What can be done regarding the "Central City" these days?
Children are killed, reading on their porch, from errant gunfire directed at rival gang members. Dropout rates are close to a shocking 50% leaving few kids with a hope of elevating themselves beyond street urchin. Teen and unwed pregnancy rates are the highest in the nation ensuring the cycle will continue for another generation.
What government program would break this downward spiral? If we spent billions of dollars in a square mile area would it make the dropout rate decline to an acceptable level? In my opinion-no. If we walled up one square mile and put it under a military/police state would it reduce the teen pregnancy rate? No.
So, what can be done that will bring positive results? Mr. Joseph Zilber may have the only answer and provide the only hope of a better life in the central city.
Mr. Zilber made millions of dollars as a real estate developer. He was, and is, one of the best. He made money the right way, by working hard, taking risks, applying his intelligence, playing hardball yet treating people fairly. http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=749374
These days he is investing his money on a very risky development by giving $50 million to improve the quality of life for those in need. He is going to do it his way. That means there is a higher probability of success. He will not invent the wheel or give it to a government entity that will inevitably reinvent failure and have the money fall into the hands of barnacles. He will fund organizations that are succeeding, with very little resources, and grow that success model.
Mr. Zilber can fund what he wants and decline to fund those who do not meet his standards. He has no quota or mandate from Federal, State or Local governments. He does not have to be politically or religiously correct. In other words, he is the supreme ruler and leader of this initiative. We put statues in our parks of leaders-not committees, because leaders win wars, form great countries, inspire us to greatness and get things done.
Let us pray that Mr. Zilber's efforts are successful. If he is, others will follow his lead and that $50 million could grow to 3 times that. Theoretically, if he improved the life of 1,000 men, women or children, that number would triple. That would be a lot of people we would not have to feed, reeducate, incarcerate, or take care of their children.
It may be too early, but let's start looking for a park to place the statue.
