If it’s not broke, don’t fix it

Dear Editor,

I have been following the DREAM program that the state of Missouri launched a few years ago.

My understanding of this is to revamp the downtown areas of some of the cities of Missouri.

Neosho was fortunate or had the misfortune of being selected, however one looks at the program.

Now thousands of dollars have been spent and I, for one, can’t find one building that even resembles the original buildings as I remember them. I am sure that money has been well spent as every building on the Square is old and in need of repair.

Now we get into the changing of the Square to attract more pedestrians and more businesses. I remember a time when it was the thing to do to go to the Square on Saturday to shop and visit with the neighbors.

In those days, you could buy your groceries, shop for dry goods, get a new pair of shoes and stop by the hardware store for whatever the needs were.

On the way, you could get a haircut and maybe have a nice evening meal.

If you needed new furniture, you could get that, too. If, for some reason, you needed to see the doctor or dentist, that could be done while you were there. If you had a quarter left, one might take in a movie. Now, if you needed new tires for the old tin lizzie, you could get that, also.

A block off the Square, one could get a new car of about any make or have the old one repaired.

There were three fine banks that just about knew everyone in the county. In the early days, you could tie your horse up to the chain that circled the courthouse Square or water them in the troughs that were on the northeast and southwest corner of the Square. Now, I don’t think we need to go back this far.

What I’m trying to say that until there is something to make an incentive for people to go to the Square, it won’t make any difference if you gold-plate the sidewalks or whatever, there will be no more there.

Banking can be done so much easier on the Boulevard, where there is always parking close by.

If you were barefooted and needed a coat, you would be out of luck on the Square nowadays.

Now God has blessed us that we don’t need an attorney and we have no interest in antiques.

Don’t need any office equipment or a portrait.

Have plenty of insurance. Can’t think of any reason to go to the Square, but maybe once a year to pay my taxes, but I suppose we could mail that in.

Now the only way I can think of attracting people to the Square is to have Wal-Mart move into the courthouse and maybe some of the businesses that are situated at their present space will follow.

With the present condition of the county, I would think there would be a greater need for $400,000 than to splurge it on something that we don’t need. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.

Sincerely,

Charles Herrin,

Neosho