Former resident calls for change

To the editor:

Portland continues to take hit after hit, and the challenges our community faces cannot be ignored any longer.

From economic decline to housing shortages and infrastructure failures, it feels as though our city is being tested at every turn  —  and yet, little is being done to find real solutions. 

Jay County has lost over 1,000 jobs in the past decade, shrinking the local workforce and weakening the tax base. At the same time, our housing stock has barely grown since the 1990s, leaving us with shortages and blight while younger families move elsewhere. Efforts to develop new housing are moving far too slowly. 

Infrastructure is another critical problem. Flooding from Millers Branch and the Salamonie River continues to damage property and quality of life, while the city still faces a 2025 deadline to eliminate combined sewer overflows. Our emergency services are stretched thin, with outdated facilities and communications equipment that put both responders and residents at risk. 

Health and social issues compound these struggles. Jay County is classified as a shortage area for primary care, dental and mental health services. Prescription drug abuse and overdoses remain serious concerns. Poverty rates are high, especially among children, leaving too many families vulnerable. 

Adding to these problems, the Portland Police Department has become part of the issue rather than part of the solution. It is no secret the department needs a complete overhaul. A community cannot thrive without trust in law enforcement and, right now, that trust is broken. 

On top of this, downtown Portland still suffers from neglected and hazardous properties, stalling revitalization efforts. Policy debates over solar farms, wind energy and funding bills only add to the uncertainty about the county’s direction. 

As a former Portland resident and now a business owner based out of Houston, Texas, I have reached out to Mayor Jeff Westlake and members of the city council. The mayor initially replied but now no longer responds, and not one council member has acknowledged my repeated emails. My business and I have even offered to sit down and meet  —  at no cost  —  to discuss ways we could help address these challenges, yet nobody has been willing to respond. 

Portland and Jay County deserve leaders who listen, who respond and who act with urgency. Ignoring citizens and rejecting offers of help will not move this community forward. The time for change is now. 

Sincerely, 

Josh Schlechty

Houston