why oscoda is the no 1 of unemployment ?

[bsu]

because in some places like kalitta air base are employees illegals without work permit working and they taking
the place for us workers or legals persons that can be safe working in that special field where supposedly have to be hight confidence in the personal ... oscoda is the nest of a lot of illegals that are taking the advance of the softness of the law in the area or the not properly investigations of the documentations theses peoples are using to get residency in the area .. in the future oscoda will be the no 1 place where more violations of the national security is taking place ... you can report any issues @ 1-866-347-2423 .. be a patriot ..

[the guy who moved away]

What school did you go to?

I can count the number of illegals in Oscoda on one hand. The area is predominatly white with about as many minoraties as there are high paying jobs. If there are any illegals, their Canadian.

[Derf]

I know the situation bsu is referring to, however, I feel he is off base when he says that there are many illegals working there. The cargo airline which operates it's overhaul facility there, has exhausted the pool of local talent. Talent, which contrary to popular beleif, is not that common. Working on aircraft competently is not easy, and requires, experience, and integrity. Babysitting people who are learning this profession is very time-consuming. This company does train people new to this industry, but cannot train hundreds of them at one time, give them a break. The people bsu is referring to, are I assume, the people who are originally from south america, and elsewhere. The aircraft company in question hires these people on contract, because they are highly skilled, predominantly in the sheetmetal fabrication and repair area. A skill, I might add, that many aircraft mechanics are very lacking in, even after years of experience. It is a bit of an art form. In my personal experience, these contracted employees are legal to work in the USA, and contribute to the community there in Oscoda in many ways. Why assume that when you see someone with darker skin, and a heavy accent, that they are illegal?? That is very ignorant.

[the guy who moved away]

You hit the nail on the head man. I know a bunch of the guys you're talking about. Most of them are from Peru or Bolivia. Hell, two of them are now part of the family after marrying some of my relatives.

You're right about the job skill required at the airline (Coleta, right?). People complain about people working their that aren't from the area, but fail to realize that they are filling jobs that no one in the area can fill. Good call.

[Burbs of Of Oscoda]

What does Kalitta Air have to do with the unemployment in Oscoda, they are one of the largest employers in the area? Oscoda needs to devise a plan for growth for the future, it can not survive, as the Villages of Wurtsmith would have you believe, as a retirement community. How can we expect to prosper if a majority of the residents are only in the area 1/2 the year.

When was the last time you heard someone say I can't wait to winter in Oscoda, I love the high gas prices and so many choices of grocery stores the the competition keeps the prices so low.

[chiliman]

We are having some construction done at our home in Oscoda.

We hired a local builder.

He says he is having trouble finding help.

As bad as things are right now, no one has even asked if he has work.

My signficant other's brother is going to work for Kalitta (he is in training right now).

He had some intital training down state. For that training, 40 people were scheduled - only 18 showed up.

Apparently Kalitta is willing to train but is having trouble finding folks who even want to be trained and work as evidenced by the poor turnout at their training session. So if there are lots of unemployed and at least 40 of them were trainable and Kalitta was willing to train and 22 of them did not even show up - where is the problem?

Do we have a unemployed force that simply talks about no work being available but is unwilling to tak on the work that is available?

I do not know the answer to that question but I can almost guarantee you that neither the State or other employers will be anxious to put jobs in a place where the potential work force is ambivalent.

[WeTheSheeple]

Maybe people are hoping for the return of the $100K/yr auto industry jobs........

The people left here seem to be those unable (or unwilling) to move to where the decent jobs are. I'm retired, so I don't mind the lack of high-wage jobs; it keeps the cost of living down. Housing prices are finally returning to something close to reasonable now that all those from downstate can't afford their "up north" homes anymore.

[anonymous]

Chiliman: I am a single unemployed mom. Like many others here, I am NOT ambivalent about work but I am not equipped to do construction on houses. Nor am I equipped to lift heavy airplane parts--even if I were trained.

And about that "downstate" training: If a company wants employees here--TRAIN HERE. It is damn hard for families here to get downstate. Many families here are single car families and they can't afford for their only car to be downstate for training. Many families--like me--have cars that are not trustworthy enough to make the drive downstate. Some are single parent homes with no where to leave their kids while they train downstate. Still others--also like me--have sick elderly relatives that they look after and they cannot leave them to train downstate.

Next time--BEFORE you dump on the good people of Oscoda--THINK.

[the guy who moved away]

All the people with so many problems that can't afford to drive downstate, can't afford to go anywhere else outside of Oscoda to find work, can't afford daycare, can't do this, can't do that, and say they can't afford to keep their cars in good working condition. Somehow they find the money to afford internet access and somehow find the time to go online and bitch and moan about the world. Intersting.

P.S. If the shoe fits, wear it. If you instantly take offense to this than you admit to being lazy.
This isn't directed toward the poster above either.

[anonymous]

If I could fix my car up or get good, quality daycare for the price of my internet access --$21.95 a month -- I'd be in heaven. But, I can't.

The sad fact is that my car CAN'T be fixed at any price--it is OLD. I've driven it for years and years and it no longer is reliable enough to travel up and down the freeways. Thus, no down state training.

And, good, trustworthy, reliable daycare is WAY more than the cost of monthly internet. And to train downstate, I'd have to find daycare that would take my child OVERNIGHT. Not gonna happen--especially at $21.95 a month (The cost of my internet.) So, again, downstate training is not possible.

Lots of folks up here in Oscoda live normal, productive lives and have no money problems. Others of us are not so lucky. We are stuck with old cars, sick relatives, school age kids -- things that really do prevent us from taking advantage of a lot of opportunities.

Do we wish things were different?? I do; I'm sure others do as well. But, the cost of internet (or even cable) is not going to bring about big, super, happy changes in the majority of lives up here.

[the guy who moved away]

But wasting time on the internet instead of doing somthing about it does.

Remember, if the shoe fits, wear it. Again, this wasn't directed towards the poster above.

[FHC2008]

the guy who moved away wrote:

But wasting time on the internet instead of doing somthing about it does.
Remember, if the shoe fits, wear it. Again, this wasn't directed towards the poster above.

Then to whom are you addressing it to?

[Burbs Of Oscoda]

Maybe Kalitta could fly the 40 downstate to give them training, put them up in the Sheridan, give them money to eat at Hooters and chauffeur them from the training to the hotel. This would be sorta a signing bonus.

Com'on get real if you want to work you'll find a way to get the training poor poor me...borrow a car, take a bus, get a life stop whining and stop taking welfare if you don't want to work!

[the guy who moved away]

lol, exactly my point. Good call.

[ziggy]

MMMmmmm!! Geeee!! I'm thankful I don't have to worry about this stuff. Thank God that I have affordable bills for my income, but I totally sympathize with those who do have to worry. And living here in a town where work is, a rarity lately, my heart goes out to those who are struggling. I see and know many here who try their best, and can't seem to make headway,,,, I feel so bad for them...makes me want to do something to help them, but what can I do? It's bad. And, in spite what SOME might think, I don't know of ANYONE here who is just sitting on their butts and living on welfare. And as for the cost of using a computer a month (21.95?), that number could hardly feed a family a month, or possibly put a dent in the gas bill a month, or for that matter, really make a difference in ANYONES bills a month,,,,,,but it is about the cheapest form of reading the daily news, communicating with others, and helping keep up your spirits from worry that otherwise could cause you to lose your mind. Its cheaper than eating out, or sitting in the corner bar. Everyone has to have some kind of outlet from the pressures they are under. I don't begrudge anyone that.

(and this wasn't directed towards 2 of the 3 posters above me)

[anonymous]

WOW. It must be so nice, so comforting to be so damn smug and sure that you are right. I was like you once. I had a great job and looked down my nose at those who struggled. I just didn't get it. But now I am that person.(I left a good job in another state to come here and take care of my mom--who has cancer. I was SUPREMELY CONFIDENT that I could find work again when I needed to. What a JOKE.) I have a car that's older than dirt, a child who I raise myself, a parent with cancer and no money in the bank. My child and I live hand to mouth. Buy a bus ticket? You'd just as soon urge me to charter a private plane--BOTH are so far out of my financial picture.

Is my monthly INTERNET fee the cause of my problems? Not hardly. I use my internet to hunt for jobs. I use my computer to print resumes and compose cover letters. Do I do other things with it? Of course I do. But that HARDLY means that I am sitting round all day waiting for a handout.

Guy who moved away (and Burbs of Oscoda): Even though you are sooooo damn judgmental, I hope to hell something like this never happens to you or any that you love.

[the guy who moved away]

Cry all you want for the bleeding hearts in Michigan. The fact remains that people are bitching because a company isn't hand feeding them the necessary skills to fill a job. They're providing the training and the jobs, but god forbid they don't provide transportation to and from that training, or the cost of room and board while at that training. People seem to forget that "they" are the ones trying to get a job with the company. So if they need a job so bad, they should take some action and do what it takes to get that job.

High paying jobs don't come without sacrifice. So instead of feeling sorry for yourself, and sitting on the internet all day, get out of the house and make an attempt to find a job.

[Burbs Of Oscoda]

If you are looking for excuses, they are easy to find but most of the time you have to give up something to get something. I'm still paying student loans from 20 years ago. Because I chose to live in the Oscoda Area, I don't make the big bucks like most of my college friends - choice. I just go to work every day and do my best to pay my bills.

I've worked two jobs, anything from flipping burgers at McDonalds and busing tables at Big Boy to working retail and bookkeeping for a company here in town.

If you want a better life for you and your children, stop making excuses, swallow your pride and go find a job, they may not be great jobs but pride makes ground beef dinners taste much better when you don't pay for them with a bridge card.

[Ziggy]

To those of you who keep saying 'GO GET A JOB'!!!! THERE ARE NO JOBS TO GET!!! I know of at least 15 people who are at the same places weekly asking about the applications that they have submitted. They have inquired about the apps for so long and so often, that the places of business are getting short with them and tired of telling them that they are not hiring. That tops insult upon injury.'The Guy Who Moved Away'??? You don't live here anymore. How can you sit over there in Arizona and tell these people what to do and how to do it, when you no longer know the situations here? And if you are so almighty sanctus, why don't you give some concerned intellegent advice instead of condeming and damning our fine citizens. And further more, if you were all that knowledgeable about food stamps and welfare, you would know that those things aren't just handed out to just anyone anymore. There are qualifications and things you have to do and requirements you have to fulfill now. If someone is going to sit in a 'work first' office for 20 - 40 hours a week to draw a pittance of a welfare check, don't you think they would much rather be at a job collecting at least $7 or $8 an hour? Come on!!

[FHC2008]

Great post Ziggy! I'm a single parent who is very fortunate to be able to pay the monthly bills. I do know of many other fine people who are not that fortunate; not because they don't work but because they are considered the "working poor". It's too easy to sit behind a computer screen and criticize others for their lifestyle and what is felt as a lack of intiative. No one can decently feed and clothe a family on minimum wage. Further, Kalitta should not be considered the savior for this town. We did it once when the airbase was in operation; you would think we had learned our lesson.