In response to Mayor Berger and Mr. Haver’s concern about our youth leaving after college and not returning. I have a useful suggestion. Take a survey of the youth and find out just why they aren’t returning. Our youth don’t find Lima to be such a great place; they are finding greener pastures elsewhere.
I cannot speak for all of those leaving and not returning, but I can speak for my millenial daughter who chose to leave and will never return. And I can say with all assuredness, that the top two reasons on her list are:
• A mayor who Lima can’t vote out of office no matter how hard we try.
•No jobs that pay living wages.
She also said the Lima she watched while growing up is a dying town with no direction. She feels like many of us: It’s time to get rid of the lifetime mayor and put a fresh face into the mayor’s office. However, and this is a direct quote from her, “Lima doesn’t have the guts to replace Mayor Berger”.
I can’t help but wonder how many of our other youth feel this way.
Sheila Freund, Lima
