What are you going to do about it?

Nothing heats up our "Last Word" blog like a debate on what our city needs to do to attract and retain young professionals.

Our guest columnist/blogger last week, Victoria, offered her take on the situation and said if things don't get better, she'd head to greener pastures. Here is an excerpt:

I love this city, and I would love to stay here for the rest of my life; however, the direction this city is going in, or perhaps staying in, is not the direction that I want for my life. I hope this city makes some major changes soon. If not, thousands of young professionals like myself will be headed elsewhere.

The responses - 40 and counting - range from whole-hearted agreement to fierce rebuttals. Some examples:

• Kudos to you Victoria! That place is messed up! I took my tax dollars and moved far away. Cincinnati will never change. It's perfectly happy in its dysfunctional state.

• Negative thinking about Cincinnati happens because people live in a tiny little bubble and don't get their ass out there often enough. There's plenty of things a "YP" can do around here.

So what do I think? Glad you asked.

I left town shortly after college for a job and had no remorse. I didn't think there was a lot here I would miss.

Nine years later I returned - with some much-needed perspective and a greater appreciation for everything our community has to offer. Part of my epiphany was getting involved with CiN Weekly, which gave me a hands-on look at the diverse and rich cultural opportunities we should enjoy, but too often ignore.

Yes, we have crime. Yes, our downtown needs some work. And don't get me started on that mud pit between the stadiums. The issues are complex. But one solution starts with a very simple question: What are you doing?

Get out. See for yourself what your hometown has to offer. Explore. Every week, CiN Weekly offers all kinds of suggestions, such as this week's cover story on farmer's markets.

Finally, take part in the discussion. We're always looking for more "Last Word" submissions like Victoria's. Maybe you will be the next person who sets our blog ablaze with comments.