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Does Everyone Suffer From Freud’s Alleged Death Wish?

In Entertainment, Health, Media, Opinion, psychology, Science, television, Uncategorized on April 30, 2012 at 10:52 pm

Sigmund Freud, by Max Halberstadt, 1921

By Gery L. Deer

Deer In Headlines

Sigmund Freud said that most people have a death wish, a desire, often deeply repressed, for self-destruction, often accompanied by feelings of depression, hopelessness, and self-reproach. Arguably, Freud’s theories have been the subject of considerable controversy and debate over the years but his impact on psychology, therapy, and culture is undeniable.

Debunked or not, psychology’s most famous figure may have hit this proverbial nail right on the head. At least that’s how it seems taking into account how many things people do while fully aware of potentially lethal consequences; for example, smoking, alcohol, recreational drug use, skydiving, auto racing, base jumping and other high-risk behavior.

It could be argued that some of these activities are no more dangerous than getting in the car in the morning and driving to work. Considering the safety measures involved in the case of something like skydiving, a quick spin in a Chevy would most likely be far more dangerous.

Of course, once someone starts taking drugs or abusing alcohol, a chemical addiction takes over and impedes their ability to stop. But they’re not the only ones.

Some experts suggest that so-called adrenaline junkies are not all that different from their AA-going counterparts. Similar addictive reactions occur in the bloodstreams of extreme athletes and even serial criminals, not for drugs but adrenaline. The high brought on by the endorphin rush can be overwhelming and highly addictive.

If the experts are right, treatment may be in order to help quell the desire for such extreme behavior. But, that doesn’t answer the main question – how do they start in the first place?

Could there actually be an inborn drive that blinds some people to the relative, even inescapable dangers, associated with risky behavior? Is it possible that some people are genuinely motivated by an involuntary drive akin to Freud’s death wish?

Blaming television and other entertainment media for romanticizing risky behavior is always an option, but only to a point. While these influences do affect modern society, they can hardly be blamed for anything prior to about 75 years ago.

Before the mass media evolved into what it is today, habitually addictive activities like smoking and alcohol use were predominantly passed on through families or influenced by social circles. Plus, the detrimental effects of these substances was not yet widely known or accepted.

It could be that people are just examining these issues far too closely. Maybe, to use another Freudian colloquialism, a cigar is just a cigar. Isn’t it at least possible that people simply do dumb things sometimes without deep, psychological forces at work? Of course it’s possible.

Psychoanalyzing risky behavior may rack up tons of cash for shrinks, but it’s entirely possible that some people just enjoy these activities for their own sake. Unfortunately, some of them become addicted to the rush, the drug, the adrenaline, or whatever it is that hooks them, and some even die as a result.

Life is dangerous – even if it’s unintentional. No matter the lifestyle, no one escapes Freud’s alleged death wish. Whether it’s a compulsion for that first cup of morning coffee or an obsession with shoe shopping, extreme behavior hits everyone in one way or another.

Sometimes the things a person appears to enjoy in life the most are exactly what may be killing them, or may eventually. Lifestyle changes or even therapy may be necessary, but the individual is the only one who can change the behavior.

 

 

 

 

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Live Bullwhip Show To Open Indy Jones Film at Murphy Theatre

In Entertainment, Local News, Senior Lifestyle, Sports News, Uncategorized on April 28, 2012 at 10:09 am

Raiders of the Lost Ark was the first of 4 Indiana Jones movies. It will play at 7PM on May 12 at The Murphy Theatre in Wilmington, Ohio.

WILMINGTON, OH – Award-winning bullwhip artist and writer, Gery L. Deer of Jamestown, will perform at the Murphy Theatre in Wilmington on Saturday evening, May 12th in conjunction with the showing of the blockbuster film, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Working in the traditional “Indy” costume, Deer will entertain for a short time outside the theater beginning around 6:30 p.m., and then move to the Murphy’s historic stage for full performance before the movie begins at 7 o’clock. Tickets are just $5, sold at the door.

A successful entrepreneur and columnist, Deer, 44, is internationally recognized as an expert whip artist and instructor. He is the founder of the Society of American Whip Artistry and holds multiple titles in whip speed and accuracy. In 2007, he was selected Wild West Performer of the Year by the International Knife Throwers Hall of Fame.

In addition to working on stage from Ohioto Las Vegasover the last two decades, Deer develops custom whip holstering equipment for feature films, including the 2003 movie, The Rundown. He appears regularly on national television programs like NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” and local broadcasts including WRGT-TV’s Fox 45 in the Morning and WDTN-TV/Channel 2’s Living Dayton.

“The Indiana Jones movies gave rise to a worldwide interest in the whip and the momentum has kept up over the years,” said Deer, who is also a professional freelance writer and marketing consultant. “It’s always better with a live audience and I’m looking forward to giving movie goers at the Murphy something they will always remember.”

In early 2010, Deer’s work was featured in a segment of the ThinkTV/CH16 program, Our Ohio, in a feature story about The Whip Artistry Studio, his whip performance and educational facility based inJamestown. The exclusive whip school is the only one of its kind in theUnited States and provides certified, professional instruction in the use of the bullwhip as a sport and performance art.

The Murphy Theatre is located at50 West Main Streetin downtownWilmington,Ohio. For directions or more information go online to http://www.themurphytheatre.org and click on the Events link, or call, toll-free, (877) 274-3848. To learn about The Whip Artistry Studio visit http://www.thewhipstudio.com.

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Jamestown Entrepreneur Featured Expert on Monthly TV Segment

In Business, Economy, Entertainment, Jobs, Local News, Media, Senior Lifestyle, television, Uncategorized on April 28, 2012 at 9:16 am

(From Left) Nathalie Basha, Gery L. Deer and Zuri Hall on the set of Living Dayton.

JAMESTOWN, OH – Beginning at noon on Thursday, May 3rd, writer, entrepreneur Gery L. Deer, managing director of GLD Enterprises Commercial Writing in Jamestown, will be the guest expert on the first in a series of monthly small business segments on the WDTN-TV, Channel 2, show Living Dayton. Each interview will cover one of a wide variety of topics from creative marketing techniques to time management.

Best known locally for his work as a freelance columnist and author of the weekly opinion/editorial series, Deer In Headlines, Deer’s entrepreneurial career started in 1993 when he established one of the area’s first on-site, computer support companies – Deer Computer Consulting.

In 1998, with the computer firm well-established, he opened an entertainment and media promotions company but changed its focus several years later. Today, GLD Enterprises Commercial Writing is an award-nominated business writing and marketing practice based in Jamestown, Ohio.

The firm provides concierge (on-demand) freelance business writing, public relations and marketing consulting services. In addition to working with small business, the company also provides marketing and publicity assistance to independent, self-published authors.

“My goal each month on the Living Dayton segment is to offer Dayton area small business owners useful insight and suggestions that they can put into practice immediately,” Deer says. “There’s only so much you can talk about in a few minutes on the air, but if someone can take that information and better their situation then we’ve done what we set out to do.”

Hosted by Nathalie Basha and Zuri Hall, Living Dayton is a live, one-hour lifestyle talk show featuring a variety of news and entertainment information from around the Miami Valley. The show premiered in February of 2012, replacing the noon-hour news program on Channel 2.

In addition to his commercial endeavors, Gery L. Deer also serves as the volunteer public relations coordinator on the board of advisors for the Fairborn Community Center and director of the Western Ohio Writers Association, which offers educational, critique and networking opportunities for writers in southwest Ohio. The small business segment featuring Deer as guest expert will air on the first Thursday of each month. For more information go online to www.gerydeer.com or visit the Living Dayton page at WDTN.com.

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Winners Announced in DNT TXT ‘N DRV PSA Video Contest

In Education, Health, Local News, Uncategorized on April 18, 2012 at 7:41 am

Students from 46 High Schools in 6 Counties Competed for Prizes

Featured (from left) John Zeller of Farmers Insurance, Anna Knippling, David Butcher and Olivia Ramage, all of Yellow Springs High School, and Laurie Fox, Greene County Safe Communities Coordinator. Students from Yellow Springs High School were awarded prizes for entries submitted in the DNT TXT N DRV PSA video contest.

Xenia  – The Greene County Safe Communities Coalition and the Drug-Free Healthy Communities Coalition in Greene County recently teamed up to tackle the issue of Texting While Driving with a 30-second video contest aimed at high school students.

The contest was developed to encourage teens to create a thirty-second public service announcement that could be used by the local media to show the dangers of texting while driving and encourage drivers to refrain from this very dangerous behavior.  Forty-six high schools in six counties – Champaign, Clark, Fayette, Greene, Madison and Miami – were invited to participate.  There were two divisions: 9th/10th grade and 11th/12th grade.  Prizes for 1st – 3rd place in each division were secured through the generosity of Farmers Insurance and Walmart that included a Kindle Fire for 1st place, a Kindle and a $25 Amazon gift card for 2nd place and a $100 Visa gift card for 3rd place.  Judges for the contest included members from both coalitions, students from Xenia High School and staff from WDTN TV.  Winners were announced at Ohio SADD’s Prevention Convention in Sharonville on March 8th.

In the 9th/10th grade division, 1st place was awarded to Olivia Ramage, a 10th grader at Yellow Springs High School, 2nd place was awarded to Anna Knippling, a 9th grader at Yellow Springs High School, and 3rd place was awarded to Benjamin Lusk, a 10th grader at Xenia Christian High School.  In the 11th/12th grade division, 1st place was awarded to Cody Walborn, an 11th grader at Springfield High School, 2nd place was awarded to Holly Black, a 12th grader at Piqua High School and 3rd place was awarded to Kendrick Link, also a 12th grader at Piqua High School.

The coalitions are working with WDTN TV in hopes of having the 1st place videos aired this fall when the station runs their WAIT2TXT campaign.  Both coalitions are planning to work together again in 2013 to hold a similar contest focusing on teen driver safety.

For more information about the contest or the coalitions and how you can get involved, please contact Laurie Fox, Safe Communities Coordinator, at 937-374-5669 or by email at lfox@gcchd.org.  For more information on texting and driving, visit http://www.distraction.gov.

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Revising the Book of Romney

In Business, Economy, Jobs, National News, Opinion, Politics, Religion, Uncategorized on April 17, 2012 at 8:38 am

Mitt Romney will have to work hard to earn the 'regular guy' vote in November. Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images.

By Gery L. Deer

Deer In Headlines

Presidential GOP front runner Mitt Romney has been repeatedly criticized as being elitist, out of touch, self-aggrandizing and focused only on his capitalist endeavors for gaining wealth. Critics say that he has absolutely no idea what the average American has to go through just to make ends meet in today’s economy, and, unfortunately, his own words have reinforced that image.

During a speech on theMichigan campaign trail, Romney commented that his wife had two Cadillacs. He was attempting to show people that his family owned American-built cars, trying to relate to theDetroit audience. Instead, he left the impression that he thinks that every stay-at-home mom can afford to own two luxury vehicles. Out of touch, or just bad speech preparation?

During the run of the GOP primaries, Romney has often presented himself as snobby, elitist and completely misunderstanding of the challenges faced by today’s worker. His multi-million-dollar income affords him at least two homes, vacations all over the world and much more. But while people are criticizing that kind of success, it’s important to remember that President Obama has also spent a great deal of his adult life in the lap of luxury.

As he finished his first year in office the president reported more than $5 million in personal income; not bad for a junior senator fromIllinois. Like Romney, his fortunes have accumulated because of good financial decisions and investments in the capitalist system – a fact Democrats like to downplay whenever possible.

The truth is, neither man can truly grasp what it’s like to have to scrape together enough money to feed a family or worry that his paycheck won’t be enough to keep the electricity on for another month. But some are working to help change Romney’s image.

Author Jeff Benedict has just released an updated edition of his 2007 book, The Mormon Way of Doing Business, featuring a new chapter about Republican front runner Mitt Romney. Benedict touts a lifetime of the formerMassachusetts governor’s selfless good deeds; from his church-going youth to his big-business adulthood.

No doubt the author added the chapter to use Romney’s fame as a way to refresh book sales, but whatever the motive he does reveal a softer side to the Mormon candidate. In one story Romney grabbed a shovel to assist a family friend after a wildfire nearly destroyed their home. In another, he mobilized a city to search for a missing girl.

In 1996, when the 14-year-old daughter of a business partner disappeared, Romney mobilized the business community and local authorities, creating a command post at his office and utilizing his position to leverage assistance wherever possible. Thankfully, the girl was found, but relatively few know of Romney’s involvement in the incident.

While these stories are emotionally compelling and help to humanize a man who is often seen as cold and without compassion, the timing of their release is precarious. At this point, trying to throw out selfless tales of heroism and personal generosity will likely be reflected by critics as grandstanding from the Romney camp in an effort to win over a few bleeding hearts.

Romney’s business savvy is without question, but can the same be said for his integrity and commitment to working on behalf of a country shackled by an ever-increasing deficit and floundering economy? It’s hard to imagine that a few kind anecdotes will be enough to change his harsh, all-business image enough to sway voters to unseat the president in November.

Given the number of delegates he’s earned in the primaries, the former governor certainly seems a shoe-in for the GOP nomination. If he is chosen to run on the Republican ticket, the challenge will be to convince the majority of the country to give up Obama-ism and follow the book of Romney. It’s too bad the Prophet Moroni didn’t leave behind another golden book to guide his way like the one Joseph Smith found. Romney will simply have to rely on opinion polls and CNN, just like everyone else.

 

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Don’t Believe Everything You Read. Seriously, don’t.

In Entertainment, Local News, Media, Opinion, Politics, psychology, television, Uncategorized on April 3, 2012 at 12:29 pm

By Gery L. Deer

Deer In Headlines

 

For reasons I still can’t totally understand, many people insist on believing whatever they read on a printed (or digital) page, regardless of how inane or baseless the material may seem. Generally the topic or tone falls in line with the reader’s interests or personal opinions and if it strikes them just the right way they fall for it, bait, hook and headline.

For example, while I appreciate the loyalty of my readers, I always encourage them to explore for themselves whatever topics I present and not simply take my word for it. An op-ed (opinion-editorial) column like mine offers one or two viewpoints about a particular topic but always has a ‘slant’ to it. For the author, the column can serve several purposes.

Some op-ed columnists are simply trying to put a voice to a particular viewpoint and provide food for thought to the reader. Others are doing everything they can to sway public opinion, by whatever means available to them, even by misrepresenting the facts.

Talk radio personalities and television news commentators offer the broadcast version of a written editorial column, usually with a much wider reach and, thus, a larger audience. Broadcast celebrity opinionists (my word for them) have one goal which is to please the advertisers by increasing ratings.

Banging on the desk and yelling, playing sound bites out of context and using as much spin as possible, these over paid blowhards ply the mushy brains of audiences with a lot of self-appointed authority. That authority is false but accepted by the masses, leaving them unable to tell the difference between fact and sensationalism.

Eventually, the Internet provided yet another outlet as audiences took to the computer screen for their news and information. So much pseudo-journalism has flooded the web that many now question the legitimacy and accuracy, not to mention the political slant, of modern news agencies. Take blogs for example.

The word blog is a shortened form of web log. Blogging started out simply enough as the ramblings of disgruntled workers or bored housewives who found an audience for their personal diatribes in the vast wasteland of the information superhighway. Over time, the number of blog followers has begun to surpass broadcast news and print journalism.

Depending on the content, a blog can attract millions of readers worldwide. According to the website InitialTraffic.com, the official blog of The Huffington Post was the most visited blog website of 2011 citing millions of hits for the publication. Other blogs have become mainstream resources, having transformed from op-ed material to news and video content.

Competition for subscribers and high-volume audiences is fierce between media outlets and some will do whatever it takes to keep advertising and subscription revenue coming in. It’s important that readers know the difference between opinion, editorial, news and sensationalist content. But how do you tell the difference?

An article or broadcast story that can be considered ‘news’ will provide the reader with the who, what, why, when and how of a topic, giving you the information without commentary or speculation. An opinion or editorial piece will include conjecture or literally offer the writer’s views in an attempt to slant the story or alter public perception of the topic.

In my columns, I generally cite the facts of a current event, a quote by a politician (in its entirety, so the context is clear), express the concerns of fellow citizens or I will base the work on a historical reference of some kind. The idea is to provide the solid, factual basis for whatever argument I wish to make.

For all of the chatter online, on television and on the radio, your local newspaper, in my opinion, is still your best bet for accurate news coverage regarding events immediately affecting you and your family. Online or in print, it offers a ground-level look at the day-to-day happenings without the ‘noise.’ Whatever your choice for news and commentary, be an informed reader.

 

DEER IN HEADLINES SPONSORED BY:

GLD Enterprises Commercial Writing

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Fairborn Community Center Breakfast and Tent Sale Fundraiser April 14

In Business, Economy, Education, Health, Jobs, Local News, Religion, Senior Lifestyle, sociology, Uncategorized on March 29, 2012 at 4:52 pm

FAIRBORN – The Fairborn Community Center, located at 1076 Kauffman Ave., on the east end of Skyway Plaza, will be holding a fundraising pancake breakfast and Second Chance Boutique tent sale beginning at 9a.m. on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Tickets for breakfast are $ 5 for adults, $3 for children which includes a selection of pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice and breakfast pastries.

The Fairborn Community Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit referral, advocacy, and educational organization that provides vital community resource programs including Summer Lunch, SonSet Café, Son Ministries, The Christmas Project, Tuesdays Together, and Second Chance Boutique. Second Chance Boutique is the community center’s high-end thrift store which offers a wide selection of high-quality items ranging from clothing to furniture and electronics to household goods.

“The goal of the event is to raise awareness and funding for the Community Center and its programs,” says Jen Lyman, Executive Director. “We want to have a breakfast on the second Saturday of each month to help support seasonal programming.” Proceeds from this event will benefit those receiving services.

The programs offered through the organization provide resources for people dealing with issues revolving around hunger, housing, transportation and education. According to Lyman, the Community Center is more than just a stand-alone organization. It has, “Evolved into a supportive network of friends and neighbors working together to improve the wealth of the community by improving the lives of its people.”

The facility also provides a needed meetings space to several outside organizations such as the OSU 4-H program, the Christian Alliance, the Fairborn House of Prayer Team, Family and Children First’s Parenting classes, the Western Ohio Writers Association, Fairborn Girls Softball and three church groups.

Parking at the event is free and plentiful. Breakfast continues until 1 p.m. and the tent sale will end at 4 in the afternoon. For more information, call (937) 878-6061 or visit www.fairborncommunitycenter.org.

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Here On Gilligan’s Island: TV’s Sociological Snapshot

In Entertainment, Opinion, Politics, psychology, Religion, Science, sociology, television, Uncategorized on March 27, 2012 at 9:02 am

Gilligan's Island served as a humorous microcosm of American society.

By Gery L. Deer

Deer In Headlines

In 1963 television writer, producer Sherwood Schwartz created a short-lived situation comedy that, unbeknownst to audiences, provided a peak through a unique magnifying glass into the human condition. Panned by critics and adored by viewers, Gilligan’s Island became one of the most re-run shows of all time and earned a unique place in the annals of American pop culture.

Between 1964 and 1967, 98 original episodes of the show aired when it was suddenly cancelled before a fourth season could be filmed. Surprisingly, the show ran aground, not because of faltering ratings (it was always in the top 20) but instead because the president of CBS wanted to revive his wife’s favorite program, Gunsmoke, which had already drifted into the sunset.

Often taken too seriously by critics and sometimes misunderstood even by its fans, the premise of Gilligan’s was simple. Seven people set out on a scenic, three-hour cruise around theHawaiian Islands aboard the S.S. Minnow when an unexpected storm tossed their tiny ship and left it wrecked on the shore of an uncharted island.

Marooned more than 300 miles from their original course and left with only a transistor radio, a tool chest, four blankets and the clothes on their backs (which never seemed to wear out) the castaways had little hope of rescue. As if that wasn’t enough, each opportunity for escape from their tropical island nest was agonizingly thwarted – usually thanks to the ineptitude of the boat’s lovable, yet bungling first mate, (Willie) Gilligan.

Regardless of what people thought of the show, however, even today, the durability of Gilligan’s Island still leaves entertainment experts scratching their heads. It’s possible, though, that most people simply missed the point.

Gilligan’s offered us more than just 23 minutes of slapstick escapism. Along with campy, cartoon-like comedy, the program granted viewers a humorous and remarkably detailed glimpse of themselves.

Seven people, each of whom represented different social positions, were required to work together in order to survive in their shared predicament. The Skipper and Gilligan, for example, represented average, working class guys; a small business owner and his employee, if you will.

The Professor was a school teacher; the pragmatic scientist focused on getting everyone safely off the island. He also found ways to help make them all more comfortable while maintaining a discrete distance from the obvious distractions – Mary Ann and Ginger.

Sweet, kind, Mary Ann was a wholesome farm girl fromMiddle America. Television psychologists (yes, there are such people) often refer to her as the ‘linchpin’ of the story. Noticeably absent for a good part of an episode, Mary Ann would walk in at just the right moment bringing with her at least part of the solution to an impending problem, though sometimes inadvertently.

Movie starlet, Ginger, was Mary Ann’s voluptuous, big city opposite. Her Marilyn Monroe-esque sensuality was continually implied but never fully executed. Even though she was a film star, on the island she was relegated to a traditional ‘female’ role of the 1960’s, cooking and doing laundry.

Lastly, the millionaire Thurston Howell III and his socialite wife, aptly named, Lovey are obvious stand-ins for the high-brow elite. Carrying enough cash to support a small nation, the lazy yet likable couple solved problems back home with money – something that has no value on the island. Still, Howell’s business savvy and ruthless determination to return to civilization offers both foil and ally to the others.

And there you have it, seven snapshots of modern society dropped into a difficult situation where they are forced to get along for the common good. Of course a sitcom isn’t real life, but it shows us that we all have the same basic needs no matter where we are in the pecking order of society. In the end, we all require food, clothing, shelter, some level of happiness and a margin of personal satisfaction.

No one ever really finds everything they’re looking for in life, but peel away our political, religious and social trappings and we’re all the same. Just people trying to get along, regardless of whether we live on the streets of anywhere U.S.A., or here on Gilligan’s Island.

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Greater Dayton Professionals BNI to Hold Visitors Day April 5

In Business, Economy, Local News, Media, Uncategorized on March 26, 2012 at 11:19 am

Greater Dayton Professionals Chapter of BNI welcomes visitors from the Miami Valley April 5.

BEAVERCREEK – The Greater Dayton Professionals Chapter of Business Network International (BNI) will hold a special Visitor’s Day beginning at 7:30 a.m., Thursday April 5, 2012 at the City Barbeque Restaurant, 2330 N. Fairfield Rd. in Beavercreek. There is no cost or obligation and the event is open to all local business professionals.

Founded in 1985 by professional networking guru Dr. Ivan Misner, BNI now has more than 6,000 chapters worldwide. The goal of organization is to help members network with one-another on a level that is not possible in chamber organizations or service clubs.

In the BNI strategy, each member tries to learn as much as possible about the others to the extent that they can give an informed recommendation to potential clients. Direct, qualified referrals like these generate a greater closed business rate and provide more success for each individual. Over the past 5 years, BNI members around the world have referred more than $11 billion in closed business to other members.

The Greater Dayton Professionals (GDP) Chapter is one of the longest running BNI groups in the Miami Valley area. In 2011, reported $1.3 million in closed business through referral marketing within the group.

Long time GDP chapter member, Gery L. Deer, of GLD Enterprises Commercial Writing, is part of the group’s membership committee. “The BNI process is well defined and we have a great leadership team,” Deer said. “I first started with BNI in 1998, in this same chapter. It’s great to be part of a group of professionals who not only promote but practice a mutually beneficial philosophy.”

The Dayton/Miami Valley Region of BNI (Business Network International) was recently rated #1 in the world according to Traffic Lights Report. According to Jim Weghorst, the Executive Director of BNI’s Dayton/Miami Valley Region, the ranking was achieved four consecutive months; July, August, September and October of 2011 among 440 BNI regions in 48 countries. In addition, the Dayton/Miami Valley Region was recognized for being a top ten region, worldwide, for the entire 2011 fiscal year.

Through the BNI structure, a network of professional connections can grow well beyond the core group and extend the reach of a small business to unrealized potential customers. The organization is intended for entrepreneurs and sales professionals in all types of businesses from plumbers and photographers to landscapers and attorneys.

During the event, Executive Director Jim Weghorst and Assistant Director Sheryl Wagner will provide a presentation introducing visitors to BNI’s word of mouth method of marketing. For more information or to make a reservation for Visitor’s Day, please call chapter president Don Sword at (937) 426-2886. Visitors are encouraged to bring plenty of business cards and be prepared to stay after the meeting for a short follow-up. To learn more about BNI, go online to http://www.bni-ohio.com.

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Future of Jamestown Depends on Creativity and Business Savvy

In Business, Economy, Local News, Opinion, Politics, Uncategorized on March 20, 2012 at 9:25 am

Is the sun setting on the historic past of Jamestown, Ohio? (Photo by Gery L. Deer)

By Gery L. Deer

Deer In Headlines

As the last shovel full of bricks was removed from the site of the old Powers Marine building after its demolition, residents have been staring at yet another vacant lot in the downtown and wondering about Jamestown’s future. Founded on the southeastern edge of Greene Countyin 1816, the tiny village has seen its share of catastrophe.

In the late 1890’s, a devastating tornado leveled the entire town while a century later a fire destroyed most of the southwest side of W. Washington Street. But today, Jamestown may face a greater challenge than natural disasters – short shortsightedness.

What would have happened at the turn of the 20th Century if no one had decided to rebuild after the tornado? Within a few moments, homes and businesses lay in splintered wreckage; a town once poised to compete with Xenia for the county seat lay in ruins. Imagine if it had been left that way. That’s essentially what has been happening in Jamestown for the last couple of decades, with a few exceptions, particularly one structure that was snatched from in front of the bulldozers nearly in the nick of time.

Once again alive with the sounds of ongoing renovation efforts and music and laughter filling its auditorium, in the mid 1990’s the Jamestown Opera House was considered an eyesore and there were those who believed it should be torn down. Fortunately, thanks to the determination of a small number of residents who formed the Jamestown Area Historical Society, the historic theatre is without question a shining gemstone in the village’s tarnished crown.

Then again, if things keep going like they are it might be the only downtown building still standing and occupied ten years from now. How’s that for irony? But it’s not just lost history that is costing Jamestown, but the perception that it’s decaying – rapidly.

An informal survey posted on Facebook revealed some opinions as to why Jamestown has declined. Some people suggested that the village and township officials make it too difficult to establish new business, often rejecting proposals for new business and creating so many roadblocks that there would be no reward for the effort.

One comment said that rents of office and store front space in Jamestown cost between $1,500 and $2,000 per month. If true, one of the problems is obvious. With such outrageous expense just to keep the space, limited street side parking, nothing to draw people to town and an ever expanding sprawl away from the downtown area, there is no practical reason to set up shop there.

Another line of discussion from the survey suggested that Shawnee Hills should be annexed for tax revenue because there are higher property values and income levels than those found in the village proper. The extra money could be used to provide incentives for businesses to settle in town, thus drawing more visitors. Needless to say that drew angry responses from lake dwellers, some of whom commented that they don’t consider themselves as Jamestown residents, but merely living within the same postal district.

Of Course, real estate and financial issues are only part of the problem. People still create the biggest roadblock to regenerating a town’s vitality, regardless of its size. Those who hold the power in small towns still seem to believe that they are all-important.

Good old boy politics thrives and for those who have never been exposed to any other way of doing things, their ability to make forward-thinking decisions may be sharply limited. In addition, pointless and continual bickering between township and village officials over petty control issues only serves to drive the coffin nails deeper.

Trying to return Jamestown to the way it was is hopeless. Those days are gone and though this opinion probably won’t sit well with the powers that be, a new era for Jamestown means more creative thinking, some genuine business savvy and a fresh start. Jamestown may not be able to compete with larger communities, but more open minds must soon prevail or it will just end up a dot on a map and a footnote in the history of Greene County.