<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-786" src="http://carolinacrossroads.news/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Logo_Abbreviated_Cropped.png" alt="Logo_Abbreviated_Cropped" width="149" height="101" /> <em><strong>Carolina Crossroads News, </strong></em>a locally owned and operated <em><strong>Free</strong></em> online multimedia service officially launches today.

"We're here to serve our community, to give, not take, to promote a healthy, prosperous, safe environment where individuals from all backgrounds, all walks of life and all persuasions can live, work, worship and prosper in peace and harmony, a place where the existing demographic, graduating seniors, retirees and those who want to return can feel at home, safe and welcome, and if desired, discover exciting, fulfilling, living wage careers, while taking advantage of our rich and diverse social and cultural heritage.

Q: What made you decide to start a new media service?

A: Despite decades of generous taxpayer funded assistance and a plethora of well-intentioned programs and economic development efforts, Scotland County remains the most economically depressed in all North Carolina.

Things aren't headed in the right direction either. Folks continue to leave, and many who stay say they do so only because they can't sell out at prices that allow them to move elsewhere. They feel trapped.

Crime, including violent crime is high and appears to be gaining the upper hand. Many express fear of leaving the house, even for a short while, afraid they'll be burglarized during their absence. Others are afraid to stay home, fearing armed invasion, assault and worse. It's a difficult situation.

Q: What do you intend to do and really, what can you do to promote positive change?

A: We've become convinced that despite the serious nature of our problems, there are workable solutions.

The biggest impediment appears to be County and other government entities having essentially been captured by those who feel comfortable with things remaining just the way they are. Salaries and benefit packages are high and if they can just hang on long enough, those of us who remain stuck here, can send generous pension checks to their new addresses in sunny Florida and Arizona.

Q: What's this destructive symbiosis called?

A: Parasitic. A parasite feeds on its host until its blood and life juices have been sucked dry, at which point the parasite tries to jump onto a new host. The fact is, this isn't a healthy or sustainable relationship, at least not for the Host.

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A new approach may be needed.