There is more than one reason why bringing jobs back to Ironton should be the city’s – and county’s – top priority as the second month of the new year winds down.

Thursday, February 10, 2000

There is more than one reason why bringing jobs back to Ironton should be the city’s – and county’s – top priority as the second month of the new year winds down.

The first is, of course, that there are many families in the area who are facing uncertain futures.

The second is that the city needs that tax revenue to keep city services at their current high level.

This week, the city lost five police officers, all because of projected budget losses.

There is no question that the city shouldn’t employ people it cannot afford to pay, but losing police officers is a situation that needs to be remedied as soon as possible.

Since the addition of the new officers, the department has been better able to serve the citizens. Not avalanched by calls anymore, the officers are now able to do some prevention work and to try to stop crimes before they happen.

The new officers helped make that possible. And these are good officers, too. The names on the list reflect men and a woman who have worked hard to do their jobs well.

Ironton is headed back on the right track toward economic development, but urgency is a quality that is a must. The city cannot afford to cut back on the people who keep its citizens safe.

Making this a short layoff should be everyone’s goal.