Driving through downtown Dayton, it's hard to miss the number of businesses that have either closed their doors or have combined office space in an effort to ride out the economic storm.
With the fall in the housing market, the decline of our economy (I guess since the president finally acknowledged it three weeks ago, we can state the obvious), rising fuel and living costs combined with unemployment has been a recipe for a lot of concern.
Many people are feeling the squeeze and have been for a long time. To the gentleman who felt that I was making it up when I first brought up the issue this summer, might I suggest refraining from comment this time, step out of your bubble and look around.
Folks who have an educated opinion (i.e. financial and business experts) I've spoken with seem to think the election cycle is also playing a role in people's anxiety and for the most part say - with the caveat that we should wait and see what the markets do - that once we've elected a president, things may smooth out.
We can hope, I guess, but what does that do for the small business owners and their employees? What does that do for the average family trying to cover the basics?
For many, there is no discretionary income left to support anything "extra."
That is the reality.
If you need to shop, try to find what you need here before going elsewhere. Otherwise, the businesses stand very little chance of surviving, and once we have an upturn (let us pray) there'll be no place left locally to shop.
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About that election: If you are a delegate, or if you simply want to watch the process, you are encouraged to attend the delegate count Saturday at Silver Springs High School. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the count beginning at 10 a.m.
For those who think change begins at home, Dayton Community Task Force has changed its meeting location. They now meet at 6 p.m. at Makin' Coffee, 655 Highway 50 East on the first Thursday of each month. The Task Force is committed to providing for the needs of Dayton's youth in an array of creative activities and programs. If you want to make a difference in the lives of our young people and have some time and energy to give, this is an awesome organization to support and participate in.
Before children, I was far more politically motivated than I am now. Today, I think if I can raise the girls to grow up to have a complete thought process, to teach them "to be the change they want to see," I might have actually accomplished something worthwhile.
Because these are two little people in which I can put my faith and trust. Maybe by the time it's their turn at running the country, they'll actually have something to work with.
• Karel C. Ancona-Henry can be reached at 246-4000.