Better communication needed in Jim Thorpe

Dear Editor:

Without getting into the details of the controversy over the current Carbon County Parking Lot fee structure, it is easy to define the cause of the fracas.

With all of the planning involving the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce and the Jim Thorpe Chamber of Commerce (now the Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency), there still doesn't exist an appropriate forum for communication among the Commissioners or the Jim Thorpe Borough Council.

This lack of communication on a regular basis where each party could be made sensitive to the needs and problems facing each other is the real culprit in the controversy.

Business card exchanges, expos, golf outings, and parties are all very pleasant; however, the real business, the real important inter-relationships between the significant organizations involved in the town's economic well-being is and has been lacking.

Attending the Thursday Commissioners' meeting with the public in general or a Borough Council meeting with the same format is not conducive to the in-depth dialogue needed.

The Commissioners, through a letter writing campaign and a few visits to their Thursday public meetings, were finally informed (the hard way) of the merchant's needs and concerns. The merchants again, through the newspaper, learned of some of the Commissioners' needs and concerns.

These are not the recommended means of communication in a democracy. The emotional stress and agitation caused by the controversy is not welcomed by either party.

What is the chance of an ongoing gathering of two to three representatives from each local government entity and the business community to address mutual needs and concerns?

Thank you,

John Drury

The Innat Jim Thorpe

Mauch Chunk

Museum & Cultural Center