Bring back the Wauseon I once knew

After 35 years away from home we contemplated returning to Wauseon for retirement. I spent last summer there and found the people still among the friendliest in our travels. I was sad so many downtown buildings have burned, but some of the character is still there. The super cruises are awesome.

However, I was stunned at the careless development on Shoop Avenue; traffic is awful and a bit dangerous due to over-development. Empty downtown and Shoop Avenue store fronts are not necessarily a sign of the times, but an affront on community businesses by Wal-Mart. We've seen it over and over in small towns.

The litter stretching across the farmer's field next to Wal-Mart is so shameful. But trash starts on Shoop Avenue with all the fast-food restaurants and runs a path right out to the mills on CR 10. Before farmers plant and plow they must first pick up the trash. It was never like that before.

One thing that Wauseon did have was its historical and very pleasant swimming pool and park. The park is still there, the pool is now closed for lack of funds to rebuild it. What a shame. Where are the generations of businesses that would have quickly come to the aid? Gone and Wal-Mart has taken their place.

Wauseon needs to take a look back and reevaluate where it is heading... (will it become) just another dumpy town of rude drivers and over development or retail its unique character? Bring back the Wauseon I once knew.

Michael Stevenson

Bristol, R.I.