<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, a plethora of well-intentioned programs and numerous 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 would 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: Whatever it is, we can't do it alone. We're going to need members of our community to commit, along with us, to take the bull by the horns and do that which is required to turn this ship around.

Q: How do you propose to start?

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

The biggest impediment to positive change is that County and other related government entities have largely been captured by those who feel comfortable and have a stake in seeing that things stay as they are. Salaries and benefit packages are high, especially when compared to the county mean. Many feel that if they can just hang on long enough, those of us stuck here, can send generous pension checks to their new addresses in Florida and Arizona.

Q: Is there a term to describe this destructive symbiotic relationship?

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

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A new approach may be needed.