If a newcomer were to move to Northern Colorado, why would he or she choose the Greeley area? What would be the drawing card? Where would he/she work? What would attract the children (and parents) to the schools?
Greeley was once known for several things. Morality. Integrity. Innovation. Education. A high standard of middle-class living. An excellent sense of community. Water. What is Greeley known for now? District 6. Gangs. Lack of good-paying jobs. Housing. The Stampede. Lots of government regulation and control.
What spun Greeley into decline? What will turn Greeley around?
Truly I have given up on Greeley. Just waiting for the prices in my neighborhood to increase a little more. Then ADIOS, you can have it. So sad, loved it when I came here just eight years ago. There were 60,000 people here. Just the right size. Now busting with over one hundred thousand and most illegal or from other Countries that do not want to be absorbed into our society. Soon it will be just like L.A. and have small Communities with Somalis, Burmese, Chinese, and Mexican all doing their own thing. Like I said, so sad........
Posted by: greeleygirl | December 14, 2011 at 01:52 PM
It does seem more than human powers can correct.
Posted by: Rick Jones | December 08, 2011 at 05:06 PM
Hi Rick,
100 years of socialism is taking its toll. Only Christ can save us now.
Posted by: Bobby J. | December 08, 2011 at 10:23 AM
I am more interested in answers to your second question, ("What will turn Greeley around?"), right now than in answering the first one; leave the first question for historians.
I will it my theory of imperative prioritization; more will be accomplished when effort is directed at resolving a given problem rather than in rehashing the circumstances which caused the current crisis.
That said, I doubt there is a single answer to solve the problem. The range of issues is too great, (already I've seen mentioned gangs/crime, roads/infrastructure, government corruption, illegal immigration, entitlements/budget, schools, and drugs/self medicating as examples). It is also true that none are Greeley's troubles are specific to Greeley. The problems are common, though intensity varies, and that is the scary part. For, solutions are non-existent.
It is almost as if we, society, have a wound which will not heal. And, every time we allow somebody to poke it, prod it, patch it, dress it, or otherwise cure it is only more inflamed. We know we can not do nothing, but everything we try fails, at best, and makes it worse at times.
I haven't lived in Greeley since the mid-seventies but have such great affection for it that I found this site to keep track of it. I now live in Naples, Florida and we have the same problems here, (intensity, remember), trust me the infection is everywhere. Money is the only thing keeping this town from falling into complete decay. That bandage isn't available to everyone, and its effect is very temporary and requires continued application. So, it is not a panacea.
I wish I had the answer to that second question, I will listen if someone else offers it.
Posted by: Rick Jones | December 06, 2011 at 08:30 AM
Well at least we know that the Trib hasn't stooped to Photoshopping the truth out of their articles....yet...
Posted by: Say What? | December 02, 2011 at 08:16 AM
The other day in the online Trib, they had a free article. It was about the Thanksgiving day 5k, aka Turkey Trot.
Just look at the picture that shows the starting line from above. The road is so full of cracks there is hardly any road. It is more cracks than pavement,lol. Go Davis-Bacon! Go expensive engineers. Go acadmeia!
Posted by: Bobby J. | December 01, 2011 at 01:03 PM
The citizens of Greeley, years ago, should have demanded legislation banning local profiteering in public office punishable by fines and imprisonment. But the local folks were amorous just rubbing shoulders with the elite at the rodeo and in politics. Neither faction has served us well.
Today we are flooded with illegals working for agriculture all around us and we have flooded government with liberals who benefit from liberal agenda.
Now everyone wakes-up to the fact that we have huge obligations paying for the entitlement pensions of all these public workers, a school system that's pooping out idiots who won't be able to fund those entitlement retires, business that have left our "little Mexico", and armed gangs run wild with pockets full of drugs.
You ask what will turn Greeley around.
Without new leadership the answer. . . Complete and utter decay.
Take it from there.
Posted by: Powerball | December 01, 2011 at 11:51 AM