Absolutely FANTASTIC Letter to the Editor; "Leaving Defiance (Ohio) County"

[maxrandb]

https://www.crescent-news.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/letters-to-the-editor/article_97bfed33-ace4-4292-bdec-bf8e1808fa77.html

My God this is a great LTE.

"I am one of many young adults who plan to leave Defiance County as soon as I am able. That decision did not come lightly, but it has become clear.

People often ask why so many young adults leave small towns like ours. The answer is not complicated. It is not just about jobs. It is about mindset.

Defiance has built a culture that resists growth while simultaneously complaining about stagnation. New ideas are often treated as threats. Different perspectives are labeled as disruptive. Progress is framed as unnecessary change. When a community repeatedly chooses the same leadership, the same priorities, and the same narrow vision for its future, it should not be surprised when nothing improves."

Rest is at the link.

If you stomach it, check out the LTE The Crescent News ran after this one. Combined they are a "Mic Drop" on MAGAt 'Murika

My God!! This young woman speaks for me.

[Ocelot II]

1. Paywall.

[maxrandb]

3. Sorry, the link worked for me. Maybe you get one freebie

I don't know how to make it available for all, but it's a shame, because it is great.

If the DU rules about 4 paragraphs don't apply to letters to the editor, I will post the hole letter and delete the link.

[leftieNanner]

4. I didn't have any problems. Nt

[hunter]

11. I didn't it a paywall. Usually you get a few articles for free.

You may have read other articles from this newspaper or others owned by the same publisher.

I was surprised Cal Thomas is still around. He vanished from our "Left Coast" newspapers years ago.

[UpInArms]

2. Outstanding

This letter definitely describes my area, as well

[maxrandb]

5. Here is the entire letter for those that can't access the link

Last edited Mon Feb 9, 2026, 04:24 PM - Edit history (2)

It's in The Crescent News

Leaving Defiance County

I am one of many young adults who plan to leave Defiance County as soon as I am able. That decision did not come lightly, but it has become clear.

People often ask why so many young adults leave small towns like ours. The answer is not complicated. It is not just about jobs. It is about mindset.

Defiance has built a culture that resists growth while simultaneously complaining about stagnation. New ideas are often treated as threats. Different perspectives are labeled as disruptive. Progress is framed as unnecessary change. When a community repeatedly chooses the same leadership, the same priorities, and the same narrow vision for its future, it should not be surprised when nothing improves.

Young professionals notice when opportunity feels limited. They notice when innovation is discouraged. They notice when conversations about economic diversification, inclusivity, or modernization are dismissed before they can even happen. And they notice when frustration about wages, affordability and quality of life is directed outward rather than inward.

We cannot keep making the same civic and cultural choices and expect different outcomes. We cannot resist change and then wonder why growth never arrives. Communities reflect the values they consistently reward. If conformity is more comfortable than curiosity, and tradition is valued more than forward thinking, then ambition will always feel out of place.

Living in a place that feels small-minded is exhausting. It is exhausting to watch potential leave because it cannot breathe here. It is exhausting to hear complaints about money, opportunity, and amenities from the very people who resist the shifts that could attract them.

This is not written to be polite. It is written to be honest.

If Defiance wants to stop the steady drain of talent and energy, it will have to confront a difficult truth: economic vitality and cultural openness go hand in hand. Without one, the other will never fully materialize.

Until there is a genuine willingness to expand the way this community thinks about growth, opportunity and inclusion, many of us will continue to build our futures elsewhere."

[Ocelot II]

6. Thanks!

[mountain grammy]

14. Thank you..

[AllaN01Bear]

17. thanks .

[maxsolomon]

7. How you gonna keep em on the farm when they've seen the city?

Last edited Mon Feb 9, 2026, 02:41 PM - Edit history (1)

This is the eternal story of rural America - a provincial mindset stifles the open minded youth. MAGA's weaponized xenophobia and transphobia exacerbates the problem.

The exceptions are small towns with Liberal Arts colleges - like Athens OH, or Yellow Springs (RIP Antioch).

She'll head for a liberal bubble like Chicago, Cleveland, maybe even Cincy (within the city limits it's plenty Liberal).

[yardwork]

8. I left a small town in Ohio decades ago for the same reasons.

[BluesRunTheGame]

9. On the other hand, ...

…Defiance is a relatively safe community with a low cost of living.

[DBoon]

12. perfect for attracting retirees

[crud]

10. Just to bracket this letter...

the letter following asserts that the earth is 6,000 years old. ugh, so much for forward thinking.

[maxrandb]

15. Yep! I consider myself a man of faith, but I don't recognize the God they created

Last edited Mon Feb 9, 2026, 04:25 PM - Edit history (1)

I am becoming more and more convinced that, 6,000 years ago, the wealthy and powerful held a summit.

"Look, the poor and the unwashed masses are always complaining and demanding stuff. Food, shelter, security, protection under the law, honest wages for their work, etc.
What if we gave them an invisible sky being that was responsible for EVERYTHING?
If we can convince enough of them that their true reward comes in the afterlife, they won't pay attention to how much we're screwing them over in this one. "

[Betty Boom]

13. I grew up about 50 miles from there and know exactly what she's talking about

Same mindset, different state. But I know exactly what she’s talking about. It’s the conservative mindset of not ever wanting anything to change. And then bitching about it when people leave because the community is so resistant to change. So all they end up doing is getting change anyway as their towns shrivel up and die. Drive through that part of northern Ohio and northern Indiana. It’s small town after small town with empty storefronts where the only thing to do on a Saturday night is to go to the high school basketball game. And the kids can’t wait to get the hell out of town once they graduate, unless they’re total losers like their parents.

[AllaN01Bear]

16. paywall

[Ilsa]

18. 38,000+ population. It's too bad they've become so stagnant. nt

[barbtries]

19. i did try, but hit the paywall.

couldn't see a thing.

[maxrandb]

21. I posted the entire letter in post #5 above

[barbtries]

23. the second letter referenced in the OP?

i was going to check that out per your recommendation. thanks!

[WalkingMan1959]

20. Get out while you can...

I worked with young students for 30yr in NC Community College System. I would encourage them to get out of their home town and live somewhere else and see a different side of their world. You can always comeback in 20-30 years and help take care of your parents.

[dedl67]

22. This is an example of a long-term demographic trend

There has been a trend over generations of talented, ambitious young people leaving small towns and rural areas for large cities, where they have more scope for their ambitions. This leaves fewer of the bright, talented people in these small towns who would contribute heavily to their vitality. These places become even less attractive, spurring further exodus. This vicious cycle leads to differences in the demographic composition of small-town and urban America, which has spilled over into divergent political views