Jarred Simmons: Will Merced grow, or will wallow in nostalgia?

It’s obvious the economic and social polices enacted over the last 10 years by eastern Merced County leaders, including the cities of Atwater and Merced, are not working. Some describe the leadership as a bunch of grumpy old men without clear vision of the area’s future. After 11 years with UC, one would have to ask, do the elected leaders really want the growth the UC brings? Or, is it their hope to keep the nostalgic 1950s small-town feel of Merced? If so, in exchange the area has become home to more gangs, marijuana cultivation, stagnate job growth and a homeless problem. I find interesting that there are no females on either city council and the sole female (and only member with common sense) on the County Board of Supervisors is leaving.

With election time nearing, one would hope voters will look beyond the current elected official’s simple rhetoric, lack of vision and gender and look at candidates who have specific plans for economic development, rather than leaving it to development staff members who are left to defend their policies (that aren’t working) on social media. Ask each candidate, what’s your written economic plan and your timeline to implement it.

This story was originally published March 10, 2016 at 8:12 AM with the headline "Jarred Simmons: Will Merced grow, or will wallow in nostalgia?."