Nobud74…The Amish do indeed pay taxes! They pay sales, income and property taxes – local, state and federal – just like we all do. If they are self-employed, they do not pay the social security tax. If they have a non-Amish employer, they do pay into social security. It is also important to note (whether they pay into it or not) that they never receive benefits from social security, unemployment or welfare.

Just things for you to consider, or comment on. For tonight, I'm gonna "head for the playpen, kick off the ground pads, and get some zzz's."

(Old hippie talk !) Have a good night! :^))

When comparing cities, the comparison should be by metropolic areas. (Clusters of like areas.)

I studied Bloomsburg's project Main Street in the 80's, and it's effects and results. And I worked with various people who were experts in revitalization. It's a fascinating field.

I don't see it happening here, mainly because downtown was killed by a group of businessmen who controlled this city for many years. The development to the east is the result.

Greed was the cause of what is left.

Until the financial base changes, new businesses will just kill the old ones, as Wal-Mart is doing to K-Mart, right now.

And I would love for you to prove me wrong about the downtown area. It's something that I would much rather be wrong about !!

Oh yes..... enjoy the theatre !!

Shane:

I don't hold that against you. Many people do the same thing. But my experience and knowledge from being involved locally for many years tell me that the downtown are will never be a bustling retail center again. It would be nice, but it just isn't gonna happen. It's been tried all over the country, and has rarely been successful, for a variety of reasons.

You sound like a nice young man, Shane. You do have an energy about you that is admireable. The area needs young people like you to grab the reins and try to make it a better place to live. Just keep in mind that some things can't be changed.

I had envisioned a ski resort on the mountain south of S. Williamsport as a project, but found no interest.

I also wondered about a hydro****project on the river, for generating power.

And when we suffered through severe droughts some years back, I wondered about the river and why it couldn't be used to some advantage.

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I don't use the theatre, but I have nothing against it either. Better than an empty block of buildings!

Do I believe that downtown can be revitalized? No. I asked you a week ago to tell me what cities you were talking about when you said that there were 'lot's of examples of successful revitalization in cities comparable to Williamsport.' It turned out that you were just making that up. You didn't know of any!

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Because it helps to bring them into the central business district. Ok I will agree some what that the rental rate could be better but at this point John the theater is built and doing well so that's what counts presently.

"I don't feel like commuting 10 miles to see a movie and I shouldn't have to."

Shane, you are right, you shouldn't have to, and you don't have to. Anyone certainly has the option of moving closer to a multi-screen theatre complex if you so desire.

But I would like to know why you seem to feel that all of the taxpayers of Williamsport are obliged to pay taxes, which the city then uses to buy the ground for a movie theatre that will be leased to someone for a tiny percentage of what it should lease for, to operate for a personal profit, and which many of those taxpayers cannot afford to use, or have no interest in using.

I'm not saying the theatre is or is not a good addition to Williamsport. I'm asking why the low rental rate to benefit a businessman.