To the editor:

Lot of talk about the progress of Vicksburg in forums but nobody has a solution. We are appointing companies to do studies but the locals and people who exploit Vicksburg are not effectively involved. Vicksburg is seemingly becoming a Necropolis (a city in decline in Urban Design terms). Factories/businesses closed down or sold; No major renovation of old relics; the malls breathing its last- all signs of ultimate demise of a city which was an important center couple of centuries ago.

What has caused the downfall of a thriving urban center? Sitting on the junction of two national corridors of people and goods transport there is no dearth of accessibility, we have excellent tourist landmark in town but why are we not able to exploit these features? Is the governance failing in its duty to attract investment in the town? Have we heard any new tenants in CERES? Is the system not able to provide a social platform for the residents to prosper? Time and again it has been noticed that there is an acute shortage of skilled/unskilled labor in the county probably due to a limping education system. But in spite of teachers being awarded, we still sustain a lower grade. What needs to be done to attend this problem at grass root level?

Different communities hardly share and social skills outside of schools. I have not heard of various churches getting together and address this issue.There is a definite divide amongst the population, reminiscences of the last century.

Why don’t the population sit and decide how to learn from each other and explore ways to find and develop a better work force- Evening meeting to discuss trade options, getting ERDC to extend their input would be a welcome sign. Inviting tech companies to see if we can provide them with an investment and growth incentive.

The answer lies within us, and we cannot expect any outsider to solve it for us. We the people need to wake up and do something.

Michael Thakur

Vicksburg