The preservation duo pulled together a group of volunteers to help.  They thought of everything, Mr. Glass’ favorite movie, plenty of popcorn, live music to accompany the show, and super clean, sparkling theater.  They really rolled out the red carpet and seated Mr. Glass in a truly VIP seat.  The whole event was not without its hiccups.  The band started playing the wrong music, the projector went to fast, and of course George put way too much popcorn in the machine. 

At the end of the day everyone enjoyed the event and the new life that was breathed into this old building, even Mr. Glass.  He graciously agreed to not tear down the building.  Apparently, his view of progress changed a little during the show.  We often forget what can be accomplished when a few volunteers work hard to execute a plan with the a single goal in mind.

You can read the transcript here.

What excites me most is the focus on the core cities and high potential for redevelopment in these areas that create great places for people to live. 

I WANT PORTSMOUTH TO BE A GREAT PLACE THAT WE CAN BE PROUD OF…

Whats it going to take to get people to pay attention?

In my opinion, the most important item of communication that needs to be spread is that our future requires us to operate in ways completely different than we have in the past.  Some established systems that we rely on and assume will go unchanged forever could completely disappear.

So, leadership in Portsmouth does not need to center around a goal to achieve in an effort to please some.  Leadership needs to center around this new way of thinking about our future, and prepare all for the change.

I will try to post regularly.

2. Check out the photos. 

3. Move your mouse a time or two, and voila!

I would love a job in business development, sales, or marketing.  This would increase my experience and exposure to business operation and growth.  I am extremely flexible and would consider contract or termed employent.  Peformance based compensation would be a big plus especially for a company who really cares about results.

Does this region need a marketing company that can assist companies with the 21st century growth they need to stay competitive in the coming decades?  There is so much new thought about business and marketing that needs implemented.  What was the last ad you responded to in the newspaper?  on TV?  one that inspired you to take action.  Probably hard to remember.  Not to say they do not work at all, but it is easier to spend money doing the same old thing, and it takes alot of work to implement new ideas and strategies.  I guess the demand for a new marketing company lies in the number of firms who are ready to embrace new things.

• County Commisioners
• Township Trustees
• School Administrators
• Non-Profit Chairs
• Higher Education administrators
• Local Business Presidents
• City Councils
• City Mayors
• Etc.

Some Keys to success

1. A simple agenda sent ahead for preparing answers
2. A strong moderator ensures fairness
3. Good record keeping, A/V recording if possible
4. Agreement to meet regularly with whomever is willing
5. Open minds

The first meeting agenda should be centered around “what one change, if you could snap your fingers and make happen, would allow you at least a short sigh of relief in your organization?”  This should allow us all to get an idea where we need to be.

Another meeting topic could be “if you could put yourself in a bubble, make the changes necessary, and not get any complaints when you emerge, what would you do?”  This is touchier, and may best be handled internally as a clarification exercise.

What services could be shared in the community that would free up funds for growing our communities?

Just some thoughts, I am up for suggestions.

The subject that we need to explore regionally is the connection between communities and how they really add value to each other.  For Scioto county we look at the connection between outlying communities and the city.

So, with 80,000 people in the county, and more when we expand the region, what would happen if Portsmouth died?

Would you agree that a large portion of people who live in the county enjoy the way of life that is afforded in these areas?  How many of these people actually work in the city, at some of our larger employers?  So it seems that the value of a healthy city is the ability to maintain a good job and hold on to your choice place of residence in more rural areas, which seems to go a long way for some people.  By exploring this connection deeper, we add value to the Restoring our Prosperity in Ohio conversation about regional planning.  By understanding the connections between our communities and the city in terms of value added relationships, rather than competition for resources, we build a platform in which the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

I guess we need to start talking.

If you really think that downtown Portsmouth cannot become a hub of activity that we can be proud of, and fuel the memories of our youth, please educate yourself. 

If you really are convinced that downtown Portsmouth offers no promise of a vibrant future full of promise and opportunity, please educate yourself.

• Take the time to read the Preliminary Report that is midway down this page. 
• Listen to what Ohio’s leaders have to say about our state
• Picture how Portsmouth fits into the picture, because it does.

The trends are changing, and the first change for Portsmouth costs nothing…a positive attitude.