Letters to the Editor: Scranton Going Broke? You've Got It Wrong
Your Jan. 21 editorial characterized the city of Scranton, Pa., as near bankruptcy. I want to present a more complete picture. Scranton is in fact in the midst of an economic boom that is unique in this time of recession. We are building a $101 million mall in our downtown area and are developing a $65 million national park based on our heritage of the steam engine, railroads and the coal industry.</br></br>In addition, our three hospitals and the University of Scranton are expanding to the tune of $80 million. Other development projects add $35 million, for a total of $281 million in a city of 81,000 people. Does this sound like hard times?</br></br>Even The Wall Street Journal has recognized Scranton as the "new hot city for industry." Money magazine has referred to our city as one of the "best places to live in America."</br></br>We have applied to the state for assistance to wipe out a $5.5 million deficit created largely by an outside arbitrator who awarded $4 million to the firefighters union because officials from a previous administration did not attend an arbitration meeting. I believe we could have eliminated the deficit ourselves through hard work and refinancing of our own assets. However, the City Council felt differently and sought help from the state, and I accept its decision. I have not raised taxes in my two years in office, and I will cooperate with the state as long as it helps us without raising our taxes.</br></br>One of my concerns in involving Scranton in the Distressed Municipality Act was that national media such as your paper would confuse this with a declaration of bankruptcy and mislead the rest of the nation as to the economic well-being of our community. That is exactly what has happened.