I had the opportunity to instruct a very visionary individual who took several of my courses at Penn State, Schuylkill Haven in the late ’70s and early ’80s. She was part of a community committee that made Jim Thorpe the great tourist attraction that it is today. These individuals worked for over 35 years to make that community a regional jewel. Saturday, I will take my entire family of nine on the train ride from Port Clinton to that community for the day. They plan on visiting the shops, taking the Lehigh Gorge train, eating at restaurants, and buying things from the street vendors and at the local shops as they have done the past several years.

They plan to visit the Asa Packer Mansion as well. The controversy with the railroad MUST be resolved for the good of your community and a much broader one. I know that our train ride is not threatened, but your local attraction is. I took time to read the concerns from the local community in the council minutes online for the past several months. Too many cars in town? Too much traffic? Not enough parking? Cannot get across town when the visitors are there? Do you know how many towns in the coal regions (including my hometown of Tamaqua) would love to have such issues to resolve?

I never met Andy Muller. I have no relationship with him, nor does anyone in my family. Not sorry to tell you, he is right. These trips could be run out of Tamaqua (which has the Tamaqua tunnel and High Bridge to add to the attraction) or other communities. We will probably spend almost $1,000 overall on this trip. Yes, two-thirds goes to the costs of the trip, but the other third to the town and its merchants. Your loss of this revenue is for the greater good. Keep the jewel that you have, respect the individuals in your community who built it, and see past the mundane complaints.

The most visionary people have the guts to admit they are wrong. Give up the tax. Let the rides continue.

Dr. James S. Fogarty

Schuylkill Haven