Today's Letter from the Editor closes with this scenario:
The plant I worked at for the last 10 plus years suddenly closed down last November. Since I am over 50, no prospective employers will even grant an interview much less hire me . . . we may be homeless in a few months' time . . .
This came from a Manatee resident in response to the Bradenton Herald's series exploring the foreclosure crisis gripping our community and many others across the nation. He has depleted everything and missed a mortgage payment. Will the lender work with him and his wife to try and prevent another foreclosure? How about all the others? Can our legislators at the state and federal levels help stem the bleeding? What else can be done?
These are questions we'll be addressing in the weeks ahead as we further explore the devastating toll of foreclosures in our community.
As I recapped in the column, our reporters found the final tally for 2007 came to 2,528 foreclosures in Manatee County. In the first quarter this year, that number was already approaching 1,200. In this online foreclosure package, we have built an interactive database with these numbers, and tracked where they have hit hardest in Manatee neighborhoods. But the real stories are told in the videos and words of those trapped in this nightmare. We'll continue to add to this package as you help us find solutions.
Joan
Sunday, May 18, 2008
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2 comments:
Hmm. There are literally thousands of jobs listed in the Bradenton Herald classifieds. Are you telling me there is not ONE that would serve as at least a temporary employment opportunity?
I'm just sayin' ....
My 26-year-old stepson is looking for a job; experienced cook and has worked in a couple of factories. So far, no takers, and he's scoured the Herald classifieds every day, where there are dozens (not thousands) of job ads from companies who are "taking applications" instead of actually hiring.
Dominique isn't picky. He'll take darn near anything he can get, even one of the little $7/hour or $8/hour nothings that will barely cover rent on a tiny apartment, let alone pay a mortgage. And everywhere he goes, he sees lots and lots of applicants willing to work for minimum wage.
It's a lot rougher out there than you seem to think it is.
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