Jim Thorpe, what's the deal? (Pittsburgh, Lancaster: unemployment rate, tax, live)

[TechieTransplant]

We recently just ended a nearly two week long honeymoon with a stop in Jim Thorpe before returning to Pittsburgh.

We enjoyed our stay at Angel of the Morning bed and breakfast, and had great dinning and shopping experiences.

I remember there being a distinct difference between the downtown area and the upper part of the town. People in the downtown area are very friendly and warm and welcoming, while you feel like you are in white trash heaven in the upper part. And what's with the traffic? People are unwilling to let you in to traffic. and try crossing the streets as a bike rider or pedestrian.

We were told there is growing resentment from the locals towards tourists, and if that's true, get over it. We travel a lot, and we see a lot of small town America with blocks of closed up store fronts, something you don't see in Jim Thorpe.

[jason01]

Originally Posted by scottrpriester

We recently just ended a nearly two week long honeymoon with a stop in Jim Thorpe before returning to Pittsburgh.

We enjoyed our stay at Angel of the Morning bed and breakfast, and had great dinning and shopping experiences.

I remember there being a distinct difference between the downtown area and the upper part of the town. People in the downtown area are very friendly and warm and welcoming, while you feel like you are in white trash heaven in the upper part. And what's with the traffic? People are unwilling to let you in to traffic. and try crossing the streets as a bike rider or pedestrian.

We were told there is growing resentment from the locals towards tourists, and if that's true, get over it. We travel a lot, and we see a lot of small town America with blocks of closed up store fronts, something you don't see in Jim Thorpe.

Locals see very little tourism money. Most of those businesses are not owned by locals and in fact by Pennsylvanians If those few blocks were closed up, except for a VERY SMALL handful of people, it would make very little difference to people except for that fact that they would find it easier to drive through town on the weekends.

[TechieTransplant]

We are going back to celebrate our one year anniversary this weekend, but we are not staying in the upper part of town. Seems as though people are much more friendly and welcoming downtown.

[sleeplessinpa]

The above statement is true. Locals do not see any Tax Relief from local Business.
Right now Carbon County has the highest unemployment rate in Northeast Pa.

The Democrat County Commissioners have done nothing for the County but make empty promises about bringing jobs to the area.

One of the Biggest promises was to Bring lots of jobs to a Historic Property PACKERTON YARD.
County Commissioner O'Gurek made a big deal about Tearing down the brick building that was on the Historic Registry because he had Grant Money from the state to do this. Local Residence as well as a Group people from Lancaster Took the County to Court to try and Stop this measure but Lost. The Lancaster people wanted to bring Outlet stores to Packerton yard much like you see in reading and Lancaster but OGurek snubbed his nose up at this and said:"We do not need someone from Lancaster coming here to tell us what do and we need Manufacturing jobs not stores!"

Needless to say the County won in court and the Historic building was torn down and O'Gurek has had one problem after another in trying to get Packerton Yard even started. The Railroad refused access as you need to cross their tracks to get to the Property and now Penn Dot refused the County's plan for road access as well.

OGurek also sued County Residence who tried to stop him from tearing down the Historic property. I do not know if he was allowed to do this or won but this man is one of the most Narrowed minded hard nosed SOB's I have ever seen.

Locals are feeling a major pinch economically here as this area has been run to the ground by poor Government.

Nevertheless-enjoy your stay in the lower part of JT. Try Flow restaurant-it is owned by a New York Artist, limited Menu but great Food. The Mexican Restaurant is dirty avoid it. The Pizza downtown and Chinese food is great! I hear their is a English Tea shop which also serves a daily menu but have not tried it-I think they are also a bed and breakfast- I did hear their food is good. But as a local I have not tried them yet.
If you like to bike-take advantage of it- it is safe but in the fall be careful as many gun owners do practice for hunting and you can hear them out in the mountains target shooting-(This is normal here so do not be alarmed it is not gangs just hunters practicing).

[BPP1999]

Originally Posted by sleeplessinpa

If you like to bike-take advantage of it- it is safe but in the fall be careful as many gun owners do practice for hunting and you can hear them out in the mountains target shooting-(This is normal here so do not be alarmed it is not gangs just hunters practicing).

A few weeks ago we took the shuttle from Blue Mountain Sports to White Haven to ride the 25-mile trail. The owner of BMS drove us. I must say he knows how to run a small business. He talked to us the whole way up, seemed very proud of Jim Thorpe, told us where he grew up, etc. He was very nice and I would gladly give them business again. And, he lives in the area.

I have felt that the area around and above the Catholic Church does seem less friendly. Then again, that's not where the businesses are that cater to the out-of-towners.

[TechieTransplant]

Originally Posted by BPP1999

A few weeks ago we took the shuttle from Blue Mountain Sports to White Haven to ride the 25-mile trail. The owner of BMS drove us. I must say he knows how to run a small business. He talked to us the whole way up, seemed very proud of Jim Thorpe, told us where he grew up, etc. He was very nice and I would gladly give them business again. And, he lives in the area.

I have felt that the area around and above the Catholic Church does seem less friendly. Then again, that's not where the businesses are that cater to the out-of-towners.

He is a great guy, I took advantage of the shuttle on the same ride. Got caught in a severe thunderstorm on the way back, but that's another story.

Yeah, I don't even have a hard time crossing streets in Pittsburgh, and I'll tell you, it took us a good ten minutes to cross a street near the church you speak of. People would not let us cross.