Concerns about the condition and appearance of the City of Clinton were a major topic during Tuesday night’s Clinton City Council meeting.
During the Mayor’s Report, Mayor Carla Moberly introduced former Clinton mayor Dr. Gus Wetzel, who addressed the council about issues he believes are affecting the community’s future. Wetzel’s comments came in front of a large turnout of community members attending the meeting in support of his message, including several local business owners and representatives from organizations such as Clinton Main Street, the Henry County Museum, and other community groups..
Wetzel told council members he first learned about a potential data center project that could bring new jobs to Clinton roughly a year ago through conversations with the city’s economic developer. While he said the project could represent a major opportunity for the community, he also expressed concern about the current state of the city.
Wetzel explained that he has spent many hours driving through different areas of town and said he has observed what he described as signs of a community in decline.
Among the issues he highlighted were several empty buildings on the downtown square that have remained vacant for more than a decade and are showing signs of deterioration. He also pointed to the former Jefferson Park School building as another example of a structure that has become an eyesore over time.
Wetzel also raised concerns about homelessness and encampments in parts of the community, sharing a story of a local business owner who he said recently called her father because she felt unsafe walking to her vehicle. He expressed the situation should be handled with compassion.
Other concerns included properties where trash, furniture, abandoned vehicles and debris have accumulated, as well as situations where people are living in camper trailers parked next to homes.
Wetzel specifically mentioned a property located west of the north junction entering Clinton that he said has become a dumping ground for concrete, asphalt and dirt piles. The site still contains the shell of a former hotel structure, which he described as a visible eyesore for those entering the city.
Despite the challenges he outlined, Wetzel said he believes the community has the people and the willingness to address many of these issues.
He told council members he believes he could gather as many as 200 volunteers within the community willing to help clean up and improve parts of the city. Wetzel added that local civic groups and community organizations would likely be willing to assist as well, but said the city would need to help clear legal hurdles and work alongside volunteers to make progress.
Wetzel concluded his remarks by urging the council to take action to improve the condition and appearance of Clinton, saying the community’s future growth and economic opportunities could depend on it.
