One Thing to Change About Scranton (Washington, Pittston: Valentine's day, houses, construction)

[FightinPhils]

Originally Posted by skijmpr

Yes, they should have done this before they went and built those Montage Mtn. stores, but again it's too late for that now. The only other possibility is to try and renovate the Steamtown Mall to turn it "inside out" so that some of the stores have street-side entrances, but that's probably not likely to happen.



Where? The Viewmont Mall? Wal-Mart?

The Viewmont Mall and Wal-Mart? No, when he was referring to a city outside of the downtown, he was referring to the neighborhoods...West Side, South Side, Green Ridge, North Scranton, etc etc. If the city focuses on the neighborhoods and keeping current residents here, the downtown will thrive as a result. Dumping money into KOZs and downtown development before focusing on the residents, the people who pay the taxes, is putting the cart before the horse. And we see so far where that mentality gets us.

As far as your other point about turning the Steamtown Mall "inside out," that is a good idea. I believe they are in the process of doing just that with the Lehigh Valley Mall in Allentown. Turning it more into a "lifestyle center" similar to Montage. This is because indoor malls are a thing of the past, a relic of the 60s and 70s. I can count all the times I go to indoor malls in a year on one hand, easily. People just don't go to malls like they used to. Another possibility for the Mall at Steamtown would be to turn it into a mix of shops, restaurants, and offices...similar to Strawberry Square in Harrisburg.

But in reality, as far as taxpayer money goes....they need to invest in the neighborhoods first and reducing the tax burden on residents. This in turn will keep the population steady, increase the tax base, and that will create a demand for more businesses, which will eventually revitalize the downtown and business districts on its own.

[CHS89]

You don't understand the disdain?....

Yeah, yeah, whatever. It's built. It's not like it can be dismantled and refunds issued. It's there, it looks nice, and it's enjoyed by many. The rest just need to deal with it already instead of continuing to cry over this spilled milk.

[weluvpa]

Originally Posted by skijmpr

If you are unhappy with something in your city then why not work to do something about it? Have you ever gone and talked to the Council about your concerns or ideas for the city?

You have no idea..................

[loveinbloom]

"...I think Doherty has mastered the old "Irish diplomacy": The ability to tell a man to go to hell so that he actually looks forward to the trip." ...

Cracking up reading that line...iT IS SOTRUE

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by CHS89

Yeah, yeah, whatever. It's built. It's not like it can be dismantled and refunds issued. It's there, it looks nice, and it's enjoyed by many. The rest just need to deal with it already instead of continuing to cry over this spilled milk.

I must agree. It might not have been the most efficient way to spend that money when there are so many other issues that could have been addressed, but what's done is done.

[FightinPhils]

Originally Posted by SWB

I must agree. It might not have been the most efficient way to spend that money when there are so many other issues that could have been addressed, but what's done is done.

But at least maybe by complaining and getting people to think about how their money has been spent, may prevent this sort of waste in the future....maybe it will get people to understand that we need new blood in Scranton government instead of the same old status quo.

By sticking our heads in the sand and just accepting things the way they are will just lead to more rape of the taxpayers and the further decline of our city. For all the issues we can debate about being major issues and problems today, the #1 problem at the root of everything is APATHY. If people started to become informed voters, rather than accepting who the media pushes them to vote for, then maybe this country, state, county, and city wouldn't be in the shape its in.

[CHS89]

So that having been said, why is it apparently so impossible to make the best out of a bad situation? You can only unscrew a lightbulb, but in the meantime, at least you have something to read by.

Yeah, maybe the money could have been better spent elsewhere. No, I'm not expecting everyone to embrace the bridge and take their kids there every weekend, but is it so difficult to stop with the "bridge to nowhere" crap already? It's like a fart in a car.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by CHS89

It's like a fart in a car.

DAMN YOU! I just spit my apple juice out all over the place!

[NYRangers 2008]

Originally Posted by CHS89

So that having been said, why is it apparently so impossible to make the best out of a bad situation? You can only unscrew a lightbulb, but in the meantime, at least you have something to read by.

Yeah, maybe the money could have been better spent elsewhere. No, I'm not expecting everyone to embrace the bridge and take their kids there every weekend, but is it so difficult to stop with the "bridge to nowhere" crap already? It's like a fart in a car.

It would be one thing if that's the only thing money was wasted on. There's so much spending on silly things, that as the list gets longer, so does the disdain.

[CHS89]

You've completely missed the point again.

Yes, the money's already spent. We got what we got. No refunds. No one said you have to love it. Some people, believe it or not, actually enjoy the bridge for what it is and aren't really concerned with the price tag. That's just the way it is. Deal with it, and move on. Try and influence the future instead of dwelling on something that you have zero control over. What has already been done has already been done, and no amount of mock and ridicule is going to change it.