Welcome to my blog

This is the first in a series of comments about life in Charles Town. Initially, I will focus on issues that are most important for the next City Council Election, May 28th. Over time, I would like for this site to become a meeting place, via the Internet, for people to share their views and learn about the views of others. We don’t have to agree with one another. We simply need to know we are heard and find ways to work together around common interests and concerns.

I love this town. My wife and I plan to spend the rest of our lives here. I would be honored to be your next City Council representative. Please continue to visit my website as I plan to offer thoughts on ways for Charles Town to be the vibrant, friendly, historic community we all call home.

You can learn more about me by clicking on ABOUT RICH above. You can review some of my interests by clicking on LEADERSHIP & COMMITMENT. You can find out more about the upcoming election, by clicking on VOTING INFO.

I also would like to learn more about you. So, if you’re interested, post a comment. Or, send me an email at rich@vote4rich.org. I look forward to hearing from you.

Bridging the New and the Old

Over the last few weeks, I have walked the neighborhoods of Charles Town. I have talked with neighbors who have lived here all their lives. I have talked with neighbors who are relatively new to this community. It is clear to me, in these conversations, that while each person and neighborhood has their own set of priorities, many of the issues are the same.

People want to maintain their independence, but live in a safe, friendly neighborhood where people look out for one another. They want a nice home they can afford. Many people commute to work, but most would like to work closer to home. They are proud of our rich history and want to preserve and celebrate it. They want to develop a new and more vibrant downtown experience; at the same time develop their own neighborhoods, with places for kids to play and for adults to meet, greet, and celebrate. They want their taxes low, with friendly and efficient government services. They want their water clean and trash picked up on time. They want their neighborhoods walkable and safe. They want quality, affordable healthcare close to home.

If elected, I will do everything I can to bridge the old and the new. I will work to develop a more vibrant, downtown experience, at the same time help our historic and newer neighborhoods develop and preserve their own identity. I will work to develop a more stable local economy, with good paying jobs and career opportunities closer to home. I will do everything I can to help all people—new comers and long-time residents—work together in developing a more vibrant, friendly, historic 21st century Charles Town we call home.

A Sustainable Local Economy

Charles Town, like other communities, has been hampered by a downturn in our economy, with a lowering of home values, increased unemployment, and business foreclosures. However, unlike the nation as a whole, our local banks are strong. Our economic recovery is dependent on addressing three issues.

1. Excess dependency. Approximately one-third of our City’s revenues come from Charles Town Races and Slots, which also employs a high percentage of people in the area. To strengthen our local economy, we must complement this base with expanded education, health care and technology opportunities through collaboration with American Public University, West Virginia University Hospital-East, and other businesses that provide professional career opportunities.
2. An underdeveloped downtown. Charles Town is a virtual monument to our nation’s values. Our downtown architecture is among the finest in the area. The depth and breath of our history is without comparison. To create a more sustainable economy, our City must become more proactive in advancing tourism, bringing in new restaurants and shops, developing vacant properties, and enhancing our streetscape and neighborhoods.
3. Lack of collaboration. Some question the need for collaboration with Ranson and Jefferson County. Decisions about growth and development are not made in the context of a comprehensive strategic plan. To be successful over the long-term, the City must find common ground with Ranson and the County on the tough issues of annexation, use of impact fees, urban growth, and ensuring for efficient provision of city services. It also must advance public/private partnerships, with citizen participation, in support of a common vision and comprehensive plan for our future.

What we do over the next few years will affect our community for many years to come. To ensure for a vibrant and sustainable local economy, we must chart a new course of action that is more responsive to the unique economic conditions of our time.

On Being A Healthy Community

A friend of mine, Jon Comola, recently started a national health care initiative called Leading Healthy Communities. See www.leadinghealthycommunities.com. The site contains great examples of what others have done to become a healthy community. The question is, “What does Charles Town need to do to become known as a healthy community?” For starters, let me suggest three areas for consideration:

1. Health and wellness. While some illness is clearly unavoidable, most of us are in much greater control of our health than we think. Poor diet, lack of exercise, and excessive use of tobacco and alcohol all are associated with the onset of chronic illness. What if our city got serious about cleaning up our water supply, fixing up our parks and recreational equipment, expanding our farmer’s market, and working with local grocery stores and restaurants to provide healthy food and education? Wouldn’t that be a good place to start?
2. Quality medical care. We have a number of fine doctors in town and Jefferson Memorial has provided important hospital services to this community for years. But, many in Charles Town find it necessary to go elsewhere for their medical care. For several years now, WVUH-East hospital has been looking for a new home. Periodically, our Free Clinic has had to turn people away for lack of resources. The nearest medical clinic is located in Harpers Ferry. What if the City got serious about helping develop a new hospital complex, with an adjacent medical clinic and ancillary services…for all income groups? Wouldn’t that be a nice place to start?
3. Chronic care services. Most of us don’t want to think about it, but all of us are going to get old some day and many of us are going to spend more time than we would like being frail, disabled, and a little confused. Some of us have children or will give birth to a child with disabilities. Others are permanently disabled or chronically ill for other reasons. Wouldn’t it be nice if you or your mother didn’t have to leave town to visit your father or her husband in an assisted living facility or drive miles and miles each month to get the special care you need?

Most people don’t think about their City Council as health care leaders, but what if we decided to become known as a model healthy community? Wouldn’t that be a good thing to do? It seems to me that given the cost of health care these days, we can’t afford to do otherwise.

We Live In Tough Times

We live in tough times. We have a proud past. We have a promising future. But, to succeed, we cannot afford business as usual. We must find ways to work together to:

1. Improve our health, by a) cleaning up our city water supply, b) enhancing our parks and recreation services, c) expanding our clinic and hospital capabilities, and d) improving care for seniors. Our health is the fuel for our ability to get things done and live a meaningful life.
2. Create a more sustainable local economy, by a) working with local business leaders to revitalize our downtown, b) working with leadership in Ranson and Jefferson County to improve efficiencies in provision of government services, and c) working with others to develop a business climate with good paying jobs, high quality services, and in keeping with the needs and interests of Charles Town residents.
3. Fully embrace our historic identity, by developing new heritage-related opportunities for learning and celebration, with tourism as a stimulus for enabling others to come and eat in our restaurants, shop in our stores and celebrate the values of our nation’s forefathers who walked these streets over 200 years ago.

In the future, I will offer more information about these issues and identify ways for us to get through these tough times and position our community to be even stronger and more vibrant than we are today.