Dear Editor:

I am constantly amazed with our elected officials and their ultimate wisdom. The closing of the Blue Mountain tourist railroad due to Jim Thorpe wanting over $100,000 in so-called amusement tax fees is very shortsighted by the town’s fathers.

Not only does the railroad enjoy the revenue from ticket sales, but what about the spillover to the rest of the town? Restaurants, antique shops, boutiques, coffee shops, the Asa Packer Mansion House all benefit from tourists visiting the railroad.

Yes, the attractions of the town can stand by themselves, but with the added attraction of the railroad, all businesses of Jim Thorpe stand to prosper. Why are our elected officials so shortsighted in this case, and why do we continue to elect people such as these?

Richard Sappelli

Bethlehem