Click here to subscribe today or Login.
NEW CENSUS figures show that Luzerne and Lackawanna counties grew – if only by a smidgen – in the past 10 years, which is a welcome reversal from the all-out exodus of the Rust Belt days.
Even so, the numbers don’t suggest a rapid renaissance any time soon for the commonwealth or for our corner of it. Among the troubling trends:
• The state eked out a population gain during the last decade of 3.4 percent, bringing the number of residents to about 12.7 million. But Pennsylvania’s under-18 population declined during that span, according to the 2010 Census. More must be done to curb the younger generations’ impulses to “go West,” “go South” and “go anywhere, just go.”
• Compelled by demographic changes, Congress will shave another seat from the Keystone State’s delegation. The state, which once upon a time claimed 30 U.S. House seats, will now fill a mere 18. That giant sucking sound you hear is Pennsylvania’s power deflating.
• People apparently continue to abandon cities such as Wilkes-Barre and settle in townships. Wilkes-Barre’s population fell 3.8 percent, according to census data released Wednesday. Lawmakers and land-use planners need to embrace solutions to this sprawl and restore urban centers. Otherwise, more of us simply waste more time and gasoline while getting to and from rural homes lacking city “conveniences” and services. Then we covet those things until they arrive in the neighborhood, spoiling its country charm. Go figure.
• This region’s inability in recent years to come to grips with issues such as public corruption and the proper oversight of the natural gas industry makes for less-than-appealing slogans with which to draw newcomers. “Pennsylvania: Land of 1,000 crooks” or “Fish our (mostly pure) trout streams” won’t exactly get the welcome wagons rolling.
Between now and 2020, state lawmakers bear much of the responsibility for prepping Pennsylvania so that the world beats a path to its doorstep.
Meanwhile, Northeastern Pennsylvania residents can work to improve upon the way we treat the environment and the way we treat each other. Isn’t that the crux of what makes people want to call a place home?