Bp

has written 1 SperlingViews. Currently, Bp is living in Pittsburgh, PA and has a little something to say:

Hometown of Newt Gingrich Posted On: 4/3/2008 4:17:12 PM

Fifteen years ago my wife and I escaped Harrisburg. Even though we periodically return for visits, I am so grateful we did not stay and become ….. one of them!

The downtown has “attempted” to revitalize with Restaurant Row which in actuality is five block of mostly bars and nightclubs. Girls in their Fashion Bug finest, stumble around while their boyfriends relieve themselves in alleys. Retail has yet to transpire beyond a few novelty shops and pharmacies. I will give them credit for the new Whitaker Center.

Forget public transportation. The routes are limited and most suburban lines stop after rush hour. This dates back to the 70’s as a means of keeping undesirables off the West Shore. Oh did I mention there’s no Sunday or holiday service? So if you’re elderly or handicapped … stay home!

In 1975 I went to the State Museum and today the same exhibits are STILL THERE! They did open a Civil War museum which I think gets 40 visitors a day. Hello, Gettysburg is only 30 minutes away! If you want to see a Monet or a T-Rex, drive 100 miles to Philadelphia. There is a symphony and a couple of art galleries but culture is not something that is prevalent in an area where the goal in life is to become a state employee.

Speaking of goals, the public school system is below national standards in testing and there is no university. Ok, PSU does have a campus down in Middletown but other than a community college where you can learn auto repair or cosmetology; educational options are limited. But hey, those trades won’t get you that cushy state job!

The city does offer some attractive housing options in areas like Shipoke and Midtown but it stops at that. You will not find a community feel with retail areas providing relaxing coffee shops (they keep closing) or trendy boutiques. Instead expect convenience stores and hair/nail salons. You also have those pesky problems like parking, persistent vandalism, home robberies and muggings.

As a community, blacks still use the H word, whites still use the N word. Both think all Asians are Chinese and physical/verbal gay bashing seems to be the local sport of choice. It’s sad to see a toothless 40 year old woman stick her head out a car window to yell the F*gg*t as she passes an empty State Street.

In a nutshell that summarizes the Harrisburg area. Even though they’ve made a few changes, the lack of an educated population and formidable cultural venues retains the unwillingness to accept people different from themselves. This decades-old, narrow minded thinking prevails, preventing any true progression from occurring beyond bricks and mortar.