I would like to make several points regarding the change in Worthington over the past 50+ years. This is a history lesson for thought!!!!!!!!! I would like to make several points regarding the change in Worthington over the past 50+ years. This is a history lesson for thought!!!!!!!!! In 1960 the Worthington Populations was right at 10,000; today the population is right at 10,000 so very little change in the number of person living in Worthington. In 1960 there was sheriff and three officers and one officer had a canine, so we will count that as 4. Today the Roster of the Police department is 26 persons. An increase of 23 officers, with no increase in population growth. This must indicate there has been GIGANTIC increase in crime. In 1960 Campbell’s soup was a major employer, today it’s Armour. In 1960 there were about 8-10 small markets where people could shop, charge their purchase and pay at the end of the month. (That’s trust in the residents). The main street of Worthington had a very vibrant business community. Shoe store, dress shops, Restaurants, Hardware, Drug stores, Movie theaters, Meier’s Pool Hall ( My uncles), Barbers, ETC. Today other than Friday & Saturday nights you could fire a cannon down main street and not hit very much. 1960 there were four wonderful motels, owned by locals. Today most business has move to along the highway and the first mall is a dismal failure. Worthington sold there hospital to a major hospital Corp and received approx. 25 Million ( I understand) how has those funds been put to improving the city? A beautiful old historic courthouse was torn down and new court house built that is IMHO, ugly as hell. The old Grade school building and Middle school was torn down and the only thing standing today is the old auditorium. The education system taught English (not the language, but how to read and write the language. This is not meant to disparage any ethnicity.) , Math, History, Shop, Home Economics ETC: Students that graduated could actually count back change to a customer, unlike today. You had to know the capitals of every state, today I have asked students and they don’t even know how many states consist of the U.S. I spoke with the Principle of WHS about 2 years ago, when I returned for the death of a relative and he gave me a tour of the school. All the new classes are terrific, the school is beautiful, but he did inform me that over 50% of the students can’t speak or write English. So to summarize: I loved Growing up in Worthington and I really enjoy returning to Worthington every 5 year for a HS reunion, seeing classmates, and those other friends that are still alive, but IMHO, Worthington is not a safe place or family friendly community to raise kids as it was 50 years ago.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 01:34:25 +0000