Scranton (Pittsburgh, Wilkes-Barre, Pittston: 2010, lofts, condo)

[ScranBarre]

Is it just me or is there an overwhelming amount of negativity now on this forum regarding our region's largest city? Scranton may not be perfect and it most certainly has its shortcomings (especially politically), but overall as I near the time when I'll be relocating for greener economic pastures I can honestly say that tears well up in my eyes to think of a time in my life when I'll no longer see the Electric City sign lit up at night, take the coal mine tour, watch the televised city council meetings, or tell people that I'm from the same place that Sen. Clinton, Sen. Biden, and "The Office" originated from. People like weluvpa have very valid reasons for being so disgusted with the state of the city after being ignored by the political administration for numerous years, but now that I, the forum's formerly overzealous Scranton cheerleader, will be joining my college peers in the mass exodus into the BosWash Corridor, what will become of this city's online image if there's nobody left to counterbalance the negativity spewed forth by everyone else? Blip is always upbeat about the city (likely because she's still so new to the area), but even Go Phillies has been seemingly increasingly unhappy with the city more and more as of late. ScrantonLuna doesn't post as often as he used to, and I think Dan has succeeded in scaring off to570717. Is saving Scranton really a lost cause in everyone's eyes?

You can't save a city that doesn't wish to be saved. Are lofts, galleries, and espresso bars the key to an urban renaissance? No. Are they a start? Yes. The "trendier" Downtown Scranton looks to the thousands of daily visitors who come into the city's core to work, attend class, shop, dine, etc., the more likely it will be to be seen as an "up-and-comer" worthy of moving to. Pittsburgh's Strip District or Loring Park in Minneapolis, both of which are now teeming with yuppies and have been successfully gentrified, are perfect examples of what I'd like to see happen on a smaller scale in Downtown Scranton. The Hill Section could become Scranton's LGBT mecca due to its proximity to downtown and the universities. South Side could become a haven for Latinos. Green Ridge could have itself designated as a historic district and promote heritage tourism. West Side could reinvent its downtown business district with a new streetscape program (period lighting, benches, underground utilities, trees, etc.) and become an attractive place to stroll in the evenings. I love this city, and I'll be damned if I see from afar its very own residents wishing harm to befall it!

So what can we do? Dan can blame the mayor as much as he wants, but in 2009 it is a real possibility that he will no longer be at the helm. If that is the case then everyone can't blame all that ails them on "da mayor." In 2010 there can be NO excuses. Wilkes-Barreans no longer blame their ills on ex-Mayor McGroarty and are stomaching their proposed $70 annual tax increase pretty well because most see that progress IS being made in their city with each passing month. Scrantonians don't blame their ailments on ex-Mayor Connors, nor should they be blaming their problems on ex-Mayor Doherty in the coming years. Too many in Scranton are stuck in the past with their "woe is us" mindsets. When your political ball-and-chain is cut off in late-2009, then what will you all complain about? Pittston looks like Baghdad and possibly has more drug users per capita than any other community in our area (save perhaps for Edwardsville). Nevertheless the people here in Tomato Town are resilient. We don't whine incessantly. We don't blame everyone else for what ails us. Is it paying off? Yes. In 2009 Downtown Pittston will look phenomenal with its finished streetscape project, new condo towers, new business ventures, etc. There are now TRAFFIC JAMS on a frequent basis at rush-hour along Highway 315 @ Oak Street for the first time in our community's history due to the rapid growth here. Things couldn't stay awful in Pittston forever, and we knew it.

A number of you will probably say "good riddance" when I'm working and living elsewhere, but can you honestly say to me that it wasn't nice to have some hope for a better tomorrow in Scranton for a change instead of only grimacing over the city's maladies? Let's see the positive impact the rants of weluvpa, NYRangers2008, John From Scranton, and all of these other "city boosters" have upon anyone who wishes to move their family to Scranton. If I were pondering moving to Scranton and heard "moving here would be a fate worse than death" from a half-dozen people, I would NOT do it! You think you're all doing these people a favor, but you really have NO reason to complain then by repelling potential new residents (and TAX PAYERS!)

What is the point of this rant? I honestly have no idea. I'm just trying to come to terms with the fact that eight months from now I will very likely be gone for good, following the footsteps of so many of my peers before me. I just fear that without me hanging around the NEPA sub-forum this will disintegrate into "DohertyDeceit II!"

[The Bad Guy]

I left 3 years ago, and whenever I visit, I never want to go back to Virginia.

Scranton is home for me. It's where I learned to do everything in life. I like the fact that I know everyone else. I like that I know where everything is. I like that I can visit every member of my family and only have to drive around at most 20 minutes to get to their houses. I'm a small town guy, who likes the occasional day in a big city.

I'll be moving back in July. My wife is due in June, so we will be raising our family in NEPA. I'm proud to say I'm from NEPA, even though some people view it as some plague. Hopefully some things do clean up so my kids can be proud to call it their home too.

The one thing that has to change is the opportunities in the area. I'm not talking about more jobs specifically (although they'd be nice), I'm talking about equal opportunity for those jobs. There are far too many qualified people in a ton of fields leaving NEPA because they don't have a connection for a job. Jobs need to start going to the qualified and not the people who just "know someone to get them in."

[NYRangers 2008]

Paul, I would never say good riddance to you. I would say "good for you that you found a better place to live and greener pastures. We say that stuff about Scranton because it's the truth and want to warn people about all of the shortcomings of the city. People should know what they're getting into before hand. Like I said before, I wish Scranton could be all those things you want it to be, but I just don't see it happening anytime soon. When Doherty is gone, hopefully soon, it will take years for the next administration to reverse everything bad he has done to this city for the past 8 years. This is the reality of the state of Scranton. There aren't rose-colored glassed strong enough to think otherwise. It's always nice to have hope for anything, but when it comes to Scranton my hope and caring is gone.

[scrantonluna]

Paul, I think you know what my opinion is. What you have to keep in mind is that c-d is not the end-all, be-all of Scranton. You're right in the fact that I have not been posting as much as of late, the reason being that I have been working hard and doing my part to make the city better. I don't advertise everything I do on here, it doesn't need to go through the ringer. As long as people like me and you are still out there, and we are out there, the city will continue to grow and improve. This doesn't mean you have to be a cheerleader for the Chamber of Commerce, it may simply be that you live in a respectful manner, keep your yard neat and presentable, stay informed about local issues, and be a good neighbor.

Since it seems as though you will be investing yourself elsewhere for at least a few years, I will wish you good luck. Let me know when you return and we will get you involved.

[weluvpa]

Paul Lets just wait and see where you are in 8 months ok buddy.

Luna....Writing campaign checks to Doherty isn't helping.

[scrantonluna]

Originally Posted by weluvpa

Paul Lets just wait and see where you are in 8 months ok buddy.

Luna....Writing campaign checks to Doherty isn't helping.

Paul, do yourself a favor and get out of here for a while. Who couldn't use a little time away from this? Enjoy CT.

[weluvpa]

Nice job on the pavillion there Luna....The questions about pavers make sense now....Nay Aug is awesome.......Maybe everyone that loses their home in the city this winter can stay up there in the treehouse and pavillion.

This is not the first time Paul has gone on about moving out of the area and it won't be the last....Currently its CT but that will probably change, it always does.

[scrantonluna]

Originally Posted by weluvpa

Nice job on the pavillion there Luna....The questions about pavers make sense now....Nay Aug is awesome.......Maybe everyone that loses their home in the city this winter can stay up there in the treehouse and pavillion.

I was not involved with the pavillion, but I was there last week at the ribbon cutting to wish it well. Be nice and maybe I'll get you a flood siren.

[NYRangers 2008]

Originally Posted by scrantonluna

I was not involved with the pavillion, but I was there last week at the ribbon cutting to wish it well. Be nice and maybe I'll get you a flood siren.

Dan, shouldn't have to beg or be nice to get a flood siren. It should be provided for public safety.

[weluvpa]

Originally Posted by scrantonluna

I was not involved with the pavillion, but I was there last week at the ribbon cutting to wish it well. Be nice and maybe I'll get you a flood siren.

Gee Thanks and then maybe you could get me a wool sweater after your done being sheared.....Sheep.

The economy is tanking, the city is in waayyyy over its head in debt, residents are in a mass exodus, housing surplus is at an all time high, violent crime is on a huge increase, police and fire contracts still not settled, streets crumbling and what?

Doherty is cutting ribbons, where? Nay Aug of course it makes sense right, its an election year....

MY PRIDE IS RESTORED!!!!