TOURISM: hats off to the women from PMVB who have publicized the forthcoming tour of Lansford. They have done a good job of showing the benefits of visitors to a town. I certainly am not against tourism. But, as a lifelong resident of Lansford and a former council woman, I am more grounded in “realism.”

The reality of the present condition of our town, both physical and otherwise. We presently have a dysfunctional council body, no chief of police, undermanned police department, many roads badly in need of resurfacing, the once bustling business district now buildings sitting in disrepair, sidewalks with weeds and grass growing all over, no pool and limited facilities for young children and nothing for teenagers, and many new residents with no connection to our town.

It took years and years and hard work by the community of Jim Thorpe to become what it is today. Sometimes you get more than you hoped for, which is Jim Thorpe’s situation now.

Lansford does not have hero to bury, nor a river or a water shed to draw recreational lovers, or a wonderful ever changing mountains to view and hike. We have the wonderful No. 9 Mine and a few of the spots mentioned in the publicity for the mentioned tour. Yes, tourism would be a blessing for our town. But right now, I would like to Paraphrase “Physician heal thy self,” Lansford Borough Council work together, Clean up your act and town, then maybe good news and progress will follow.

Rose Mary Cannon

Lansford