Venango County Blog July Archive

The Problem and Solution for the Plan for Economic Development with Artists

By Wilbur Corncob at 07/26/07 09:22

The first problem with the economic development plan for making Oil City into some kind of artists heaven is simple the first though many people will have is "starving artists". True or not it has a very negative connotation.

The second problem is actually the real problem and that is the plan is too limited. An economic development plan should be broad rather than a narrow beam.

Why limit ourselves to "starving" artists when there are many independent business people that could flourish in the evironment of Oil City.

Especially those in technologically related fields. Anything internet or software development related would be perfect in Oil City. Not to dimish artists in anyway, but these fields have the potentional to conduct business around the world from Oil City and possibly develop singificantly beyond a one or two "man" operation.

Let's take the artists plan and expand it to include all micro businesses that people might operate out of their houses; especially those that sell their services to people in other areas.

Tags: economic development • oil city • artists •
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The Dangers of Two Mile Run County Park; A Busted Spleen

I think it is a downright shame that there is such a mess involving Two Mile Run Park. I am just a simple person, but it seems to me that this whole mess just keeps being needlessly made worse.

Several things come to mind all at once when I think of Two Mile Run and the recent articles I have read about it.

• Why in the world would they advertise FOR SALE the treehouse they built in the park for rentals? It is going to be sold by sealed bid and then the lucky new owner will have to dismantle the thing and take it home with them. Who in the heck would do that? Why don't they just leave it there? In understand that lawsuits are inhibiting the desire to have cabin rentals, but why can't the individuals causing all the mess think of someone besides themselves? (and I'm sorry but I think it is an absolutely frivolous venture taken on by the Beichners to sue because it would complete with their cabin rentals, and I myself believe they did it just to spite the Park Authority and didn't really think of the people in Venango County that actually may WANT to rent a treehouse or a cabin in the park.) Many people in the county LIKE to go to the park because they can do several things there with their families. Why not just prohibit people from walking in the park because it competes with the money people pay for gym or health club memberships? The government can take private property by power of eminent domain to give to a different private party for a "better" economic purpose... why can't they rent some tree houses?

• i Believe the people managing the park were either crooks or just plain stupid. I do not limit this opinion to the park authority who was just recently managing the park but the previous county commissioners (who in my humble opinion were only out to make sure they would profit from what happened to the park). How difficult can it be to get this concept: Make a nice place with varied activities that don't cost an arm and a leg to enjoy and people will COME. Families would come to the park to enjoy swimming, camping, cabin rentals, fishing, boating, and so many activities that could be happening with a little common sense. Instead, let's just all fight over it so nobody can enjoy it! Charging fees for activities are public parks is usual and having cabins for rent would no more compete with private enterprise than charging to camping spaces.

• If you took a vote from the people who actually live and pay taxes in Venango County, I would make a good bet that most of them would take an interest in making the park survive if any of us felt as though we had a say, vote, or the ability to help. It has been taken so far out of our hands we just sit back and shake our heads in wonder at the antics of these grown adults acting like spoiled little brats. Nobody has ever asked for the help or support of the community or given us a say in anything. They just continue to make decisions (all bad ones if you ask me). Did they ever ask for support from the community when the park was county owned? Didn't we step up to the plate when they asked for funding for the new swimming pool?

• Another frivolous idiot lawsuit: The issue with the observatory. Does ANYONE in Venango County actually care whose responsibility it is to clean up the area around the obervatory, or whether people should be allowed to park there? I will admit I don't know all of the details surrounding this lawsuit, but here is what I DO KNOW. Mr. Spuck spends hours and hours of his valuable time with students in Venango County and tries to get and keep them interested in science. Lord knows our kids have all kinds of BAD opportunities just in Oil City alone. I am not saying nobody has worthwhile programs out there. BUT, why in the heck should it be a fight for the observatory. Ask the PEOPLE what they want!

I am tired of never having a say for anything. You can say that voting gives you a voice over such matters, get involved! HA! I say voting for someone in a political office gives you SQUAT! They will do WHAT they want, HOW they want, and I have never heard of ONE SINGLE opportunity for the people of Venango County to step up, get involved in the park, volunteer, have a say. What do YOU say?

Tough Summer in Oil City for Recreation

After ponding the Two Mile Run County Park yesterday and the problems created for those wanting to take part in some usual summer recreation, I realize that wasn't the only problem.

The Oil City swimming pool is also closed. The reasons for closing the pool may be better since next year there should be a brand new pool it is a double whammy for recreation in the area.

It's unfortunately that the pool and park situations both happened during the same year.

Maybe you can help list some activities for the summer in Venango County.

New Plan for Two Mile Run County Park

It is my opinion from reading the news reports about Two Mile Run County Park that everyone involved has created a completely convoluted situation. I believe at this point the park needs a new identity and complete facelift.

My recommendation is that a new law be passed at the Federal, State and Local levels to require the park be turned into a huge marijuana farm. The marijuana grown on the park property will be given to everyone that has been or will be involved in the park management. That is, all those people will be compelled to smoke all of the marijuana grown at Two Mile Run County Park.

After my plan is in full force, the strange news reports will suddenly make sense!

Maybe I am the stupid one, but I would think that the park is one of the best natural (and tourist) resources for the community. All of its activities (paid or free) should be 100% available to everyone for the season. Especially for those from out of the area that want to visit Venango County and camp for a little while.

Should we have a sign on the I-80 exit for Venango County, declaring "Sorry, Venango County Closed for the Season"?

You might ask what I've been smoking to suggest such a thing? Yet closing any portion of Two Mile Run County Park is exactly such an exclamation!

If your opinion differs from mine, I welcome your response.