need to add title here

A Town In Crisis

February 6, 2009 2:27 PM

The town of Wilmington, Ohio has been devastated by the economic crisis and, as Scott Pelley reports, DHL, the town's largest employer, is shutting its domestic operation.

Recent Segments
Scroll Left Scroll Right
Add a Comment See all 69 Comments
by te476 July 22, 2009 6:59 PM EDT
After watching this video about lay off,s in Wilmington Ohio it hits home just how worse off someone else can be besides yourself. My heart goes out too the people of Wilmington I know how you feel.

I was laid off myself here in the UK back in late February 2009. After being put on a 20 hr week for over a month,Being 54 yrs old and at the time of awaiting a spinal operation trying to hold on to your job its a kick in the teeth when laid off...Pull together dont give up hope theres a saying here in England,(Things can only get better)I have always beleived that there is always light at the end of any tunnel.
Reply to this comment
by ruppertknickerbocker March 6, 2009 8:46 AM EST
Instead of all these multi millionaire jet-setter politicians maybe we need some blue collar people in charge.
Reply to this comment
by cntrygal05 February 27, 2009 1:00 PM EST
I know the thomas family and i can tell you they did not pay for her sons school the government did he and he dropped out because he didn't want to go and he hated it! Unbelievable! I think that she shouldn't have said that because its not true and it aggravates me because i couldn't get help and i work full time and go to school full time. I love school and he got it for free and dropped out. I think they should look into there stories more before reporting them!
Reply to this comment
by chrisym-2009 January 28, 2009 9:13 PM EST
Let''s put perspective where we can. I am a native of Ohio and lived there until 33 yrs old. My mother worked at Airborne Express, along with my sister for years. Now I know one thing in this world of reality that we all keep forgetting. We are not "entitled" to anything. We know that the orporate world has no loyalty in this day and age. This isn''t just about DHL or Wilmington. I have been in the corporate world for 20 yrs, and was laid off at 2 different jobs and recently my job was taken while I was on disability, forcing me into full time disability. In April 2000, I was forced to leave Ohio for a job in Houston,Tx as I could not find work for 3 months in Ohio or surrounding states. I was a single female, with NO DEGREE, and owned a house. I never wanted to leave my family but I did what I had to do. Surprisingly enough now after losing my 3rd job in 20 yrs, I AM MOVING BACK TO WILMINGTON, OH to be near my family. My heart goes out to everyone who has been affected by the shutdown at DHL. However one thing I wrote on New Years Day 2009 in my journal, stated "change, change, change". I belive God has a plan for all those in Wilmington. We need to be creative and learn to overcome obstacles. If I can do it, anyone can....you just need to think outside the box, and don''t be afraid to work outside the confines of Clinton County/Wilmington, OH.
Reply to this comment
by wfudkon January 28, 2009 8:33 PM EST
I have seen a handful of posts asking about how to buy knives from Michael interviewed in this piece. I hunted and found via Google his website is http://www.omachearleycustomknives.com/
Reply to this comment
by ohioscrewed January 28, 2009 7:25 PM EST
I don''t know what your age is but if you''re in the 50-55+ range it''s hard to justify in this market if it''ll be worth the expense going back and getting another/different degree. So I''ll get my degree when I''m 55 . Wow, I bet companies will be salivating over hiring this guy.."Heh, this guy would be great! We can train him and Oh, *** in about 5 years he''ll be thinking of retirement" And don''t tell me companies don''t discriminate. I''ve been involved in the hiring process with companies & have seen it many times over. Hell, that''s the age most companies start dumping people for younger, cheaper ones. My point is all my life the rallying cry has been from everyone " I''m going to get me a good job with a good company!" Well, you''ll be waiting until they close the coffin lid over you. That company doesn''t exist. They''re all like DHL...big boys get rich..everyone else gets screwed. But if you do find that mythical company please tell me where it is. My guess it''s right next to Santa''s castle.
Reply to this comment
by ohioscrewed January 28, 2009 7:24 PM EST
Regarding the following: So can you say that you know for a fact that these people working in these lower level management jobs can''t do anything about it? And also your comment: "Student loan? With no ability to pay it back." I am in the midst of a college degree that I am paying for with student loans, you don''''t have to pay for until you graduate. It is called deferment. So, by the time I graduate, and I have a nice paying job." 1.)Most lower management people can''t effect any serious change...otherwise they & everyone else would still have their jobs. They take their marching orders like everyone else. 2.) Straight from CollegeGrad.com, the #1 Entry Level Job Site, today released its poll results on how many new college grads moved back home after graduation. Among 2008 college grad job seekers, 77% moved back home with their parents after graduation. This is up from 73% in 2007, College grads also seem to have high expectations for entry level jobs and salaries, and career experts voice concern over perhaps unrealistic expectations. Student loans, high rents, car payments, and more all point to a disconnect between the type of lifestyle that grads have come to expect, and the salaries they''ll receive. "Given current salary levels for many college grads, it would be very hard for many to make a go of it on their own," So if you graduate and get a great paying job then my hats off to you. But you''d be in the minority.
Reply to this comment
by ohioscrewed January 28, 2009 7:21 PM EST
rr_edge, My deepest apologies for painting you as a Bush stooge. It was just a educated guess since over 50% in this neck of the woods (Cinti) still believe he was one of our greatest Presidents.
Reply to this comment
by rr_edge January 28, 2009 4:04 PM EST
In reply to Ohio Screwed, I am a lifelong democrat. I think Bush should be arrested for violating constitutional rights. And the FACTS are that loans do exist for the ones who cannot afford to go to college. Stop blubering. And check your facts before you let your thoughts known. There is no good that will come of whining and crying. Get over it, get to work and, get on with life. And as I said DHL you can go now.
Reply to this comment
by needwork2 January 28, 2009 3:09 PM EST
Most DHL employees are contracted (75-80%) Most of us didnt get sevrence packages or any help when we got laid off. We didnt get help at having and opppertunity to have some one come in and help us into another trasition to another job. We worked for years, like myself, 8+ years with no holiday pay,no insurance,abd working on a salary.
Most people would ask why stay at a job with no benefits,etc?? Because we loved what we did.
So for you dhl employers that got all these benefits and comp time and other things stop the moaning and be glad what you got because because most in this company as contractors didnt jack ***!!!
Reply to this comment
by sbeth6 January 28, 2009 1:20 PM EST
Excuse me, Ohioscrewed, but did you ever work for ABX Air? So can you say that you know for a fact that these people working in these lower level management jobs can''t do anything about it? And also your comment: "Student loan? With no ability to pay it back." I am in the midst of a college degree that I am paying for with student loans, which are the kind of student loans that (surprise!) you don''t have to pay for until you graduate. It is called deferment. So, by the time I graduate, and I have a nice paying job...I can pay them back. Not to mention the student aid he would get from the government, especially if he was old enough to not include his parents on his FAFSA. I work two jobs that equal out to full time and sit in class until sometimes 10:00 at night. I pay my rent, car payment, insurance, phone, and other bills. I''m doing just fine. It
Reply to this comment
by sbeth6 January 28, 2009 1:20 PM EST
t takes a bit of work, sure, but I''m doing it. I''m pretty sure that if I can swing that, there are other people who can too. As for this comment, "It''s not like a College degree is now suddenly the golden ticket to lifetime employment. There are 100 of thousands with college degrees & advance degrees out of work." (100 of thousands? I''m assuming you meant hundreds of thousands...) This may have been true back when you graduated high school, but my experience with this situation is that those people who are out of a job with their college degree are the people who don''t look hard enough. And as for advanced degrees, well%u2026if you have one of those, you%u2019re definitely going to get paid enough to commute back and forth. The fact that you don%u2019t have a job could be due to your sheer laziness of not wanting to go further than a few miles from your house.
Reply to this comment
by sbeth6 January 28, 2009 1:18 PM EST
I know for a fact I''m qualified to do legal secretary work with my experience, yet I know that none of the big companies would hire me because I don''t have a degree yet. There are paralegals out there who do that would get the job over me, just because of that sheet of paper. And I have to add this: no, you aren''t going to find a whole lot of opportunity back in good ol%u2019 Clinton County with your college degree. But, just like you said -- take one look in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton or anywhere but Wilmington and you''ll find...wait, what is the word? Oh yeah, opportunity. I went to school with a boatload of people who would never look outside the realm of Clinton County and surrounding area to get a job, and are therefore stuck there with their college degree in hand, and nothing to show for it. And they complain about it, and they moan and cry because they paid $40,000 for a degree and have nothing to show. My guess is that you are talking to people like this. And yes, some of these people are living in homes around this area but%u2026find yourself a good paying job in one of those cities and commuting shouldn%u2019t be too big of a problem, especially with these lovely lower gas prices. I drive back and forth from Columbus at least three times a week, on top of my already crazy schedule, and even with me being a lowly college student the drive hasn%u2019t affected my bank account that much. And no, my parents don%u2019t give me money for it.
Reply to this comment
by sbeth6 January 28, 2009 1:17 PM EST
I really do feel for these people over the loss of their jobs, and the months ahead that they are going to face trying to look for jobs, pay for bills, keep food on the table and everything else that comes along with this. I am in hopes that there will be some kind of relief in store for them from the government, and that Wilmington will be prosperous and bustling like it always was when I was growing up. Perhaps the segment aired on national television will shed some light on the town, and get more people involved with helping take care of this devastating situation. Oh and by the way %u2013 a resident of a mostly Republican state voting for Bush twice? No way! Also, quotation marks aren%u2019t the same thing as apostrophes%u2026just an FYI.
Reply to this comment
by ohioscrewed January 28, 2009 12:29 PM EST
rr-edge is a complete idiot. "If the lady''s son wants to go he can work for it." Work where? No one can find one job let alone two. Student loan? With no ability to pay it back. It''s not like a College degree is now suddenly the Golden ticket to lifetime employment. There are 100 of thousands with college degrees & advance degrees out of work. "I have other comments for the rest but to keep it short let me just say that if they were in management they did nothing to make it a better place to work." I love morons that say things like this. I have worked for several different companies over the last 30 years and I have yet to see anyone below the very top level of executive management with any ability whatsoever to enact any sort of meaningful change within an organization. It''s usually "Here''s what your going to do or you''ll be seeking employment elsewhere." I guess these whiners could look for jobs elsewhere in other cities. "Oh, wait, I imagine most own homes. They should have no problem selling them in this robust housing market right? Moron. My guess is you''re one of the many Ohio buffoons that voted for Bush twice. Probably drink the Kool-Aid dispensed daily by Hannity & Limbaugh. They are able to convince you that it''s a good thing to screw yourself.
Reply to this comment
by voices2009 January 27, 2009 10:01 PM EST
I am working on a multi-media journalism project with Ohio State University and The Times-Gazette in Hillsboro, focusing on what will happens to the fabric of these communities as they face economic devastation. Anyone who is interested in sharing their stories can contact me at southernohiovoices@gmail.com.
Reply to this comment
by rr_edge January 27, 2009 8:04 PM EST
Please check out Mr David Barnets story on PBS wcpn.org/index.php/WCPN/highlight/15722/
Reply to this comment
by nnorindaca January 27, 2009 7:48 PM EST
My heart goes out to Ohioans; I live in Cin, Ohio for over 15 yrs. My prayers to you, try to use your creative ideas, grow your own veg. for food, raise your own live stock, get rid of your lawn, do crafts and art for sale... pull you self up don''t wait for any one else come to aid since helps offend came too late. Use your vote wisely; our last president was not a smart leader, which send the country into the worst calamity.
Reply to this comment
by rr_edge January 27, 2009 7:39 PM EST
I think its time to stop the crying and whining. My daughter has gone to college for three years and has paid for it on her own. working two jobs to do it. Along with student loans. If the ladys son wants to go he can work for it. I have other comments for the rest but to keep it short let me just say that if they were in management they did nothing to make it a better place to work. I worked at ABX for twenty four years. I was laid off also. However I choose to pick myself up and Move On. DHL was losing money when our government let them purchase Airborne Express. They could not even manage the two percent market share they had. They then ran a formerly profitable buisiness into the ground. We all are paying the cost. But as I said, stop whining and move on. I dont believe that crying will pay the bills. We worked through the worst that the weather could bestow on us. We did a great job, we made alot of Airborne Express stockholders very rich. Just look at what we accomplished and be proud. Walk away with your head up. Tell DHL they can go now and move on proudly.
Reply to this comment
by positive71 January 27, 2009 6:33 PM EST
Wow-That anyone involved in this crisis could begrudge their neighbors good fortune in outrageous!
As a fellow ohioan I was proud to see that not everyone in wilmington is playing the blame game (which won''t end well for them) but is preparing to go forward as best they can! I hope CBS does more stories on these folks because they are the ones who deserve it!
Reply to this comment
See all 69 Comments
  • 60 Minutes, 11.22.09 60 Minutes, 11.22.09

    43:21 November 22, 2009

  • James Cameron's Avatar James Cameron's Avatar

    12:43 November 22, 2009

  • Maziar Bahari: Witness Maziar Bahari: Witness

    11:53 November 22, 2009

  • The Cost of Dying The Cost of Dying

    14:07 November 22, 2009

  • Web Extra: At Home, At Peace Web Extra: At Home, At Peace

    1:38 November 22, 2009

  • Web Extra: Comfort and Costs Web Extra: Comfort and Costs

    1:51 November 22, 2009