Letters/Commentary: February 17, 2000

Letters/Commentary
Central PA Voices Their Thoughts and Opinions

Dear Editor,

While we would like to salute the efforts of Senator Piccola on saving the loss of $120,00 in taxes to Swatara Township, Central Dauphin School District, and Dauphin County, there is another problem that is about to take place in Harrisburg. We are referring to the closing of the Unemployment Office in the Uptown Shopping Center. Had this office closed in 1998, it would have had a direct impact on the lives of over 29,000 Central Pennsylvanians, the approximate number that filed claims at that office. If this number were to be all located in one community in Dauphin County, it would be the third largest community in the country, represents nearly 8.5% of the total population of the county.

If we were to include the office in Carlisle, also scheduled to close, that number increases to over 43,000 people! That number, in one community, would be the second largest community in the Central Pennsylvania Region.

While these numbers are shocking enough, what will the effect of the loss of the nearly 50 people that will be sent to Lancaster rather than serve the members of their own community? Many will move, at a loss of tax revenue to their local communities. Not to mention the loss of tax revenue that the move will cause due to the spouses of the employee no longer contributing to the Capitol region economy. The entire plan had a ripple effect, not only to the local community, but also to the entire region, no doubt at a cost that would far exceed the $120,000 loss of revenue mentioned by Sen. Piccola in the first paragraph.

Senator Piccola, perhaps you might want to muster the Central Pennsylvania Legislative Delegation to stop the loss to the community.

We remain ready to serve …

Employees of the Capitol Region Job Center, via fax

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