Comments on: Vandalism, loitering problems downtown

By: miriam st. jean

miriam st. jean — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 21:13:05 +0000

Am amused by those who suggested that teens “do homework” or “hang out with parents” or whatever on a weekend – don’t you people remember what it was like to be a teenager? good gawd

I do agree that the picture painted by the news article hinted that all teens “hanging” were all troublemakers and that the article was biased – or written perhaps by someone living on retirement funds with no sense of humor.

If the city is that concerned, they should fund a rec facility where teens can feel comfortable (after all, hasn’t Mayor Mavis stated over and over that the city is financially sound?) – City Council should consider pursuing an avenue wherein the city could help fund avenues of entertainment for teens – geez – maybe someone in the Mayor’s office could apply for grants to support such a venture – after all, if the Mayor can aid the Woodward in obtaining grants, why on earth can’t his office aid in obtaining a grant for facilities where our community youth can feel comfortable?

Mr. Mayor………what say you? City Council…….what say YOU?

These youth represent our future – be proactive enough to help them out, rather than listening to a bunch of whiners who have forgotten what it’s like to be young.

By: Jwowza Doedee

Jwowza Doedee — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:23:48 +0000

I get what you’re trying to say, but I have one concern: teens often feel like they want to get away from their parents and that’s exactly what they should do with the empty half of the old Big Bear.

By: Jwowza Doedee

Jwowza Doedee — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:58:49 +0000

@ mom: maybe some kids have parents who don’t want them home, or are sick of being stuck at home all the time. Also, did you ever consider that not everyone has the money for fancy tvs and video game systems. You shouldn’t punish everyone because some parents don’t care. And another thing: NOBODY watches “video tapes” anymore!!!

By: J Doe

J Doe — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:54:08 +0000

Yea, I can agree that there have been some problems at The Escape Zone and the “hillbilly parking lot”. But you still need to consider that teens need something to do. And those of you say they could work, do homework, and hang out with parents: I have friends who either can’t work/already work and have parents that want nothing to do with them. On the other hand: who wants to stay at home with their parents and do homework??? If you aren’t into sports, there isn’t much do do on the weekends. Teens need a place where they can hang out for free/low price with their friends and not have to worry about overbearing parents and bratty little kids bothering them. As long as that happens, there should be little to no problems in the future.

By: Al Case

Al Case — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:23:49 +0000

Lets make sure all the kids grow up with memories of what a bad place to live this is by needlessly hassling them so that they will move away as soon as they’re old enough and never come back….that way all the local business can fail and downtown can turn into antique markets. Oh wait, that already happened didn’t it ?

By: Old Timer

Old Timer — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:48:17 +0000

Dear Mom. I remember in the early 60′s the teenagers from all over would come to Mt. Vernon and cruise from Beck’s Drive-In (where the Burger King now is, or close enough) to Clippy’s Drive-In via going up South Main and out West High St. The average speed was about 5 mph. And the kids without cars would walk South Main Street. Talk about loitering. And besides, what Teenager wants to hang out with their parents? Even if the parents make plans to do something fun. We couldn’t get our 16 year old son to go to King’s Island with the rest of the family. He turned out OK. And so did I.

By: red dragon hawk

red dragon hawk — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:23:04 +0000

let them be back on the square….at least they are visible from the police parking garage

By: Mom

Mom — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 01:27:52 +0000

I wonder why the parents, guardians, whoever aren’t watching out for their kids. Why don’t the teens hang out at their homes with their friends? They can play games, watch movies, play videos, eat and all that. Probably for free too. Or do the caregivers just don’t care anymore? It doesn’t take a village, it takes a parent or caregiver.

By: ghostrider

ghostrider — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 01:02:59 +0000

Look at them I bet there parents are prod of them..

By: MVParent

MVParent — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:05:00 +0000

A small percentage of the teens are trouble-makers… you’ll have that in any environment (school, WalMart, Escape Zone, etc) where kids are bored. This article has made it appear that ALL the kids hanging out downtown are fighting, being destructive, and just generally being a nuisance. That is NOT the case at all. As usual, the trouble-makers are ruining it for everyone else. Remember cruising downtown on the weekends? A few idiots ruined that. Where else are our teens supposed to socialize?