After reading Brian Golden’s well-written and insightful column yesterday, I had the inspiration to create something of a response.

I wish I could completely disagree with my spirited co-worker and friend. I wish I could state with all confidence that Chenango County is as safe as ever and the drugs and crime of which he speaks are no more prevalent than at any other time.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the case and we all know it.

However, what Brian doesn’t mention is how we can begin to fix said problems.

I remember growing up how many people complained about the number of graduating students in the county who grabbed their diploma, high-tailed it out of the area and aside from class reunions, were ne’er seen again.

That may have been true just a few years ago, but I’ve noticed there has been an increasing number of recent college graduates returning to the area. Hardly a day goes by that I don’t see someone from the classes of ‘05, ‘06, and ‘07 where the conversation goes something like this:

“Hey, [insert random classmate] long time, no see? What are you up to?”