Venango Republic Recieves Backlash For Reporting How Things Are

Recently, an anonymous subscriber shared one of our articles to a Venango County group. The admins of the group were gracious to aprove the post our fan submitted, which means, they either didn't read the article, or know how to take a joke.

It wasn't long after that disgruntled residents voiced their disapproval of the article. One objector commented "Instead of focusing on the negative, let's highlight the many successes of Venango county and the dedication of its people. Not funny just plain rude Yours truly. Scrappy Joe."

We here at the Venango Republic agree entirely with Scrappy Joe's comment. We want nothing more than to highlight the "many successes of Venango County." The problem is, there aren't any...

By the way... If you think "Scrappy Joe" is a name we made up to avoid a defamation lawsuit, here's a picture proving someone actually said this.

Another commenter also voiced their disapproval because they didn't get the memo that freedom of the press exists. The commenter, who we will refer to as Karen Godless of The Underworld, stated in her comment "what a awful story so rude, so dismissive, such trash. - would never read an article published by them again. the "humor" wasn't funny it was just sad."

It's ok Godless of The Underworld. You don't have to read our content. We'll just publish what you say and others can read about you instead.

As it pertains to Scrappy Joes comment, we would love nothing more than to stop highlighting the negative things that scar Venango Counties reputation. Unfortunately, people have been trying to highlight the few (and I mean VERY FEW) positive things about the county for nearly three decades. The very fact that your local Subway, PNC Bank, and Pizza Hut, which were all on the same Seneca Street stretch, have left Oil City in less than 7 years of eachother should be a clear insight that your enthusiastic approach is not working. Mind you, the same stretch of Street also lost a parking garage roughly a decade ago because the City couldn't afford to hold it together.

These are not insults. These are just hysterical facts. Oil Cities decrepit state is something we here at the Venango Republic would love to see turned around. Unfortunately, it seems the only way to accomplish this is to make fun of the local denial we are observing in people like ScrappyJoe. Telling outside entrepreneurs "we used to have industry" isn't going to bring people back. If you find that statement offensive, don't watch Jimmy Carr or Family Guy. We don't want to see you die of a heart attack.

About the only part of Venango County worthy of respect is Franklin. Despite being small and isolated, nobody there is pretending they live in a thriving community. Plus, unlike Oil City, they actually retain businesses you would not expect to see there.

For instance, there is a guitar store that has been in business for more than 4 years. And it's not the only music store in town! They also have a variety of several restaurants. Unlike Oil city that has only one, along with a bunch of sketchy bars that look like meth labs.

What makes Franklin so great is that they put in an effort to attract businesses. They do this without acting like they're the biggest thing since rubber gloves. Franklin just exists and accepts the fact they're never gonna be what they were. That's probably why we practically never make fun of them. When businesses close in Franklin, they do what they can to replace them. Unlike Oil City, who let's buildings stand desolate while investing public funds in Christmas lights for the bridge and a fountain that doesn't attract tourists. Oh! And don't forget plaques around town that inform people that industry used to be here!

What's holding Oil City back is people like Scrappy Joe and his accompliss Karen Godless of The Underworld. If we can get people like them to see that recognizing a problem is not offensive, that people like the Venango Republic have the right to speak, and that problems like them have the right to remain silent, then maybe Oil City can find a better thing to boast in than the fact that "we used to be great." I doubt it, but we are trying. At least with our satire, the Venango Republic makes the county sound interesting to outsiders. We joke about our deficiencies, and outsiders will eventually be curious to check us out. That's a more genuine approach than acting like you're great because your town used to be great.

It goes without saying that Oil City will never be what it was unless Elon Musk decides to give us 2 percent of his paycheck. However, this doesn't mean Oil City can't resolve the extreme welfare problem. No, I'm not judging people for being on welfare. I am judging the town for investing in fountains rather than business.

There are a lot of good people in Oil City. Many of them share this view that Oil City is not the biggest thing since dialup internet. They like the community, but are not too self absorbed to admit the story of decline is comedy gold. Many people would like to see interesting businesses other than "Martha's Hand Made Coasters" come to town. Craft stores are nice, but when that's literally all you have, your efforts to attract tourists are unjustified. Just quit while you're behind. If that's the kind of town you want to be, then fine. But stop making what you used to be such a big deal because you're not impressing anyone. Oil Heritage Fest is counterintuitive because your town inherited nothing. The oil dried up and your ancestors left... Not something to brag about...