So our great nation will celebrate our 250th birthday this year but we have decided to tuck tail and abandon our celebrations to mobs and gangs. Our nation has seen our bravest bleed for the nation and the entire world but to stand up against gangs of punks running through our town is apparently too much to handle. So to all those who have sacrificed, I apologize. This year, no one in the community may enjoy and celebrate. Forget setting the night to music. Forget the incredible American flag waving along our river. Forget the rousing fireworks. Forget the non profits who raise funds during the block party. We are going to be told to stay in our back yards, on our porches, in our homes because a small group of miscreants get to dictate what we all may do.

Maybe if we actually arrested, handcuffed, and charged these people after their criminal acts we would gain control of our area once again. Maybe if parents are held responsible for the actions of their children we could actually celebrate our nation’s birthday. Does this mean that all the carnivals that support local nonprofits are going to be cancelled too? Will the Little League Parade need to be cancelled?

Were there any requests for additional state police, county sheriff’s department, even National Guard presence? Can we really no longer offer protection for a block party that takes place within the confines of Wegmans, Kohl’s, Perkins, Hampton Inn and Holiday inn parking lots?

If we let out-of-control gangs of people determine how we are to live our lives, we have fallen and will never get up again.

MARK TEMONS

Williamsport

Submitted by Virtual Newsroom