BURNHAM — The roles were reversed Thursday night at a local town meeting, when those who are used to asking the questions were the ones answering them instead.
This unique opportunity occurred during a public forum Thursday, co-sponsored by area media agencies including The Sentinel, at the Quality Inn in Burnham.
WGAL-TV 8 Anchorwoman Lori Burkholder served as moderator for the one-hour event, portions of which were broadcast on the news station’s 11 p.m. program. Juniata Valley residents were given a chance to ask media representatives questions and to discuss issues of importance within the community.
Of the topics that were discussed throughout the evening, there were two that seemed to come up frequently — skyrocketing fuel costs and the fluctuating condition of Lewistown Borough.
However, the first topic of the evening came from Lewistown resident Howard Lindsey, who spoke about the issue of the “Blight Bills.” He said these will inappropriately endanger the rights of every owner investing in real-estate.
“These bills are strictly poison, it’s scary. All I know is you do not want this bill,” Lindsey said.
Johnnie Miller was the next to voice his concerns. Miller brought up the topic that has been a “rising” issue these past few months — gasoline prices.
“We have a problem here; the American people do. The American taxpayers are paying 300 hundred million dollars a year and it’s expected to rise to almost 600 million dollars next year,” Miller said.
In order to make a difference, Miller has called U.S. Rep. John E. Peterson, R-Pa, who represents the 5th Congressional District.
“I called him twice, and I am only one person. We all need to come together and make a difference,” Miller said.
When it came to Lewistown Borough, there were mixed reviews. Some people said they believed Lewistown still had opportunity to become the town it once was, and some said they believed Lewistown would never live up to its past potential.
Frank Moist, of Lewistown, was one of those who believed Lewistown could recover.
“I believe it has potential. Lewistown is a town that is struggling economically, but I believe we can recover,” Moist said.
Pam Baker, of Lewistown, said she didn’t think so.
“I disagree. I don’t see any potential in Lewistown. It’s dirty. They (borough officials) need to worry about cleaning up before you worry about building developments,” Baker said.
But Kenton Stuck, of Lewistown, disagreed with Baker, saying there still is limitless potential for this area as a whole.
“Lewistown is in a key location. We can make this area all that it possibly can be,” Stuck said. “This area is beautiful, blessed by natural resources and centrally located.”
He said it is a place where there are friendly people who are willing to work hard and a great place to live and raise a family. To those who doubted what this area has to offer, he offered the following statistics in regard to Quillas Creek, a housing development planned for the Reedsville area and with which he is affiliated.
“We have been contacted by more than 450 people from 28 states who are interested in locating here. ... That equates to an increased tax base for this area and money coming into this area for economic development, money that these residents will spend in area businesses,” Stuck said of this community’s unlimited potential for revitalization.
He said he is proud that Quillas Creek will be part of that positive future.
In addition to The Sentinel and WGAL-TV 8, WMRF “MERF” Radio also participated in the public forum.
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For more information on the state bills mentioned in this story, visit www.legis.state.pa.us.
