Ryan Wisniewski – 5/29/07

This page was last updated on June 9, 2007.

Keep shades of green alive; Ryan Wisniewski; Beaver County Times; May 29, 2007.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“I am calling on all Beaver County residents to reconsider the area’s recent development trends. Big box stores have replaced the scenic beauties of nature once found in the region.

“Beaver County needs economic redevelopment, but as citizens we need to find a better way.

“The problems we face are not exclusive to our county. As a state, Pennsylvania loses 300 acres of farm lands and other open spaces a day. From 1992 to 1997, Pennsylvania lost more than a million acres to overdevelopment.”

[RWC] What’s the definition of “overdevelopment?”

“Our state ranked only behind Texas in the category.

“Beaver County is fortunate to already have the necessary infrastructure to support these businesses.

“Our once strong mill towns can be reinvented into thriving retail districts while still promoting smart and sustainable development that puts the future of the state in mind, not with profits in mind.”

[RWC] No one is stopping anyone from setting up shop in the local downtowns. I know this will come as a surprise to some, but nothing happens without profits.

“Every one of us should contact our state representatives and senators and let them know we want to keep the many shades of green alive. If we don’t take immediate action, we will lose our rich natural heritage.”

[RWC] What does Mr. Wisniewski want “our state representatives and senators” to do? Force businesses to locate themselves in old, tiny buildings with limited stock and limited parking?

While I don’t like what’s happened to our downtowns, they were built for a different time when people didn’t have cars and traveling more than a few miles was very inconvenient. If our downtowns are to revive themselves, they will need to provide goods and services people are willing to pay for and are not available elsewhere.