Published: July 19, 2008 12:06 am         

It’s time to help our friends at Monaco

Thursday was a bad day in Elkhart County.

About 1,400 of our friends and neighbors at Monaco Coach were told they will lose their jobs by mid-September. We are sure that at the three Monaco factories there were a lot of tears shed and talk of fear of the future without jobs. But what should never be forgotten is that by working together our Elkhart County communities and families can overcome this setback.



We say “setback” because the history of our county has shown us that mass layoffs in the recreational vehicle industry can be overcome. During the last major recession the RV industry was hit very hard. Yet, with time, demand was rebuilt and the RV industry became the driving economic force in Elkhart County.

This time around it is not a “national malaise,” (as President Reagan characterized that recession) that is slowing the economy. The reason for this slowdown is a combination of the lack of sound financial practices by the mortgage industry coupled with rapidly rising gasoline prices due to increasing demand. The workers at Monaco Coach cannot control those factors. But these good people are paying for others’ mistakes.



In a few days the shock of Monaco’s announcement will wear off. Then it will be up to Elkhart County residents to prepare for that mid-September date when Monaco Coach will end production at three plants. We shouldn’t be idle for those two months. The work has to begin quickly to begin helping our friends at Monaco. Churches, civic groups, business owners and individuals should begin their aid drives now.

If we pull together in our efforts to help these 1,400 people, we can ease their suffering and their financial hardships.

The layoff is coming. We need to get busy.