The mayor, an arena, a vision

Wow, are you realted to the Mayor, or on the city payroll, by any chance? Giving credit to the mayor for, of all things, Little League Baseball. And, the population of Williamsport has remained virtually the same for 120 years. Only the demographics have changed. So, you credit Campana by saying that "Williamsport is truly becoming a must destination for many to live, work and visit? I think "crediting" him with that is unfair. If you really want to credit a mayor, at least credit the right one: Jessie Bloom!

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I'm sorry. I always try not to post more than once, let alone twice in a row. First of all, please change realted (whatever that is) to related. More importantly, I simply must repeat this in order to drink in the absurdity at this early hour and once again ****: "Williamsport is truly becoming a must destination for many to live, work and visit". Wowy, wow, wow!!! Yes, I read that, and no I haven't started drinkin'!!!

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Sorry, but one last thing: Just so you know, I never told my husband it was OK to sign this letter with his name AND my name!

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WOW! Must be some d a m n good weed to produce all those delusions!

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First of all, no thanks. Secondly Francine...wow...

This city doesn't need to be a tourist attraction right now, it needs stability. It needs jobs. It needs improved housing, less crime, less tax increases. Again all these letters are about one thing, improving this city for the people who don't live here. The first people you should focus on is the people that DO. I get that in the long haul visitors equals revenue equals more money to provide to the city, but in the meantime they continue to raise the budget to 'start new projects' for tourists. As a result they raise taxes and hurt the local citizens and businesses. As far as giving credit to Jessie Bloom, not a freakin' chance. It's partly Bloom's fault that we have some of the citizenship here that we do. She is part of the reason we 'opened the doors' to rehabilitating drug addicts who are now shooting each other in Williamsport over drugs.

The one point that was made that's true is that the population

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continued-

of Williamsport has hovered a little above 40k for 120 years. The only thing that has changed is that there is a lot more African Americans within the city.(not suggesting that as a negative thing) I don't want to support the mayor in his vision of gathering tourists. I want to support a mayor who's vision is to improve the city for the residents within it.

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The only thing I come to Williamsport for is Wegmans and Harbor Freight. Some boomtown isn't it.

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Rick you probably just summed up 90% of the tourists between the months of September and July.

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Oh I forgot, there is an awesome Chinese restaurant in the Basin Street Mall I stop at when I am in the area.

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It seems to me that this mayor operates under the delusion that he's governing over some big metropolitan city with vast resources. Wwhickok is right, he needs to stop concerning himself with bringing visitors into the city and start thinking about the well-being of the people who live here. The streets are a mess, the public areas are not well maintained, affordable housing is next to non-existent, etc. There are areas of the city that are in horrendous condition. He needs to invest in our citizens rather than using our tax dollars to provide entertainment to visitors.

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Francine: "If you really want to credit a mayor, at least credit the right one: Jessie Bloom!" LOL falling down with my legs kicking in the air!!!

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The tax base and home sales are down even though the population stats may remain the same. New home owners buy outside the city. This in part may be to lower taxes and school systems. I don't see Kohl's as a draw. Improvements should go hand in hand. If the housing situation was better, if jobs within the city were plentiful, and a number of other improvements mentioned in these comments, then the city might boom. it seems that is instead a bust.

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Francine:"Sorry, but one last thing: Just so you know, I never told my husband it was OK to sign this letter with his name AND my name!" I am sure that married men reading that post will join me in wishing Francine's hubby "Happy Couch Time" tonight!!

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The Mayor and Council should concentrate upon the city’s infrastructure and keeping taxes and regulations attractive to business; then maybe businesses will come without the special incentives that give them an advantage over existing businesses. If there’s truly a need for a department store, outdoor hockey rink or movie theater, someone will fill it without the Mayor’s help.

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A good way to get things on track is the mayors "register the tennants" plan. Along with registration, I think background checks are in order for anyone wanting to rent in the city to keep out the rifraf.

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Blame Jessie she just happen too be the Mayor when the influx started to come to Williamsport, it would of happen to whoever was Mayor at the time. The blame goes to the State Prisons in the area Muncy and Rockview, Federal prisons in the area and White Deer sends alot of them over here and also counselors from philly and jersey have been sending them up for 30 years not Jessie doing she s just someone to blame.

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Im curious how much this little venture will wind up costing the taxpayers, once the dust settles from the legal battle.

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Just a question or comment here. I am aware Little League was first in Williamsport, but I do believe that South Williamsport is now the place for Little League, not Williamsport. The Mayor continues to take credit for Little League, but lets the borough handle it, hmmm.

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Spike "New home owners buy outside the city. This in part may be to lower taxes and school systems." "If the housing situation was better, if jobs within the city were plentiful"

Very true words, I think in large part it is because of the school system. Families are relocating to Loyalsock, Montoursville, and South Williamsport. I'm not sure whether there is an influx of purchasing into Muncy (due to flood concerns of home buyers). I believe this is in large part due to the school systems, and of course the quality of neighborhood.

Spike in reference to your comments about Khols, I also agree. I don't think Khol's is much of a draw at all. It's certainly not so to the point of attracting tourists specifically for its presence.

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weldnpipe; I'm not sure if I agree with the whole registration thing, though that could be because I don't entirely understand its purpose.

In reference to Jesse Bloom, she isn't blameless. You mean to tell me that a Mayor cannot stand up against allowing criminals to be influxed into the city? C'mon now.. i would that is PART OF HER JOB. The one part she didn't do successfully. She isn't the only one to blame, but she isn't blameless either.

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"Williamsport is truly becoming a must destination for many to live, work and visit".. I've stated it before... the new motto of Williamsport should be "A great place to grow up, but you wouldn't want to live there"... I cannot fathom a more inhospitable town than Williamsport, though there may be. I visit at least 2 times of year and my 'gauge' to see how the city is doing is by saying "hello" to strangers I pass on the street or in stores. NO ONE says hello back... such dour looks on their faces.. No.. Williamsport is not a destination to live. There is no draw to the area..there is no feeling of "home" to the area... it's "gray skies and downturned eyes".. you have a mayor that is delusional, a council that can't agree on anything, and a citizenship that is taxed to the gills... nope... not for me

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F.E.E. I will say this, yes there are some very unfriendly people here but honestly there are a lot of VERY friendly people in this city also. The problem is, most of the people you probably encounter are the people who've lost hope for this city and are in such a bad spot in life, they can't get out of here. I feel their pain. Your assessment isn't untrue.

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ww, thank you for the comment. I agree, there are some friendly people there, but they are few and far between. Just say hello to 10 people (stangers) walking into or out of a store.. say "hello.." or "Good morning".. and see what your ratio response is.. I would be interested in your results. If it's more than 50%, I will retract my statements and keep a positive outlook on my visits

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Downtown needs food vendors and carts. The five story limit on new buildings needs to be lifted. There is no green zone or outdoor meeting area downtown.

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wwhickok - 11:18 AM

"I'm not sure whether there is an influx of purchasing into Muncy (due to flood concerns of home buyers)."

WW.....Just for clarification, the majority of the Muncy AREA is not involved in flooding. (And they have a great school district.)

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