2020 is not starting off well for the city of Newton.
Not even a week after TPI Composites, one of Newton’s largest employers, announces it is closing and eliminating 150 much-needed jobs, we learn that Jimmy John’s on the square has closed shop. A much smaller employer for sure, but still a blow to a community that the mayor and city council are trying to convince is making great progress.
What is the mayor doing to bring in businesses, talent and well-paying jobs to this town? He and the city council have been in their positions for a while now and I’m no longer confident in their abilities to create excitement and growth in Newton. I will give an exemption to Randy Ervin on this, as he has just assumed his position on the council and I’m hoping he will bring some new fresh ideas to tired, ineffective city leadership.
While there have been some small steps made towards progress, it’s been a dozen years since Maytag/Whirlpool vacated Newton for good and there have been no big bold ideas or projects undertaken to revitalize our city.
And what about the crime/drug problem we have? Didn’t the mayor tell us he had a plan to implement a security camera system in troubled neighborhoods to help curb crime in those areas? Maybe I missed it, but I’ve heard nothing about this plan since the election. Or was that just campaign talk?
Please everyone, write the mayor and city council members if you, like me, are becoming impatient with the lack of action from this government. We aren’t willing to wait any longer.
John Moore
Newton