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Typical results of Democrat spending of other people's money. That is to say, no results and a request for more money
Nice partisan comment, since virtually all of the waterfront development commenced under Republican leadership. Urban decay is caused neither by Democrats nor Republicans. There is the same economic dynamic that has led to dead zones in North Philadelphia, the River Wards, Camden, and large swaths of land in North Jersey as well (Patterson, Passaic, etc.). The old factory towns are dead, because manufacturing is dead. The only people to live in the old factory areas are those who could not get out, and not surprisingly, they are in the greatest need of social programs, education, jobs and housing. If your statement really is that we should abandon these people to their fate, you are a heartless SOB. The "free market" has not and cannot help them. That is the point of the article. But let's not throw out Limbaugh-like rhetoric...the Dems and the Republicans are equal in the "play to pay" department. I am with you that corruption should be weeded out, but doubtful that that will occur in our lifetimes.
how come Republicans haven't ran for mayor in either 1) Camden, or 2) Trenton?
how come Republicans haven't ran for mayor in either 1) Camden, or 2) Trenton?
Palestra...
Agreed. A bi-partisan effort has to decrease the viability of Camden. I still believe that the tearing down of the prison will help to stabilize North Camden, but its difficult to imagine just how the city will fix its problems. Frankly, given the dire situation of the city, $175M was and is kind of an insult. That said, you have to starty somewhere.
Money down a rathole...just like the trillion dollar stimulus.
hey xi...typical of people like you. Where are your ideas you punk? Your solution is to $h.it all over the ideas being enacted and offer none of your own. Please f.unk off.
Many have tried for decades to cure Camden. What has the gotten us all? Dems, Reps, black white...no plan has worked. So if each of these leading the charge has failed, then what is the constant? Remove the variable of WHO is trying to help Camden, and what constant are you left with? Residents. The residents have not changed. Success has still eluded them. So despite these decade long grandiose plans, poverty and crime prevail. Since you cannot change the residents, then change who the residents always vote for. Dems have held power for those decades, and please don't tell me that manufacturing has left. The US has transformed from agrarian, to industrial, to now high tech elsewhere. Camden fails due to its representatives. All of them; city, county, state. And it always will unless a wholesale change is made to those who represent Camden.
Gosh, I wonder if dredging the Delaware and increasing shipping to Camden would help create jobs?
Funny how this story completely ignores the big urban redevelopment idea of the republicans (and their Clinton era apologists) the enterprise-empowerment zone, which Camden shared with Philadelphia. A very simple (on paper at least) solution here is to invest in the city's basic infrastructure and make every effort to train city youth to participate in these projects (which seems to be the underlying theme of this series). The city had to reinvest in its growth industries, (EDs, Meds and tourism), but its tourism sector has virtually no real economic impact (especially compared to Philadelphia) due to the lack of conventions and overnight stays in the city. The city needs to be better linked to the economy of Philadelphia rather than its suburban New Jersey neighbors. They need to build a cost advantage for economic sectors that can actually engage their youth in formal employment. In other words, they need a targeted anti-poverty plan. (and I would do as NYC did, focus on the city's youth).
To create true stimulus funding by way of improved housing, there has to be a demand for housing from highly paid professional people. And there must be infrastructure improvements in water, sewer, electrical and cable for entertainment/internet. For those people to want to live in Camden's choicest waterfront district, there has to be a reduction in crime and improvement in the public schools. Conditions must be made ripe for private schools to invest in Camden to compete with public schools. And, finally, there must be a permanent silence on cries of gentrification from poorer residents who feel shoehorned out or their culture changed by the nouveau rich. That is what killed the Cherokee development that included a PGA Tour golf course. If Camden's poor feel contented with discriminating against professional people who bring an improving lifestyle to the community, then they will continue to live in such squalor.
Camden isn't safe because of the people that live there. Throwing money at destroyed city isn't the answer.
Honestly, I don't see too much of a problem in investing in the few redeeming qualities of that sad city. It produces income, which is taxable. Tourists are a good source of income. They buy stuff, have to pay for parking, get fined (occasionally), pay tolls, buy food, etc. I think it's good to focus on their strong points (they don't have much else to bank on) and allow opportunities for other people to try and get business from aquarium visitors. Of course, I've always liked zoos/aquariums/science centers. Besides, most of Camden's problems aren't fixable simply through throwing money at it. Try asking a sociologist rather than an economist.
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Yes, it is ironic that everyone gets blamed for Camden's probelems, except the people that are causing the problems - the crime, the grafitti, the murders, the blight, the trash and letter...its the RESIDENTS! Why do people such as myself, who are law-abiding, work hard, obtained an education, and maintain a respectable home supposed to continue to pay for the trash that inhabits Camden? I know this is harsh but I'm tired of the liberal notion that the plight of a community is always SOMEONE ELSE'S FAULT!
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