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I actually think there are alot of places to ride a bike in NEPA. You should try that feat here in Fla. I agree you might have to take your bike somewhere else by car, but there are many places to go once you rack it up.. When you go off road here in Fla you get sand.
Well one thing I can think of just off hand would be if they made either route 11 or the Sansui parkway more bike friendly. I know hardly anyone bikes around here, but if it were less hazardous to go for a ride from say Plymouth into Wilkes-Barre, or Nanticoke into Plymouth, more people would do it. None of the burros or cities around here are very bike friendly, and that’s a shame.
ha, I just remembered a sign I always drive by in Tamaqua near the park... it says "bikes, scooters and skate boards illegal in burrow limits, $200 fine possibility of 30 days imprisonment" How much more anti bike could you get! thankfuly that's not really in our area, and I do not bike in THAT area nor plan to, but I just thought I'd mention it...
WOW! I can remember how ###### I was in the 1980s when many towns began outlawing skateboards. With that in mind, you can't imagine how upsetting it is to find out that some towns have moved on to bicycles and scooters! I truly wish that gasoline would reach $50 a gallon so everybody would move back to bikes, scooters, and rail thus ending our nation's craze for foreign cars buring foreign fuels. Oh I could rage about this topic, but I'll spare everybody my insanity.
The Scranton are will never improve due to the fact the some of the "people" running it have that "old boy" attuide that what they want is what everyone whats in that city. I "had" lived in that city for most of my growing years and now "THANK GOD" I don't. The people running that town are low lifes that think of nothing but theirselfs and how they can benifit ,than how to help their fellow Scrantionains to make it a better life. Their councils majoirty are nothing more than puppets for their mayor,who for sure thinks of nothing more than himself! That city needs to make a clean house of everyone thats running it before it can try to make itself a better place.
P.S. Yes I know I have mispelled words ,so please dont bother to bring this up in future threads. lol
The best idea to improve Scranton and the entire area would be to completely overhaul the political establishment. Both sides of the political aisle in Scranton are pathetic. Both the Janet Evans "DD.com" legion of doom loons and Chris Doherty and his henchmen, are in my opinion, corrupt and only in it for themselves. I'm disgusted with politics from the local level on up to Washington.....both political parties are bad in my opinion.
So, I feel this area's biggest roadblock to prosperity is POLITICS.
----On South Main street....... trees, trees and more trees. And not ailanthus trees, either!
----South Main: Memo to Ron Finlay, major DT commercial property owner....
----Come to your senses! Renovate the truly awful facade of Provincial Towers, preferably from top to bottom (the homeliest building in NePA). It looks like Soviet era Russia. At least spruce it up with some smart awnings or a marquee, some quality brass fixtures, lighting, accents and some shrubs.
----lose the awful, dark tinted glass on the one story makeshift commercial spaces that front South Main and Public Square. It's bad enough that these appear temporary and insubstantial (compared to the 3 & 4 story buildings before Agnes' flooding) but this crummy glass completely shuts the interiors from view. It looks barren, lifeless and void. Observe how much better the new Barnes & Noble space looks and functions across the street. They get an "A"+. Finlay gets a "D" minus.....
2) Less easily accomplished, but possible:
...tackle the re-use of the First National Bank Building on the square next to
Luzerne Bank (now city-owned). Convert to arts usage and/or upscale dinner club and/ or performance space (dance-theater) or how about as the base for an office/hotel/condo tower. How does that grab youse? Or a Planter's peanut Museum after all since those nuts got there start in Wilkes Barre and were first sold on that very square......
---a better, fresher hotel downtown somewhere, perhaps on the site of the Sterling Tower combined with apartments, offices...25 0r 30 stories, thank you.....
I'll have other ideas at some point. These are the ones that occur off the top of my head....or heads as the case might be....
And remember, you heard it here!
I am tickled to see that Wilkes University (and to a lesser degree King's) are now stretching across their respective nearby Main Streets....I long ago wrote letters to the editor and to Wilkes that it would be invaluable to have the University move over to and across South Main so as to anchor and re-populate that end of DT and to keep Wilkes from entering into and further eating at Wilkes-barre's irreplaceable and remarkable historic area.
I agree with you fully, WasPA. I must admit that I'm torn now more than ever before about my future plans in life. I just spent the better part of an hour-and-a-half on this beautiful spring day meandering around just about every square inch of Downtown Wilkes-Barre and the nearby historic district, and I couldn't help but feel inspired at every turn. I know I may often rant about how much I clamor to someday reside in Scranton, but the overwhelmingly negative people in that city as compared to the largely optimistic people in Wilkes-Barre is starting to get on my nerves. Yes, Scranton's politicians are inept, but do Scrantonians need to harp on and on about that to everyone they come across until they're blue in the face? All they accomplish in doing so is manage to turn away even more prospective investors, entrepreneurs, and new residents with their pessimism. It's rare to hear any Scranton resident say one nice thing about their city, and when they do, it's always overshadowed with a jab at Mayor Doherty, the wage tax, pot holes, etc. Wilkes-Barre has its fair share of problems as well (its violent crime rate is actually higher than that of Scranton, which is a much larger city), yet residents of the Diamond City have much more civic pride, overall, than most Scrantonians can ever hope to attain.
Both cities are undergoing inspiring revivals as we speak. By 2015, each city will be an address of distinction again, and property values will be soaring. Daniel (WeLuvPA) and I have settled the bitter differences we once had, but we'll still disagree tooth-and-nail about certain issues, especially the new boutique development downtown. He seems confident that the majority of these new establishments (Northern Lights Espresso Bar, Poochie, New Laundry, Lavish, MaryAnne's Closet, Original Soup Man, Starbucks, Outrageous, Le Belle Cose, Martini Grille, Sambuca, Vida's Tapas, Blues Street, etc.) are destined for failure because of some sort of "three-year-cycle" curse in which businesses shut down en masse once they are no longer able to write off their expenses. On the other hand, I tend to believe that this wave of upper-middle-class retail/entertainment development is the one that will be bucking that trend. I suppose we'll see who's right in 2010 or so.
The main argument that many city residents have is that too much attention has gone to the downtown while surrounding neighborhoods have been neglected. What these people don't realize is that just about every city in America is judged by others solely upon the aesthetics of its downtown. If visitors come to Downtown Scranton and see loft apartments, art galleries, restaurants, niche boutiques, landscaping, etc. on every corner, then they're going to think Scranton is a "hip" and "happenin'" place to be and will be more likely to consider investing in its future via rehabbing a home or opening a new business. When a city's downtown is booming, that growth will radiate outward to surrounding neighborhoods, as people will want to live near the "hub." (Including myself, as I'd love to fix up my own home in a neighborhood near downtown). Yes, Scranton's government is horribly-corrupt, but that's only a temporary black eye for the city, which the residents are also forgetting. I have a feeling council president Gatelli may soon resign her post, especially if she's blasted at this Thursday's meeting as badly as I think she will be for the recent shenanigans over the past two weeks that have dominated local media headlines. Mayor Doherty is unlikely to win re-election either, and I have a feeling that Janet Evans may make a successful bid for mayor (I happen to think she's "faking it" with her "unbiased voice of the people" platform that she exhudes on city council, but we'll see). Essentially, in another three years or so, fresh leadership will be in place on both city council and in the mayor's office, and this "fresh blood" will help to stop the political bickering that has tarnished the city's reputation. Yes, the debt will remain, but I'm inspired now to hear that it's only $100,000,000 (a third of the $300,000,000 figure I was told by someone else). That's still a large chunk of change to cover, but it's not nearly as daunting as that other number.
Wilkes-Barre has had its fair share of political brou-ha-has in recent years as well, yet most city residents being polled today are having a "wait-and-see" approach now before griping at city council meetings. The riverfront is being revamped, the Hotel Sterling is being restored, River Street is being "calmed" with more vegetation, the colleges are continuing to invest in the downtown, the new Diamond City Entertainment District is continuing to grow, the Murray Complex is being turned into a mixed-use project, new historic-themed streetlights are now illuminating town, more police officers are being hired, a large new upscale subdivision (Pine Ridge) in North Wilkes-Barre is selling lots like hot cakes to help improve the city's tax base, etc. Combined, these are all inspiring residents that after years of neglect, the city is making a comeback.
I often wonder why people in Scranton do so much more whining, griping, and kvetching about everything as compared to the people in Wilkes-Barre. Take for example the Valentine's Day blizzard. BOTH cities did a horrendous job at clearing their roadways, yet Scranton's residents made a much bigger deal out of it. Why? BOTH cities have political corruption. BOTH cities have potholes. Do people in Scranton have nothing better to do than gripe? I'm beginning to wonder if I want to live in a city full of whiners (Scranton) or take a risk in a city with a higher crime rate but less "sour grapes"-acting residents (Wilkes-Barre). I'm sure there are rational people living in Scranton as well, but I've yet to meet many of them who can say one kind thing about their city WITHOUT throwing in a rant about taxes, politics, snow plowing, the apocalypse, etc. Why is it that everyone can see Scranton (and Wilkes-Barre) showing signs of wonderful recoveries besides the residents themselves? Before you chime back with (pay taxes here then talk to us about "recovery"), bear in mind that my parents pay HIGHER property taxes on their home here in Pittston Area than comparable properties in either city. (Which debunks the myth that Scranton's taxes are somehow the highest in the area)
Last edited by SteelCityRising; 03-28-2007 at 04:01 PM..
Reason: Typo
I am tickled to see that Wilkes University (and to a lesser degree King's) are now stretching across their respective nearby Main Streets....I long ago wrote letters to the editor and to Wilkes that it would be invaluable to have the University move over to and across South Main so as to anchor and re-populate that end of DT and to keep Wilkes from entering into and further eating at Wilkes-barre's irreplaceable and remarkable historic area.
LCCC has been talking about doing this on Main Street in Nanticoke, and the city wants them to do it too, however so far nothing has been done that I know of. It's a shame too, because the college is only about a mile away from E. Main Street. There are a lot of things that could be done there, Main street there gets a LOT of traffic where as the site of the college (middle road & Koskiusko st) does not... I really think it's a no-brainer
I agree with you fully, WasPA. I must admit that I'm torn now more than ever before about my future plans in life. I just spent the better part of an hour-and-a-half on this beautiful spring day meandering around just about every square inch of Downtown Wilkes-Barre and the nearby historic district, and I couldn't help but feel inspired at every turn. I know I may often rant about how much I clamor to someday reside in Scranton, but the overwhelmingly negative people in that city as compared to the largely optimistic people in Wilkes-Barre is starting to get on my nerves. Yes, Scranton's politicians are inept, but do Scrantonians need to harp on and on about that to everyone they come across until they're blue in the face? All they accomplish in doing so is manage to turn away even more prospective investors, entrepreneurs, and new residents with their pessimism. It's rare to hear any Scranton resident say one nice thing about their city, and when they do, it's always overshadowed with a jab at Mayor Doherty, the wage tax, pot holes, etc. Wilkes-Barre has its fair share of problems as well (its violent crime rate is actually higher than that of Scranton, which is a much larger city), yet residents of the Diamond City have much more civic pride, overall, than most Scrantonians can ever hope to attain.
Both cities are undergoing inspiring revivals as we speak. By 2015, each city will be an address of distinction again, and property values will be soaring. Daniel (WeLuvPA) and I have settled the bitter differences we once had, but we'll still disagree tooth-and-nail about certain issues, especially the new boutique development downtown. He seems confident that the majority of these new establishments (Northern Lights Espresso Bar, Poochie, New Laundry, Lavish, MaryAnne's Closet, Original Soup Man, Starbucks, Outrageous, Le Belle Cose, Martini Grille, Sambuca, Vida's Tapas, Blues Street, etc.) are destined for failure because of some sort of "three-year-cycle" curse in which businesses shut down en masse once they are no longer able to write off their expenses. On the other hand, I tend to believe that this wave of upper-middle-class retail/entertainment development is the one that will be bucking that trend. I suppose we'll see who's right in 2010 or so.
The main argument that many city residents have is that too much attention has gone to the downtown while surrounding neighborhoods have been neglected. What these people don't realize is that just about every city in America is judged by others solely upon the aesthetics of its downtown. If visitors come to Downtown Scranton and see loft apartments, art galleries, restaurants, niche boutiques, landscaping, etc. on every corner, then they're going to think Scranton is a "hip" and "happenin'" place to be and will be more likely to consider investing in its future via rehabbing a home or opening a new business. When a city's downtown is booming, that growth will radiate outward to surrounding neighborhoods, as people will want to live near the "hub." (Including myself, as I'd love to fix up my own home in a neighborhood near downtown). Yes, Scranton's government is horribly-corrupt, but that's only a temporary black eye for the city, which the residents are also forgetting. I have a feeling council president Gatelli may soon resign her post, especially if she's blasted at this Thursday's meeting as badly as I think she will be for the recent shenanigans over the past two weeks that have dominated local media headlines. Mayor Doherty is unlikely to win re-election either, and I have a feeling that Janet Evans may make a successful bid for mayor (I happen to think she's "faking it" with her "unbiased voice of the people" platform that she exhudes on city council, but we'll see). Essentially, in another three years or so, fresh leadership will be in place on both city council and in the mayor's office, and this "fresh blood" will help to stop the political bickering that has tarnished the city's reputation. Yes, the debt will remain, but I'm inspired now to hear that it's only $100,000,000 (a third of the $300,000,000 figure I was told by someone else). That's still a large chunk of change to cover, but it's not nearly as daunting as that other number.
Wilkes-Barre has had its fair share of political brou-ha-has in recent years as well, yet most city residents being polled today are having a "wait-and-see" approach now before griping at city council meetings. The riverfront is being revamped, the Hotel Sterling is being restored, River Street is being "calmed" with more vegetation, the colleges are continuing to invest in the downtown, the new Diamond City Entertainment District is continuing to grow, the Murray Complex is being turned into a mixed-use project, new historic-themed streetlights are now illuminating town, more police officers are being hired, a large new upscale subdivision (Pine Ridge) in North Wilkes-Barre is selling lots like hot cakes to help improve the city's tax base, etc. Combined, these are all inspiring residents that after years of neglect, the city is making a comeback.
I often wonder why people in Scranton do so much more whining, griping, and kvetching about everything as compared to the people in Wilkes-Barre. Take for example the Valentine's Day blizzard. BOTH cities did a horrendous job at clearing their roadways, yet Scranton's residents made a much bigger deal out of it. Why? BOTH cities have political corruption. BOTH cities have potholes. Do people in Scranton have nothing better to do than gripe? I'm beginning to wonder if I want to live in a city full of whiners (Scranton) or take a risk in a city with a higher crime rate but less "sour grapes"-acting residents (Wilkes-Barre). I'm sure there are rational people living in Scranton as well, but I've yet to meet many of them who can say one kind thing about their city WITHOUT throwing in a rant about taxes, politics, snow plowing, the apocalypse, etc. Why is it that everyone can see Scranton (and Wilkes-Barre) showing signs of wonderful recoveries besides the residents themselves? Before you chime back with (pay taxes here then talk to us about "recovery"), bear in mind that my parents pay HIGHER property taxes on their home here in Pittston Area than comparable properties in either city. (Which debunks the myth that Scranton's taxes are somehow the highest in the area)
Besides Paulie... I think it's illeagal to live in Scrantoon if you grew up in Luzerne county...
Seriously though.. I lived in Dunmore for a couple of years and they always looked at me like I was a carpet bagger. It wasn't hell or anything. It just wasn't home..Luzerne co...
Actually, when we were in our teens (70's) we would go to lack-of-wanna county to beat up drunks. I see there are still plenty of 'em there for the plundering..
Last edited by in2dadark; 03-28-2007 at 08:30 PM..
Reason: spelling
Besides Paulie... I think it's illeagal to live in Scrantoon if you grew up in Luzerne county...
Seriously though.. I lived in Dunmore for a couple of years and they always looked at me like I was a carpet bagger. It wasn't hell or anything. It just wasn't home..Luzerne co...
:
I lived in Dunmore for about 2 years after I got married, and I grew up in Lackawanna County in the Mid-Valley, and I can attest that people in Dunmore consider anyone who isn't a born and bred Dunmorean to be a carpetbagger.
People there have a superiority complex and consider Dunmore to be the center of the universe. My next door neighbor in Dunmore just couldn't believe that I would want to move out of Dunmore and into Scranton.
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Very Well Put, WasPA!
All they accomplish in doing so is manage to turn away even more prospective investors, entrepreneurs, and new residents with their pessimism. It's rare to hear any Scranton resident say one nice thing about their city, and when they do, it's always overshadowed with a jab at Mayor Doherty, the wage tax, pot holes, etc. 
Wilkes-Barre has its fair share of problems as well (its violent crime rate is actually higher than that of Scranton, which is a much larger city), yet residents of the Diamond City have much more civic pride, overall, than most Scrantonians can ever hope to attain.
Essentially, in another three years or so, fresh leadership will be in place on both city council and in the mayor's office, and this "fresh blood" will help to stop the political bickering that has tarnished the city's reputation. 
Take for example the Valentine's Day blizzard. BOTH cities did a horrendous job at clearing their roadways, yet Scranton's residents made a much bigger deal out of it. Why? BOTH cities have political corruption. BOTH cities have potholes. Do people in Scranton have nothing better to do than gripe? I'm beginning to wonder if I want to live in a city full of whiners (Scranton) or take a risk in a city with a higher crime rate but less "sour grapes"-acting residents (Wilkes-Barre). 
