chain Kinney that it will close 500 stores, the question is how many people in this area know its first store was located on Broad Street, Waverly, and the founder's former home exists in Waverly, he buried in Candor?

How many know Dodge Avenue, Waverly, was named after the founder of an international manufacturing firm, he the first to apply motion analysis to production. Himself a humorist, he was a good friend of Mark Twain.

And who can name the great natural resource upon which the future growth of our locality's economy depends? Actually, there are two. Also, in front of our blinded eyes are several assets which, if developed, would bring an endless stream of visitors into our valley. Guess?

On this score, in 1990, Tioga County was to have been scheduled to receive $40 million in funding to develop an international airport to serve major industries and be an alternate terminal for aircraft inbound for the metropolitan belt. Major industries in Binghamton, Elmira, and Ithaca inclusive of Cornell University were unanimously for it, but within this county was pressure against it by those who viewed this economic boost as negative to their interest, killing the plan.

It was true, at an earlier date, in 1952, another major boost to the valley economy was defeated when valley businessmen purporting to stand for economic growth refused to meet with the Department of Defense representatives, stating they wanted "no part of government." The production of costly electronic maps for the Air Force went elsewhere, as did the jobs.

Did you know today we pay for studies that are rehashes of studies already done, hire people to promote blue sky and green grass, with great fanfare focus on minor accomplishments and are deaf, dumb, and blind to our rich potential? USDA long ago identified sites for the creation of two major lakes within a few miles of this valley. We know nothing about our historic past, little understand there is direction there which can lead us to a glorious future. But who is to tap our multi-veined riches? Not government, too narrowly construed, nor its hired people. We muddle along, leaderless and without solid ideas, creating positions and organizations not meant to succeed if you look at our immediate past in measurement. We know nothing, and our schools do nothing to impart knowledge and stimulate thinking patterns that will recognize and build on our local heritage. Our minds are closed.

Some day somebody may write a book called "Dullardsville." It will be about an imaginary community where the past is forgotten, the present is meaningless, and the future is unaddressed. To avoid such stigma, not to tempt that label, needed is a fresh start at creative thinking. Were there but ten good men with ability and with some degree of perspective, each with an ambition to leave his or her grandchildren something more than money, more than the personal material things we too much value! Oh, to harness the dynamic forces on hand, and be as were our Founding Fathers, sharing their vision of a more perfect American society! It can be here. Where are you, my friends? It is time for my generation to pass the torch. Your effort may succeed where we have not. You are the 21st Century, the Centurions of a new age. Or instead should we expect some author somewhere to begin a book and entitle it in such a way as to awaken failing communities, as you would shock to life an ebbing heart, hoping that such shock was not too late to restore vitality in our special community.