Carbon County Commissioner Wayne Nothstein has been featured in numerous interviews regarding the plan to construct a new county office building and parking garage on Susquehanna Street. In each interview he stressed the necessity of this new building and stated the planned construction is the “best option.” For whom is it the best option?

Certainly not for St. Mark’s, a National Historic Landmark, which stands to be irreparably damaged. Certainly not for the shop owners whose businesses will undoubtedly suffer loss. Certainly not for the tourist industry upon which the community of Jim Thorpe relies so heavily. Certainly not for the taxpayers of Carbon County who will be saddled with the expense of this project for years to come.

So, for whom exactly is this plan the “best option?” In dismissing alternative office space, the commission’s decision to push forward with this building project is a financial boondoggle.

Exactly who, then, stands to benefit? Now that is an interesting question. There is an old saying, “Follow the money.” Where does this $13 million money trail lead? Or is it $16 million now? Since Nothstein also stated in an interview that there is “nothing to hide,” perhaps he can explain again for whom this project is the “best option.”

Anne Giles

Florida