New Bedford; A city within reach of greatness

For the Whaling City’s downtown, I'd have to say that the Summer of 2007 was a great one. The streets were statistically safer, downtown was bustling compared to other recent summers and private enterprises along the most important artery for tourism, Union Street, have opened. Taverns, clothiers and eateries are important components of any city setting and without a tangible lowering of crime, New Bedford struggled to turn the corner and make downtown truly inviting.

I don't believe we are completely where we need to be but the foundation, thanks to dozens of investing people who believe in New Bedford’s direction, is there.  An area of concern for me (and everyone who I speak with on this) is the "Gateway" to downtown. The intersection of Union & Front Streets is the first impression for most downtown adventurers and it begins with an auspicious start. The National Club, a long established drinking hole for fishermen, has not kept up with its neighbors who are throwing large sums of money to the appearance of New Bedford's 'front page'.

It is common knowledge that anyone can find drugs, prostitutes and other undesirable elements  among the otherwise honorable fishermen and other locals who seem to tolerate the seedy atmosphere of the club. There will always be a need for a place like this in an urban setting (I'm not condoning this; I'm acknowledging it as a truth). I would love to see investors come in and give the bar a face-lift, both physically and socially.

Can't we encourage a relocation of the National if it insists on disabling the comeback we all hope for? A sports bar/steakhouse with a sidewalk cafe to accompany the inside would be just what this doctor orders.

The problem is that local investors like Lanagan or Keohane have seen firsthand the meddling of people who warn any would be investors that "ya gotta go through me foist in New Bedford". What is not needed is the status quo bullying by the usual suspects who are effectively providing a malignant environment in the growth of the downtown area which is ready to break out. Let's put a light on this and let the free market actually exist in New Bedford. There are some real encouraging prospects for the future here. Education, marine science and a reputation for top notch cuisine are more than enough components to cause the turn and make this into one of the best places to live that we can now only read about. I have met the enemy and it is us. Let's come to surrender terms and do what is right for today and for the future.

Ken Pittman

Ken Pittman is the afternoon voice for WBSM 1420 AM. Ken is the "Voice of Reason" in SouthCoast Massachusetts. His radio show can be heard on AM 1420 or via the web, at www.wbsm.com.

Ken is married with four children. Both he and his wife Andrea are actively involved in their community in the SouthCoast.

Ken is founder and president of Pittman Investigations, a leading SouthCoast Private Investigations company. With over sixteen years as a private detective, and working with some of the largest insurance carriers in the industry as well as dozens of law firms, and scores of private individulas, Ken has established a reputation of trust, reliability and professionalism and has maintained a relationship with all of the above to this day based on the foundation of investigations; trust and results. 

Ken writes a political blog - which can be read at: http://www.kenpittman.com and maintains a customer service and information website for his private eye investigations company at: http://www.pittmaninvestigations.com.

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