Since RTA cut the 23 bus service on Scranton, the people in this complex are at such a disadvantage.  There are efforts being made to clean up the USA Gas Station - stop them from selling drug paraphenilia, clean up the prostitute activities, etc., but the residents of Scranton Castle are on edge and in fear that going after the gas station could possibly take away their only close grocery store services, affordable money orders, reasonable check cashing fees and such.

Councilman Cummins stated that the distance to the bus stops and library was 1 or 2 tenths of a mile, that might as well be ten miles to a disabled individual in an unsafe neighborhood.  Imagine having to get a wheel chair through the snow and ice in the winter time - just 1 tenth of a mile.  Make it to the library to use a computer - just 1 tenth of a mile, and then can't get in the door because of no ramp.  Get robbed at gunpoint trying to get back home  from Dr's Apts. - just 1 tenth of a mile.  These folks have some serious hurdles and, yet, nobody can find $50 a month to help them out.  TWDC just had a big fundraiser a couple of weeks ago - but they can't spare $50 a month. 

Both TWDC Board members Henry Senyak and Deane Malaker addressed these issues at the last Board meeting but were quickly shot down by other board members stating that this would set a precedent.  Cummins made the same excuse at the block club meeting the other night.

When did setting a pecedent become more important to  community organizations than helping disadvantaged residents in need?  This all seems to be  bit ass backwards to me.

Right now these residents are struggling.   They've lost their means of transportation, their internet services, the library is inaccessible to most of them - who are disabled, handicapped, in wheelchairs or use other types of walking devices.  Being unable to defend themselves makes them vulnerable to the threat of criminal activity in the neighborhood.  

 Yet - everybody has their knickers in a twist, pulling out all the stops because right across the street from the CMHA building, a couple of well-to-do individuals are yanking everybody's chain about a historic dictrict.  One of which (Mr. Briggs)  sits on the Tremont Historic Design Review Committee.  There also seems to be a number of "outsiders" that don't even live in this area pushing for the historic district. 

TWDC Board member/committee chairman, Tim Jenkins told Cummins right out that he disagreed with him on ths issue.