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God help Scranton! Perhaps God is the only one who can save us. What has happened to us as a city? Are there only a few of us who can see what is happening?
Scranton's priorities do not include parks, treehouses, refurbished Lackawanna Avenue, new and larger ballparks. These are nice to have items--sops given by the political class to those who kiss the hems of their garments. What does Scranton need? Scranton needs industry. Scranton needs jobs. Scranton needs capital investment. Scranoton most of all needs capital investment. I am talking about capital investment from private sources not government investment in the future of local political machines.
Let our history show us the way. The founders of our city exploited the natural resources of this valley. Their ideas, inovations, and hard work paved the way for an infusion into this area of capital from New York and Philadelphia. This capital investment brought about the development of the industries that placed Scranton on the map. The opportunity for profit encouraged men with vision, men with fortitude, men with faith in their abilities to take a chance on Scranton. Yes, these men made great profits. In turn, they made it possible for other men to accumulate capital and start large and small businesses of all types. These businesses employed thousands of people and brought prosperity to a rural Pennsylvania backwater.
There is no question about it. This city prospered for one reason--there were opportunities here to turn an investment into profit.
The founders of this city knew that they could not achieve success without outside help. They knew that they needed capital and that this capital could be most easily obtained in New York and Philadelphia. What did they have to offer to these tidewater entrepeneurs? They offered the vision of a potential industrial collosus, the determination to persevere in the face of adversity, the ability to gather like minded men around them, and the confidence in themselves that all they proposed was possible.
Their self confidence enabled the Scrantons et al to convince the Wall Street men, Phelps, Dodge, and foremost of all Moses Taylor, to provide the financing for the development of this area.
The influx of capital which these Wall Street men provided caused the building additional rolling mills, the steel works, the coal breakers, the railroads, and the myriad vendors and services to support them. Consequently, the rise of heavy industry demanded a population increase for labor in those industries and in those businesses dependent on heavy industry. Thus, was 19th century Scranton created, a city whose citizens who deemed little to be beyond their ability to accomplish.
However, 20th century Scranton became different. Gone were the men of vision, ability, and conquest and gone with them was the access to the capital of Wall Street. What did 20th century Scranton have to offer to investors--terrain decorated with the debris of the mining industry, an unskilled turbulent labor force, few natural resources, and no entrepeneurial spirit.
Unfortunately, Scranton had gone from the era of the inustrialist to the era of the politician. The 19th century brought to power the Scrantons, Connells et al, the 20th century brought us men like Mike Lawler and Jim Hanlon. No longer was power in the hands of the business leaders of the community. Instead, it had become concentrated in city hall, the county courthose, and Washington, DC. The number of hard working people in Scranton decreased. In their place, are those who are "connected", have political clout or are dependent on those who have clout. The desire to work hard, establish a business, and help the community prosper has been replaced with the desire to obtain a school teacher's position, a job with the county or state, or a contract with a government agency.
How low we have fallen. Corruption dominates political life, spiritual life is in disarray, and there is no real leadership in any facet of the community.
Because the population of this city has become dependent on the political class for almost everything, taxes have been raised to such an extent that businesses will no longer contemplate locating here. This situation is aggravated by the removal of multitudes of property from the tax rolls by the insatiable growth of tax exempt organizations.
In the 21st century, we see only more of the same. Politics as usual, labor problems as usual, corruption runnning rampant. Why do our children leave here? Undoubtedly, they see the generations of misery that have preceded them and have decided that they want none of the same. How long can this go on in Scranton? It is hard to tell--perhaps for a lot longer. However, one thing is certain, Scranton can not continue to exist as it is forever.
Our political leaders trumpet that Scranton has turned a corner, that our lives are becoming better, that our poulation is increasing. Take off the rose tinted glasses and wake up. Scranton has turned no corner, our lives are not getting better, and our population is not really increasing.
Who are they/we kidding? A new facade on Lackawanna Avenue does not mean Scranton has turned a corner. A new ball park does not mean our lives are getting any better. An influx of Mexican immigrants while the indigenous poulation decreases does not signal a trend in population increases.
Should anything be done to save Scranton? Can anything be done to save Scranton? The answer to both questions is yes.
Scranton should be saved for three reasons: the heritage bequeathed by our ancestors our pride in ourselves, and our hope for the future.
Our ancestors left their mark on this community. Their mark exists in the beauty of this valley, in the ruins of our industry, in the grime of the buildings they erected, in the pride of their homes, and in the joy of our houses of worship. For most, their life was not easy. For some, their life was short--trapped in mine voids under the city or killed in the myriad of colliery or iron mill accidents. For others, poverty was a constant companion. For many, raising a family was their only success. For a few, wealth and advantage were secured. Our ancestors left us their names, their homes, their businesses, and their faith. However, in all instances, they gave us their greatest gift--the gift of life. In respect to this heritage Scranton should be saved.
We need to restore our pride in ourselves. We are to blame for today's problems in this city. Why do we tolerate things that we know are wrong? We need to change the way we look at life. We need to set a good example for our children. If we set a high standard for ourselves, we will take pride in ourseles as good people. When we act as good people, we can change the way things are currently being done in our government and in our work. Envy of success is rampant in Scranton.. How often do we put down our friends, neighbors, or relatives who are more successful than we are. Change that attitude. Be thankful for their success and strive harder for your own success.
After generations of despair, hope for the future is difficult in Scranton. However, we must start now to make a future in this city for our children, and if not for our children, then for their children. When business leaders arise in our city, let us help them to build their businesses as places of employment for the future. For success begets success. Let us not say, "not in my neighborhood, not on my street." Today, negativity hangs over this city. Change is opposed strictly because it is change. Take an active part in the education process in this city. As a taxpayer you are entitled to examine the way the school district operates. Demand to know why the literacy rate in this city is dropping. The education of our children is crucial to their future. We can not sit on the sidelines and leave this responsibility to others.
What can be done to save Scranton: 1) the deveopment of real leaders in Scranton, the development of a plan to reindustrialize Scranton, and the development of a new attitude by the people of Scranton.
Scranton needs business leadership not political leadership We need leaders who are unafraid of risk and who can envision a different future for this city. The current generation of business leaders must mentor those who would them, inspire them with a desire to change the business model in Scranton, and encourage innovation and risk taking. If the Scranton brothers had stayed in Oxford, New Jersey, who knows what if anything would be here today.
Scranton needs a plan to reindustrialize this city, e.g., 1) what can be produced in Scranton, and 2) how can Scranton compete in today's world economy. This city is a transportation hub. Under the right conditions industry will locate here. Scranton did it once. Other places do it now. Scranton can do it again.
Scranton's population needs to develop a new attitude. This attitude must express a willingness to obtain the skills necessary for gainful employment, the willingness to work for a fair wage, the willingness to set aside a tradition of labor unrest, and the wilingness to put an end to the dependence political corruption that has dominated this area for over 100 years.
Without change, Scranton is lost. Without change, we as citizens have failed. Without change, there will be no hope. Without hope, God help Scranton.
Last edited by Spruce Streeter; 12-26-2009 at 02:33 PM..
OR you could just listen to all the naysayers who tell you to move away because you're not wanted in the city, as I did.
You are kidding right, you moved because strangers told you too...get out, you moved because you got a Fed career with ladder promos... If you did move because some people said they did not want you...that is just sad...
God help Scranton! Perhaps God is the only one who can save us. What has happened to us as a city? Are there only a few of us who can see what is happening?
Scranton's priorities do not include parks, treehouses, refurbished Lackawanna Avenue, new and larger ballparks. These are nice to have items--sops given by the political class to those who kiss the hems of their garments. What does Scranton need? Scranton needs industry. Scranton needs jobs. Scranton needs capital investment. Scranoton most of all needs capital investment. I am talking about capital investment from private sources not government investment in the future of local political machines.
Let our history show us the way. The founders of our city exploited the natural resources of this valley. Their ideas, inovations, and hard work paved the way for an infusion into this area of capital from New York and Philadelphia. This capital investment brought about the development of the industries that placed Scranton on the map. The opportunity for profit encouraged men with vision, men with fortitude, men with faith in their abilities to take a chance on Scranton. Yes, these men made great profits. In turn, they made it possible for other men to accumulate capital and start large and small businesses of all types. These businesses employed thousands of people and brought prosperity to a rural Pennsylvania backwater.
There is no question about it. This city prospered for one reason--there were opportunities here to turn an investment into profit.
The founders of this city knew that they could not achieve success without outside help. They knew that they needed capital and that this capital could be most easily obtained in New York and Philadelphia. What did they have to offer to these tidewater entrepeneurs? They offered the vision of a potential industrial collosus, the determination to persevere in the face of adversity, the ability to gather like minded men around them, and the confidence in themselves that all they proposed was possible.
Their self confidence enabled the Scrantons et al to convince the Wall Street men, Phelps, Dodge, and foremost of all Moses Taylor, to provide the financing for the development of this area.
The influx of capital which these Wall Street men provided caused the building additional rolling mills, the steel works, the coal breakers, the railroads, and the myriad vendors and services to support them. Consequently, the rise of heavy industry demanded a population increase for labor in those industries and in those businesses dependent on heavy industry. Thus, was 19th century Scranton created, a city whose citizens who deemed little to be beyond their ability to accomplish.
However, 20th century Scranton became different. Gone were the men of vision, ability, and conquest and gone with them was the access to the capital of Wall Street. What did 20th century Scranton have to offer to investors--terrain decorated with the debris of the mining industry, an unskilled turbulent labor force, few natural resources, and no entrepeneurial spirit.
Unfortunately, Scranton had gone from the era of the inustrialist to the era of the politician. The 19th century brought to power the Scrantons, Connells et al, the 20th century brought us men like Mike Lawler and Jim Hanlon. No longer was power in the hands of the business leaders of the community. Instead, it had become concentrated in city hall, the county courthose, and Washington, DC. The number of hard working people in Scranton decreased. In their place, are those who are "connected", have political clout or are dependent on those who have clout. The desire to work hard, establish a business, and help the community prosper has been replaced with the desire to obtain a school teacher's position, a job with the county or state, or a contract with a government agency.
How low we have fallen. Corruption dominates political life, spiritual life is in disarray, and there is no real leadership in any facet of the community.
Because the population of this city has become dependent on the political class for almost everything, taxes have been raised to such an extent that businesses will no longer contemplate locating here. This situation is aggravated by the removal of multitudes of property from the tax rolls by the insatiable growth of tax exempt organizations.
In the 21st century, we see only more of the same. Politics as usual, labor problems as usual, corruption runnning rampant. Why do our children leave here? Undoubtedly, they see the generations of misery that have preceded them and have decided that they want none of the same. How long can this go on in Scranton? It is hard to tell--perhaps for a lot longer. However, one thing is certain, Scranton can not continue to exist as it is forever.
Our political leaders trumpet that Scranton has turned a corner, that our lives are becoming better, that our poulation is increasing. Take off the rose tinted glasses and wake up. Scranton has turned no corner, our lives are not getting better, and our population is not really increasing.
Who are they/we kidding? A new facade on Lackawanna Avenue does not mean Scranton has turned a corner. A new ball park does not mean our lives are getting any better. An influx of Mexican immigrants while the indigenous poulation decreases does not signal a trend in population increases.
Should anything be done to save Scranton? Can anything be done to save Scranton? The answer to both questions is yes.
Scranton should be saved for three reasons: the heritage bequeathed by our ancestors our pride in ourselves, and our hope for the future.
Our ancestors left their mark on this community. Their mark exists in the beauty of this valley, in the ruins of our industry, in the grime of the buildings they erected, in the pride of their homes, and in the joy of our houses of worship. For most, their life was not easy. For some, their life was short--trapped in mine voids under the city or killed in the myriad of colliery or iron mill accidents. For others, poverty was a constant companion. For many, raising a family was their only success. For a few, wealth and advantage were secured. Our ancestors left us their names, their homes, their businesses, and their faith. However, in all instances, they gave us their greatest gift--the gift of life. In respect to this heritage Scranton should be saved.
We need to restore our pride in ourselves. We are to blame for today's problems in this city. Why do we tolerate things that we know are wrong? We need to change the way we look at life. We need to set a good example for our children. If we set a high standard for ourselves, we will take pride in ourseles as good people. When we act as good people, we can change the way things are currently being done in our government and in our work. Envy of success is rampant in Scranton.. How often do we put down our friends, neighbors, or relatives who are more successful than we are. Change that attitude. Be thankful for their success and strive harder for your own success.
After generations of despair, hope for the future is difficult in Scranton. However, we must start now to make a future in this city for our children, and if not for our children, then for their children. When business leaders arise in our city, let us help them to build their businesses as places of employment for the future. For success begets success. Let us not say, "not in my neighborhood, not on my street." Today, negativity hangs over this city. Change is opposed strictly because it is change. Take an active part in the education process in this city. As a taxpayer you are entitled to examine the way the school district operates. Demand to know why the literacy rate in this city is dropping. The education of our children is crucial to their future. We can not sit on the sidelines and leave this responsibility to others.
What can be done to save Scranton: 1) the deveopment of real leaders in Scranton, the development of a plan to reindustrialize Scranton, and the development of a new attitude by the people of Scranton.
Scranton needs business leadership not political leadership We need leaders who are unafraid of risk and who can envision a different future for this city. The current generation of business leaders must mentor those who would them, inspire them with a desire to change the business model in Scranton, and encourage innovation and risk taking. If the Scranton brothers had stayed in Oxford, New Jersey, who knows what if anything would be here today.
Scranton needs a plan to reindustrialize this city, e.g., 1) what can be produced in Scranton, and 2) how can Scranton compete in today's world economy. This city is a transportation hub. Under the right conditions industry will locate here. Scranton did it once. Other places do it now. Scranton can do it again.
Scranton's population needs to develop a new attitude. This attitude must express a willingness to obtain the skills necessary for gainful employment, the willingness to work for a fair wage, the willingness to set aside a tradition of labor unrest, and the wilingness to put an end to the dependence political corruption that has dominated this area for over 100 years.
Without change, Scranton is lost. Without change, we as citizens have failed. Without change, there will be no hope. Without hope, God help Scranton.
Unfortunatley, Scranton, just like Wilkes-Barre, Binghamton, Williamsport and hundreds of other smaller, rust belt cities have peeked in the nineteenth to mid-twentieth century. This region was built on the Anthracite coal industry. When people, industries, and railways stopped using coal as there primary fuel and switched to oil, gas, and other fuels, our region began it's slow decline, add to that the manufacturing and industrial jobs that were abundant during the industrial revolution have dried up, as well as the wealthy industrialist that have brought them here. This is a relatively poor area now, there is no money, and very few people with money that continue to reside here or invest here. America as a whole is losing manufacturing jobs at a record pace. We just experienced it long before the rest of the country did. There isn't an easy fix to the problem. My cousin lives in Miami, and he is a successful animater, and web page designer. I asked him why doesn't he move back home to W-B and start up a company here? He said he would love to, but the money isn't here. He said he can make three times the amount of money in a big city like Miami then he could here. He also said he has alot more clients, and big name well paying clients in a large metro area then he'd ever have here. That is just a microcausim of what we have to contend with. How do we convince people that could make alot more money somewhere else and have alot more buisness to boot to sacrifice all of that to move to cold, dreary, post industrail NEPA? It's not an easy sell, and 99% of the people that matter, that we want to move here will not sacrifice the good life for a mediocre life in NEPA. We don't have big clients, big companies, well paying jobs ect. Maybe we can bribe them to come here. That's something we are very good at here in NEPA.
OR you could just listen to all the naysayers who tell you to move away because you're not wanted in the city, as I did.
Come on Paul, you don't expect us to believe that you moved away because of all us naysayers. In fact, there were times that Dan, gophillies and myself challenged you to move here and try to make it a better place. You chose where you are because you were given a better opportunity in NOVA and anyone of us would have done the same thing given the same opportunity and none of us blame you one bit to get away from this stinking town.
That was a great post by Spruce Streeter, but really, do you think any of that stuff is going to happen here? Not enough of the residents here are pro-active enough, as evidenced by the council meetings.
How right you are regarding the population in Scranton. Our people are reactive not proactive. No one will stand up and say, "Enough" because they have not yet had enough.
People here are either fearful of the local political powers or wish to become a part of the "in crowd" and enjoy the largesse of being an insider. In Scranton, if citizens "cross the line" and criticize the "in crowd", they run the risk of being villified on the front page of the local newspaper, having their businesses and homes vandalized, having the tax assessment on their property raised, having their children abused in school, or having their employment or that of their friends and relatives placed in jeopardy.
Those insiders who have politcal clout lord it over those who have little or no political clout. They use the governmental processes to advance their interests against those who are not insiders, e.g., the 500 block of Lackawanna Avenue redevelopment scheme. Democrats and Republicans, officeholders, often in cooperation with each other, distribute the proceeds of tax collection among themselves and their cronies. Anytime outsiders object to this legal robbery, they are either coopted by the insiders or "put in their place."
In this area, politics has reigned supreme generation after generation. Hugh Brady raised up Mike Lawler who, in turn, raised up Governor Casey and Commisioner Mellody. The Republican organization here raised up Governor Scranton, U.S. Representative McDade, Mayors Schmidt and Peters but has had only limited success with the Lackawanna County Commissioners' offices, the locus of real power.
In the City of Scranton, if you are an insider, anything from parking tickets to bookmaking to felonious activity can be "fixed." The insiders make available their "protection" for a price--cash or its equivalent in political support. The people of Scranton tolerate this corruption because it is all they have ever known.
The political class in this city fosters divisiveness by pitting one ethnic group against another ethnic group, one religious group against another religious group, one geographical area of the city against another geographical area. How many families have left this city because they were abused by this system and could tolerate it no longer.
It breaks my heart to give such a sad commentary on a city that I love; yet, this commentary must be given. Wake up, Scrantonians! Take back our city from the Caseys, Cordaros, Dohertys, Munchaks, O'Briens and Pettinatos. Get the out of town crowd off of our backs. Stir up your neighbors and friends and tell them that "business as usual" in this city must cease.
W-B Proud asked if I was running for mayor, well I am not running for anything. Like this city, my best days are history. It is up to the younger men and women of Scranton to seize the opportunity and create change in this city, and in this valley.
Pray, pray to God and ask Him for His help and guidance in freeing this city from the shackles of corruption, sloth, and indifference. Hopefully, God will bless Scranton with His Grace and deliver this city from its afflictions.
Excellent post Spruce Streeter. Everything you mentioned is what turns outsiders like me, off to Scranton. The local politics, the corruption, the pay to play mentality. This happens in a lot of other places I'm sure, it's just so magnified here, it's very disturbing. The only way to save Scranton is by God's grace and glory and for the people to take over and boot the corrupt ones and cronies out of here!!!
very nice post! It is a shame that corruption rear its ugly face in Scranton.Its true Scranton knows no other way.Our political figures make promises,take donations all to help themselves and a certain few.I have seen and been a part of broken promises by figures.When they need you they love you,when they are done they throw you out like a piece of trash.The corruption in Scranton make me sick.Non bid construction jobs.Dui;s being squashed is just a few of what I know. How many other Scrantonians feel this way.Its time to take our city back!But who do we give it to?Right back to another promise breaker who does the same. I can see right through Doherty's BS ! He hasnt helped any one who couldnt help him!
You are kidding right, you moved because strangers told you too...get out, you moved because you got a Fed career with ladder promos... If you did move because some people said they did not want you...that is just sad...
Thank you, I thought the same thing as I was reading that post. No one told anyone that had to move. Its all job related !
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you moved because strangers told you too.
..get out, you moved because you got a Fed career with ladder promos...
If you did move because some people said they did not want you...that is just sad...
Are you running for mayor or something?
Ny rangers 2008
