When one stubs a toe painfully hard, falling to the ground writhing in agony, chances are they don’t remain there unless the extent of injuries necessitates awaiting an ambulance for a visit to the hospital emergency room.
They pick themselves up and they keep moving on, much as the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County is commendably doing after its own repeated, and repeatedly painful, toe-stubbing incidents.
The EDC is in current negotiations involving the former Dana Corp. headquarters here which could bring about a buyer for the site and jobs for the area.
That’s something to be commended and encouraged. Paralysis is no more an option than is repeating the kinds of costly missteps that have taken place in the past.
Yes, some of those past missteps have been legion, and it may be less than clear that some of those who should have known better then have gained the benefit of experience and knowledge even now.
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Officials should not be surprised that critics have long memories and a legitimate, shared distaste for economic development cheerleaders who place giddiness above thoughtfulness, thus facilitating this comedy of errors.
Fortunately, most if not all of those past problems are being righted.
The same Wayne County Commissioners who oddly struggle with drawing up policies to assure full and enthusiastic compliance with state laws governing open meetings and records, demonstrated they were capable of performing more admirably when called upon a few years back to lead efforts at reforming how local economic development efforts proceed.
That reform has meant a new and more responsive EDC administration and a heightened level of board and community oversight over its actions.
We applaud those actions, in the quest to land a new employer for the old Dana plant.
True, the efforts might not prove successful.
But if we are not working and negotiating to get those jobs, it is pretty much pre-ordained that we cannot get them.
Fortunately, most if not all of those past problems are being righted.
The same Wayne County Commissioners who oddly struggle with drawing up policies to assure full and enthusiastic compliance with state laws governing open meetings and records, demonstrated they were capable of performing more admirably when called upon a few years back to lead efforts at reforming how local economic development efforts proceed.
That reform has meant a new and more responsive EDC administration and a heightened level of board and community oversight over its actions.
We applaud those actions, in the quest to land a new employer for the old Dana plant.
True, the efforts might not prove successful.
But if we are not working and negotiating to get those jobs, it is pretty much pre-ordained that we cannot get them.
