Wednesday, August 27, 2008
By Terri Jo Ryan
Tribune-Herald staff writer
A U.S. Census Bureau report released Tuesday indicates Waco is the fifth-poorest city in the state, with individual poverty levels closer to those experienced in border towns than cities of its own size.
Sociologists and demographic specialists at Baylor University’s Center for Community Research and Development who analyzed the census data found that Waco and McLennan County have poverty levels well above the national level.
In 2007, the poverty rate for families in the city was 21.9 percent. In the county, 13.7 percent of families lived in poverty. At the individual level, the numbers are even more grim: 27.6 percent of Waco residents in the last year lived below the poverty level, as did 19.2 percent of McLennan County residents.
The national rate for poor families is 9.5 percent, and 13 percent for individuals.
The figures have changed little since 1990, Baylor researchers said.
Charles Tolbert, Baylor sociology department chairman and a local census data analyst, cited the stark contrast between the city and the county as a gulf of affluence.
Tolbert said the persistence of poverty means the nonprofit organizations and faith communities that battle social ills “need to redouble our efforts. We have big city, inner city problems here.”
Carson Mencken, Baylor sociologist and a research professor at the university’s Center for Community Research and Development, said. “Unfortunately, the poverty rate tends to stay pretty stable over time.”
Because it is a communitywide issue, it takes a community effort to deal with it, he said. “Can a church or a nonprofit (agency) eliminate poverty? Probably not. But they can alleviate it.”
Susan Cowley, a founder of Talitha Koum Nurture Center, a mental health therapeutic nursery, said the program offered by its parent organization, CrossTies Ministry, seeks to nip multigenerational urban poverty in the bud. CrossTies has been forging relationships with the poor of the Kate Ross community for more than 20 years.
“Poverty is not going to disappear because we pour money into the justice system,” Cowley said. “It won’t go away because we yank government benefits and tell adults to get to work. It’s all been tried. What has not been tried with any breadth or duration is approaching the trajectory of poverty when it can be altered for the long term — at birth.”
More than one in three children in Waco live in poverty, Tolbert said. That data is particularly sobering, his colleagues added, considering the data released Tuesday does not reflect the economic realities of 2008, with rising gasoline and food prices further straining family budgets.
One reason the number of people living in poverty remains high is because the costs of basic necessities such as food, housing and medical care are rising faster than the wages of low-income workers, said John Alexander, executive director of Waco Habitat for Humanity
“The economic forces that are working against those struggling to make ends meet are very powerful and complex,” he added. “However, that doesn’t mean we should give up. Rather, we must continue our work — through nonprofits, communities of faith, government agencies and other means — to make sure that all of our neighbors have the basic necessities of life.”
Larry Lyon, an observer of the area’s socioeconomic conditions during his nearly 30 years with the university’s Center for Community Research and Development, said he is increasingly concerned about the disparity between city and county poverty rates.
Waco, he said, has endured much more out-migration than cities of comparable size. The flow of folks from the inner city to the surrounding suburbs is more akin to the pattern of Dallas, Houston and San Antonio than Tyler, Abilene and Bryan-College Station.
The trend is indicative of a mobile middle class, Lyon said, one that “votes with its feet” for infrastructure such as newer schools and homes on larger lots.
“The poverty problem in (the city of) Waco should be the concern of all McLennan County residents,” Lyon said.
Tolbert agreed, calling for greater economic development efforts.
“We shouldn’t have to be known as a place of low wages,” he said. “I applaud the entities that work to bring jobs to Waco that pay more than the minimum wage.”
Scott Connell, senior vice president of strategic development with the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, said local business leaders acknowledge they have work to do.
“We always want to push the issue” of providing better-paying jobs, Connell said. “We should always be striving for a better situation for our residents.”
Staff writer Mike Copeland contributed to this story.
tjryan@wacotrib.com
757-5746
Comments
By Intelligence
Aug 29, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this
Maybe instead of sitting around and complaining about what the government is or isn't doing, people should do as much as they can to better themselves and the community in whatever way possible. It's not up to the prisoners to do community service and it's not about the "dumb managers" clearly with an attitude like that you would get paid "peanuts." Baylor University is also not the problem as its students are helping the community every day. It cost a lot of money even for people who have money, so obviously if you aren't financially stable you would not be able to afford any private school, let alone college in general. MCC is a wonderful choice for people who actually want to get off of their butts and educate themselves, but of course sitting around and complaining is much easier. I feel sorry for the people who are legitimally trying and still have trouble, but for all of those who sit around and wait for the government to help them instead I have no sympathy. Get a job, get an education, or get out of Waco if it's really that bad.
By Dan
Aug 28, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this
East Waco has gone down since the closing of Paul Quinn. Kids in east Waco have no role models, nothing to do in the summer, feeling of a lesser class citizen. Growing up bottled up from the outside world makes most kids unable to deal with white people, and real world issues.
By null
Aug 28, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
Yes, there are alot of good people tying to do alot to make Waco better. Pointing fingers and arbitrarily placing the blame is not going to help. We, as a city, need to realize these are drastic times and take drastic measures.
Here are some ideas:
1. Mandatory birth control from 14 to 24, or until you can prove you are financially able to afford children. If parents don't want their child on birth control, simply prove you can provide for any grandchildren and sign a legal document stating that you will be responsible if your child gets pregnant. This would drasticly reduce the number of people on welfare, the crime rate, the unemployment rate, overcrowding in our schools, the number of homeless people, etc...
2. East Waco is almost completely comprised of poor homes and businesses. Why don't we just seperate them from us and make East Waco it's own city? Everyone I know generally thinks of it as a seperate city already. What's to gain by keeping it? Think of it like a business. When times are tough, you have to get rid of the things that are costing money not making money. Someone should do a study to see where we would rank on this list without East Waco dragginf our numbers down.
3. Turn prisons back into prisons. Why should convicted criminals get free air-conditioning, free cable TV, free meals, and a free education. Those of us who choose not to break the law have to work hard for those things. Do away with the concept of "prisoner's rights". These people are there because they chose to do something that got them there. Once you violate someone else's rights, you forfeit your own. Many young people today don't fear prison very much so it is not as big a deterrant as it use to be. I look at the prison population as a resource. Use them to clean up the city, tear down old buildings, mow overgrown empty lots, and anything else we need manual labor for. And if they die in prison, harvest their organs. Yes, you read that correctly. Why should good honest people sit on a waiting list, deteriorating, while these criminals are buried with perfectly good organs. We need to send a clear message to criminals: if you choose to break the law, you belong to the city or state or Feds. We will own you while you are incarcerated, period. Last thing on this subject, stop sentencing people to 25 years or more. Just execute them. (and harvest their organs)By putting someone in prison for more than 25 years, we are agreeing to feed and clothe them for decades. If they get out after that being "in" so long, they will be nothing more than a drain on society. They will have very few social skills or jobs skills so they will get on welfare or disability. Or they will go back to the way of life where they have the most experience, a life of crime.
I know your first reaction is to fly off the handle at these ideas but if you really take the time to think about it, it all makes the most since. Until this city and this state and this country are willing to take drastic steps like these, change will slow and slight.
By null
Aug 28, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
Yes, there are alot of good people tying to do alot to make Waco better. Pointing fingers and arbitrarily placing the blame is not going to help. We, as a city, need to realize these are drastic times and take drastic measures.
Here are some ideas:
1. Mandatory birth control from 14 to 24, or until you can prove you are financially able to afford children. If parents don't want their child on birth control, simply prove you can provide for any grandchildren and sign a legal document stating that you will be responsible if your child gets pregnant. This would drasticly reduce the number of people on welfare, the crime rate, the unemployment rate, overcrowding in our schools, the number of homeless people, etc...
2. East Waco is almost completely comprised of poor homes and businesses. Why don't we just seperate them from us and make East Waco it's own city? Everyone I know generally thinks of it as a seperate city already. What's to gain by keeping it? Think of it like a business. When times are tough, you have to get rid of the things that are costing money not making money. Someone should do a study to see where we would rank on this list without East Waco dragginf our numbers down.
3. Turn prisons back into prisons. Why should convicted criminals get free air-conditioning, free cable TV, free meals, and a free education. Those of us who choose not to break the law have to work hard for those things. Do away with the concept of "prisoner's rights". These people are there because they chose to do something that got them there. Once you violate someone else's rights, you forfeit your own. Many young people today don't fear prison very much so it is not as big a deterrant as it use to be. I look at the prison population as a resource. Use them to clean up the city, tear down old buildings, mow overgrown empty lots, and anything else we need manual labor for. And if they die in prison, harvest their organs. Yes, you read that correctly. Why should good honest people sit on a waiting list, deteriorating, while these criminals are buried with perfectly good organs. We need to send a clear message to criminals: if you choose to break the law, you belong to the city or state or Feds. We will own you while you are incarcerated, period. Last thing on this subject, stop sentencing people to 25 years or more. Just execute them. (and harvest their organs)By putting someone in prison for more than 25 years, we are agreeing to feed and clothe them for decades. If they get out after that being "in" so long, they will be nothing more than a drain on society. They will have very few social skills or jobs skills so they will get on welfare or disability. Or they will go back to the way of life where they have the most experience, a life of crime.
I know your first reaction is to fly off the handle at these ideas but if you really take the time to think about it, it all makes the most since. Until this city and this state and this country are willing to take drastic steps like these, change will slow and slight.
By MovedOut InThe70's
Aug 28, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
Waco's problem is that there is more white trash there than in a dumpster behind a paper plate factory!!!
By Waco. We do-do.
Aug 28, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
"By Waco. We do-do.
Aug 28, 2008 12:13 AM | Link to this
While the power brokers (that Scott Baker constantly defends) in Waco ARE to be commended for doing a better than average job of making sure that they get more for themselves, and give out less to anyone who helps them get rich, that is only part of the problem. The definition of a job is the same anywhere:
The employer pays just enough that the worker won't quit; and the employee works just hard enough that he/she won't get fired.
Waco is no differnt. It's been that way since the Pharaoh was beating the slaves slacking off on the Pyramids in 3000 B.C.
Waco workers don't make much because they don't have many marketable skills."
You missed my point. Scott Baker is not the main problem (although he has certainly taken it upon himself to be the most visible- the others stay in the shadows). Margaret Mills $ Company and the lazy editorial board of the Trib, are better examples of the problem. Scott Baker has merely taken it upon himself to be their apologist, mouthpiece and cheerleader.
When the football team loses 47-0, it is not the cheerleader's fault.
Waco, which is on I-35, one of the busiest hubs of commerce on the planet, has a nice (although poop-filled) lake, the bluffs in Cameron Park and a Big XII University, still has the 5th poorest track record in the state- one of the poorest, most crime-filled places you could possibly live in the entire enormous entire State of Texas. That didn't happen by accident. It's takes a concerted, sustained effort to 'F' up that badly.
The mayor, city counsil, county commissioners, police dept, and WISD administrators all ought to submit their resignations. And the back room profiteers ought to be boycotted and run out of town. Or, absent that, can we just bulldoze everything from Lorena to Crestview, and start over?? Make the place off limits for 20 years ala' Chernobyl, then, after all these morons (white, black, rich, poor) have died off, let a new generation start over...
By Waco. We do-do.
Aug 28, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
"By my 2 cents
Aug 28, 2008 3:52 AM | Link to this
I went to school and got a career doing something I knew I didn't really want to do, but that would provide a decent amount for me to live off of. When I'm at work it is stressful, and I never even really have time for a lunch break lasting longer than 10 minutes, but I don't have to worry about living on just 20K a year either. With everything there is a trade-off. When people are going to school to get that degree they really need to think about not just what they want to do, but whether or not they can make a decent living. I'd honestly rather have a stressful work life, than not have enough money to live above poverty level, but I know everyone is different and some people really cannot handle stress. Also, the longer you can put off having kids the better, because this will allow you to advance your education and career further, providing more money in the future. Graduate high school, live with parents first two yrs of college while going to community college and work a part-time or full-time job (whatever you can handle), and then transfer to a four year school so you won't have so much debt. Don't have kids until college debt is paid off."
Darm good advice. That ought to be on 100 billboards in Waco, (instead of 100 billboards for attorneys advertizing how to help you get on disability).
Hats off to you.
By Rosie
Aug 28, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
When I moved here 15 years ago a friend said to me --Welcome to the 1940's. Moving from Dallas I looked at this person and thought he was nuts. As a female and engineer I thought my friend was just being pessimistic. Oh I was soo wrong. It was like stepping back in time in attitudes towards workers and foremost women. I had to fight to get education for my workers, at times making it happen then asking forgivness from my bosses.
When I left the company I made the wrong move to stay local at start a business which due to outside circumstances had issues. For 5 years I have tried to get back into what I have over 20 years experience in but very openly future employers have said there is no way a WOMAN could have that kind of experience or my age is an issue. So I am stuck since moving to a new city is not financially feasible at the moment but it might become required.
My daughter will soon be graduating from Tarleton with 3 biology degrees. I have told her to not only move out of Waco but Texas. When I first moved to Texas in the late 70's, women were give a chance but since some people who are now in power both local and statewide feel women are second class to even stay in Texas is putting a lock on ever having a future. It does not make a difference your education or experience it is who you know, if you are the right sex and if you know your place.
By my 2 cents
Aug 28, 2008 3:52 AM | Link to this
I went to school and got a career doing something I knew I didn't really want to do, but that would provide a decent amount for me to live off of. When I'm at work it is stressful, and I never even really have time for a lunch break lasting longer than 10 minutes, but I don't have to worry about living on just 20K a year either. With everything there is a trade-off. When people are going to school to get that degree they really need to think about not just what they want to do, but whether or not they can make a decent living. I'd honestly rather have a stressful work life, than not have enough money to live above poverty level, but I know everyone is different and some people really cannot handle stress. Also, the longer you can put off having kids the better, because this will allow you to advance your education and career further, providing more money in the future. Graduate high school, live with parents first two yrs of college while going to community college and work a part-time or full-time job (whatever you can handle), and then transfer to a four year school so you won't have so much debt. Don't have kids until college debt is paid off.
By apple
Aug 28, 2008 2:37 AM | Link to this
Waco jobs pay you peanuts but want you to be super natural and deal with the dumb managers.
Waco needs better jobs, better managers, better education (Baylor doesnt want working people at it's school, the church oops school closes around 5pm and charges you a leg even if you go part time...never heard of this at your other private schools even in Texas i.e. SMU, Rice)
Make section 8 more appropriate...I think you should get it if you can't walk or have some serious reason. On the same note, offer them real job assistance too.
Attract more businesses to build in Waco.... This means being more educated in diversity, and being education on the realities of 2008.
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