'The money is there. Spend it on Newport city centre'
The Argus has outlasted all of its local predecessors such as the Star of Gwent and Monmouthshire Merlin (which itself dated back to 1829).
My first ever job in Newport came at 14, when I delivered copies of the South Wales Argus on a newspaper round in Malpas.
Regular readers of my online blogging page called 'The Pointy Finger' will know I take a no-nonsense approach to life.
I will always tell it how it is. So where to start?
The news broke last month which claimed Newport has the highest number of empty vacant shop units of any town or city in the UK. Make no mistake, it is truly disheartening to see such statistics.
In its latest bid to turnaround the fortunes of our ailing city centre, Newport Council has launched a new 'Placemaking Plan'.
This plan includes the installation of fairy lights, festoon lights or lamps.
They are planning to put market stalls on the riverfront by the Wave. There will be designated points for buskers and street performers. More colourful murals and happy hoardings.
We shall see a walking route-map and a 'brand logo' for the city centre.
They will even build a new playground for young children.
It all sounds great, but it does somewhat remind me of something you'd see at a giant funfair, theme-park or festival.
Where's the 'heavy investment' in terms of regenerating Commercial Street, Charles Street and the High Street?
How about new granite street paving? Open green spaces with trees, shrubbery and flowers? Sculptured kerbstones around alfresco seating areas? New street furniture? Upgraded Victorian-styled lampposts? Recycling litter bins? Public toilets? New telephone boxes or hubs? Free parking incentives? I could go on.
Other councils are literally spending millions of pounds on regenerating 'the basics' in their city centres.
Look at Wind Street in Swansea where £3 million has been spent on upgrading the area with new street paving, open green spaces, new seating, outdoor dining areas, improved lighting, and pedestrian-priority features.
In Cardiff, £2.2 million was spent on upgrading St Mary's Street.
Yet in Newport? We are focusing on quick-wins like fairy lights, market stalls and buskers? Quite frankly, it's not good enough.
Newport Council really needs to up its game. There are no excuses.
The council had a £10.67 million 'underspend' last year. Maybe, invest that spare cash on properly upgrading Newport's city centre. The money is there. Spend it.
Michael Enea is a Conservative campaigner and blogger
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