Letter to the Editor

To whom it may concern,

                I am writing this letter in response to the serious problems that I see in our town of New Bethlehem. These problems include the lack of tourism and the lack of fitness. I feel these two issues negatively impact our town, and if they continue our town will fade away into oblivion. These problems didn’t just spring up overnight like many of the citizens in our town seem to think. They started out many years ago and have continued to grow until they reached the magnitudes they are at now. I personally feel the perfect solution to these problems is to build a ski resort in town.

                The lack of tourism in our town is a considerably large problem. No tourism means no people which means no money. Many people can’t seem to understand why there is no tourism, and why people are moving away. Open your eyes, people. New Bethlehem has nothing to do. If someone wants to go out for a night, other than to a restaurant or a bar, they have to drive 30 miles to find something. Who wants to do that? Also, there is a lack of jobs and businesses in town. Take a drive on Broad Street, and you will see mainly empty, closed buildings. This contributes to why our citizens are leaving, as well. Another issue our town faces is the lack of fitness. It is very rare to see anyone walking through town like they did years ago, especially our younger generations. We have a gym that not many use, so obviously there needs to be another option. People need a motivation to get up off the couch and go exercise.

                Something needs to be done about these issues. If nothing is done people will continue to leave New Bethlehem. With people leaving our businesses will fail. More and more businesses will continue to go bankrupt. The lack of businesses results in less jobs in town for the citizens living here, forcing them to travel far just to make a living to support their families. Also, there will continue to be a lack of fitness. The overall health of our town will continue to decrease.

                As I mentioned before I feel the perfect solution to all of our problems is to open a ski resort. With our town being in a valley there is plenty of area to be used. Small ski resorts have become increasingly less popular as the years pass. Why not bring this business back? A ski resort would bring in tourism and a lot of it. Businesses in New Bethlehem would flourish. Also, a ski resort would offer many jobs for our town citizens. People would now want and be able to stay in New Bethlehem for their entire lives once this town starts booming. Skiing and snowboarding are fun activities anyone can enjoy and also good exercise. People could also snow shoe for fitness. In the off seasons hiking trails could open and perhaps even a golf course.

                As you can see, a ski resort is just what this town needs to get it up and running again. Clearly it would be expensive to construct and get running for the first few years, but soon there would be an immense profit. Just imagine an active and busy town like it was years ago. Our town needs a ski resort, and it is our own responsibility to get our town leaders to recognize and approve this plan. 

                                                                                                                        Sincerely,

 Samantha Dinger