This is NOT the kind of PR Berlin needs

It was discouraging to read this story in the Boston Globe this morning and then to hear it repeated  on New Hampshire Public Radio. What bothered us most was the inaccuracy of the quote that portrayed 90% of Berlin as run down.
In fact, I've noticed lots of improvements in neighborhoods all over Berlin. There's new paint, new landscaping, and most noticeably the new window displays at the Cote block building, thanks to Jim Wagner of AVER,  Stacia Roberge of Berlin Main Street,  and Portland Glass.
In fact, the burnt out rubble and run-down buildings are closer to 10% of Berlin, not 90%. But perception is reality and a picture is worth a thousand words. The fact that that is what we see every time we drive thru town is creating the image of Berlin a town burning down, and stories like this aren't helping.
We all need to work together to change the message and change the image, or any efforts to recruit new businesses to town will fall on deaf, or at best incredulous ears.

Comments

[Alberto Teatro]

Calm down we don't have an arsonist we just have some sick bastard lighting buildings on fire with people inside. Instead of climing there is no problem the city needs to declare itself a disaster area, like it is, and bring the needed resources here to fix this problem. This arsonist needs to be publicly informed of the time he is facing and be charged with murder and attempted murder.
The pizza delivery man was jumped in front of my house, three nights ago, blood covered the streets. Last night two men were chasing another through my back yard, to "kill" him, the police found nothing, nor did they get out of their cruisers (it was late). The first step in getting help is admitting there might be a problem.
Berlin needs to clean itself up and start marketing her good neighbourhoods and next time the Mayor gets to be on public television he should not tell the world" only welfare families are moving here" becuse it is not true!!! Berlin has a lot of good people that have moved here and the city is better served by him maybe meeting those people, opening his eyes and promoting the good folks and developements that are also happening here in Berlin. What would you tell the world and potential investors if you had ten minutes of tv time?

[Alberto Teatro]

Thank the Mayor, he had NHPTV here and that is what he chose to show them and he is one of those individuals that does not care legitematly about the appaerance of the city. You wouldn't go to a job interview in ratty clothes, we have to start taking better care of our main thoroufares and public spaces, we have to dress for success. We need to spend more on our appearance no matter what, whatever you spend on your appearance you will get back from private reinvestment. Or we can just leave the city looking the way it does, afterall Laidlaw, slumlords and Bob like it just the way it.