Why isn't Bath flourishing?

For years I wondered why there is so little industry in Bath. Why our industrial park (built for that purpose, I presume?) is not a flourishing source of outside monies to expand our closed economy. After seeing the impediments thrown in the path of a single large retailer attempting to locate in Bath, I wonder no longer.

But I do have to wonder - Is this really about light pollution and mosquitoes and imported goods? Environmental issues can be addressed with technology and good old-fashioned engineering. Imported goods are everywhere.

Or is it about people who have found a comfortable niche for themselves and quite frankly don't care to notice the long lines of working poor waiting for food on Liberty Street, the generations of welfare moms who parade up and down with children not much older than they are, the scores of family homes either for sale or sadly run down for lack of money to maintain them? This is not Mayberry no matter how much people would like to wish it into existence.

With all our area has to offer, I can't believe Bath could not be home to many large employers. We should be in a position to pick and choose our industries and our future - one that includes every citizen. But we will never have that option as long as we are famous (or infamous) for making them feel unwelcome.

Linda DePaulo-Hargraves Bath