Factory Town Blues

To view in higher quality click here:
http://www.kimfischeronline.com/Site/Videos/Videos.html

Crystal City, Missouri is a small town on the Mississippi River struggling with issues of identity, tough economic times, and environmental accountability.

The factory that built the town 132 years ago moved out almost twenty years ago, but the residents still talk about it like it happened yesterday.

This report was prepared as an entry for the second round of the Project Report journalism contest sponsored by the Pulitzer Center, Sony, & Intel. Visit the Project Report Channel to see all 10 round two entries.

http://www.youtube.com/user/projectreport

Also, see my round one entry here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK4PRHyIz-M

Thanks to all the Crystal City residents who gave so graciously of their time to help me complete this project.

The soundtrack is "The Open Plains" from http://www.freeplaymusic.com/
along with the CCHS marching band.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Missouri
• Jefferson
• County
• economy
• environment
• smelter
• green
• project
• report
• Kim
• Fischer
• journalism
• controversy
• unemployment
• brownfield
• pollution
• small
• town

[aurapet]

I haven't watched this video in 11 months and it gave me the same feeling watching it again.

You're able to capture that moment, that feeling, that time which is truly motivating for other to act upon.

I have a feeling your creating documentaries full time and you should be.

I really think you are doing good work & I hope it continues.

[DoGoodWork]

Thanks. I needed to hear that.

[richprince78]

DGW -

While I appreciate Stephen's point, I think your video's story and presentation were right on. In my humble opinion, the story encapsulates what many small towns throughout America are currently undergoing. In short, the story is the struggle for survival of a small time and what people are willing to compromise for that survival. Excellent on all counts and good luck.

I really was quite amazed with all of the submissions.

Cheers

-Rich

[DoGoodWork]

Thanks. It's reassuring to know the message came through. I think this is an issue confronting communities all over the world. We are fortunate in the U.S. to have the luxury and opportunity to debate what industry is built next door to our homes.

[stepheneferry]

Starts off well, but bogs down. If the debate is between jobs and environmental concerns that shoudl be made more clear at the beginning. Visually routing.

[DoGoodWork]

Thanks for your comments.  Not sure what you mean by "visually routing."

[vanessatolino]

This is ASTONISHINGLY beautiful! Amazing work. Well done.

[buttdagger]

Well I'm sure they can find a nice town in China for the smelter.

[longfootbuddy]

theres chunks of glass all over the ground there at the old ppg site..when i was a kid, i used to pretend they were rocks from the planet krypton, and i was superman

[slimya]

that smelter is gonna be someones new job so close to home  thats gonna give their family a a damn chance - a new car or a new home christmas presents under the tree and shit and for that butt dagger to say send it to china I hope u get hit in the head with a big rock

[slimya]

give it to the chinese go screww ur self

[akaLops444]

lm,ao yea . hahaha

[danianjan]

Jobs are easier to find in ND right now.

[CharTres1717]

Never before has our country been in such a mess. We are in more trouble; depression wise" than my grandparents during their depression. We have too many things stacked against us. 1) the war. 2) bad housing market. 3) greedy and crooked stock market 4) not only loss of the big 3; but all types of manufacturing & businesses in U.S.(NAFTA or just greed)??

Forget about getting a loan for a new car.