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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2008 > November > 20 > Entry
NPR comes to Dayton
On Tuesday, Nov. 18, Montgomery County’s Job Center made NPR’s “All Things Considered” program.
In his 7-minute segment, Noah Adams talks to several people who’ve turned to the Job Center for training, GED classes or help searching for a new job after being laid off.
The piece (which made NPR’s most e-mailed list for that day) is a reminder that Montgomery County has an impressive — and widely recognized — organization that is designed to meet people where they are educationally and emotionally and help them better themselves.
A job counselor who’s retired from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base briefly speaks in a way that’s both sensitive, but firm. You can imagine him having a way with despondent people — not letting them feel so sorry for themselves that they’re paralyzed, but insisting that they can’t just bemoan their situation.
Adams didn’t just do the Dayton-is-dying song and dance. He also interviewed the Job Center’s Lucius Plant, who talked about Wright-Patterson’s National Air and Space Intelligence Center, assuring listeners that, yes, there still are some people working in Dayton and that the community has a future.
Something tells me that Adams didn’t just happen on the Job Center. Somebody had to tell him that, while General Motors is quitting Dayton and the town is reeling economically, there are some special efforts going on here to help people get back on their feet.
It’s nice to be noticed for something other than job losses.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Economy
Comments
By GQ
November 24, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
A list of quick questions: Were those hard working Montgomery County workers being interviewed ‘on the clock’? How much does the Job center cost the taxpayers?By Mike
November 25, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
The Montgomery County Job Services is a public/private partnership between federal and state government, Montgomery County and 47 private organizations. They contribute training, services and assistance to job seekers in an effort to move people from the ranks of the unemployed to working, taxpaying citizens. They also can assist with medical and financial issues which can arise due to loss of employment. GQ, I take it from the tone of your comment that you feel this might be a waste of money to try and help people find work. Am I reading it right?By Joaniesgarden
December 24, 2008 6:17 AM | Link to this
There will always be people who feel the downtrodden should pull themselves up by their bootstraps which seems an impossible feat when they have no shoes. In this season of giving, helping people should be a number one priority. There is such a thing as being ‘too proud’ I once seen a family of four die while living in their car of carbon monoxide poisoning.By David Esrati
December 28, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
“Adams didn�t just do the Dayton-is-dying song and dance.” Why would he Ellen? You’ve had that routine down to a science for as long as I’ve known you. Maybe you could learn something from a pro like Adams? Then again- I just read that you just discovered podcasts. It’s time to catch up with the times. Negativity is out- “Change we can believe in” is in- time for you to change your tune.