Catawba County Unemployment Rate hits 15.6% - HDR misreports another story

It sure seems to be a coincidence that this story is misreported on a day when fewer people read the newspaper. The Region's Jobless Rate Drops Why does it always seem that the Hickory Daily Record is always trying to float these unemployment numbers under the radar? Are you trying to carry the water for those who might suffer some consequences from our economic malaise?

At what point Hickory Daily Record does this become THE STORY, because this truly is THE STORY to all of the people in this area that are unemployed, underemployed, or worried about job security. That accounts for nearly half of the people living in this area. Let's hear about what is being done by local leaders to lay a foundation for recovery. Is the strategy to sit around and hope that something will fall into our laps?

If our leaders' strategy is to stand around and say, "Well there's nothing we can do about it," then frankly it is time for new leadership. The HDR has access to these people, but instead of asking pertinent questions, they allow the paper to be manipulated by the very people that they should be questioning. It is more than obvious that city staff basically write the articles for the Hickory Daily Record that pertain to the city. That is just sheer laziness.

What do the reporters for the HDR do with their time? They definitely don't spend it writing stories. Look at the stories that I write in my spare time. I do this while maintaining a job, running errands, doing tasks for two grandmothers, attending city council meetings, planning and building a garden, doing household chores, working on a few hobbies, attending city meetings for this blog, having meetings with city leaders for this blog, attending church, and other things.

This is their fulltime job! They are earning a salary to do it. Where is the accountability in reporting the news and important events taking place in this area? Why even purchase this paper if they aren't going to do any true in-depth reporting. Our local paper has become truly irrelevant. HDR, you can either dig into some stories or dig your grave. It is your choice.

This Charlotte Observer story does the same thing: Region's jobless rate falls to 11.4% - (In small print) March drop typical for this time of year; economists say it could fall again this month and is likely to climb again. But, the Charlotte Observer article gets more into the nuts and bolts of the situation.

I truly believe that it will take people with a positive, can-do vision to get us turned back in a positive direction. Some people that do not consider themselves leaders or visionaries need to step forward and speak up. The value of your life should not be centered on treasure. It should be centered on the Legacy you leave behind.