Dear Editor,

I would like to comment about the article in the Friday, Dec. 13 TN, “Carbon sets new parking fees in JT lot.”

I feel that this is a bad idea because it puts parking in downtown JT out of reach for many people who live here. It’s going to drive more people to our side of the river to park for free on our streets. Turning downtown JT into a mega tourist attraction in my opinion has gotten way out of hand. My husband’s family came from Summit Hill, where his grandfather was a coal miner. When his family moved away, they still came frequently to visit.

When I married my husband, we came here on a regular basis for 25+ years and moved here over 20 years ago. I don’t think many people have witnessed the change that has taken place. We used to enjoy strolling downtown and eating at Antonio’s. Now we cannot do that. The people who live here are the ones being punished by what is in my opinion, the greed that has taken over JT.

For years we supported the businesses, and community, and paid taxes, now we’re penalized by the craziness that has been generated in JT. It has spread to the surrounding area; we cannot go to Beltzville Lake or Mauch Chunk Lake because of the out-of-town people who flood these places. Some of the people who come here make us concerned for our safety.

Some businesses surrounding JT now charge NY/NJ prices further penalizing residents. I realize this letter is not going to change anything, but I know other people feel as we do. These tourists try to sneak into private lakes and invade our community.

They are sometimes rude to people directing traffic. My husband and I have been involved in the rescue services for over 25 years. Do the people who turned JT into a mega tourist site realize that if there were a fire or injury downtown, that rescue personnel may not be able to get there in time to save buildings or people? Think of that.

Susan Bulanda

Jim Thorpe