Parma Observer Is 8 Years Old

Daniel P. McCarthy Parma Observer Publisher

Eight years publishing the thoughts and dreams of people in the Greater Parma Area has certainly been a unique pleasure and a learning experience as well. One thing that has certainly remained constant is the ever present need to find answers to a host of persistent issues that have been part of this area for as long as I can remember. Whether it is roads, business development, cultural resources, walkability, effective marketing, etc., these are challenges that are best faced when community partners work together in order to move in the right direction and meet with success. Regardless of outcomes in the past, these are times that demand new pragmatic approaches and fresh perspectives well suited for dealing with challenges and issues encountered by inner suburban areas like ours all over the nation. We are no different in that respect. Where we are different, happily, is in the category of safety. Parma was only recently named one of the top 100 Safest Cities in America, the only city in Ohio to make the list. Make no mistake about it- this was certainly no accident. This is a direct reflection of the excellent relationship that exists between Parma citizens and our Safety Forces. We want them to be effective, we give them the resources and support they need, and they in turn consistently deliver excellent service that has proven results and makes our city a safe place to live, work and raise a family. The same goes with Parma Heights and Seven Hills. As far as I'm concerned, that puts us way ahead of other communities when it comes to finding our way along the path of sustainability and prosperity in the 21st Century. Growth, opportunity and excitement will continue as long as we are willing to embrace ideas from as many community stakeholders as we possibly can when we are making decisions that affect the future of everyone. Can't lives on Won't Street- we've got to be willing to consider and try new solutions if we want to achieve new results. In the words of AOL founder Steve Case when asked what he thought the Cleveland Area needed for positive growth, "They need to be more fearless and less risk averse". The crowd at the Annual Cleveland Foundation meeting burst into applause when he said that- I was there. People know it's true- our leaders need to recognize that if they want to be part of the future that matters.

Knowing that the Parma Observer has played even the slightest role in serving to increase the collective thought process of our community is truly an honor. In this era of conglomerated corporate media, independent media is the only place where average citizens can have their voices heard. Whenever we are contacted by people who just want to let us know that their lives were impacted in some way because of the Parma Observer, I am even more convinced that our 8 year effort has been well worth it, struggles and all, and the future is bright. Don't forget our wonderful advertisers, every last one, and the great service they do, because only they have made it possible for we the people of the Greater Parma Area to enjoy a media source where we can share our thoughts and dreams with each other in the pages of the Parma Observer. 

Daniel P. McCarthy

I am the publisher of the Parma Observer. Lifetime resident of Parma for over 50 years.

Read More on
Volume 9, Issue 10, Posted 8:44 AM, 10.05.2017