Comments

Posted By edoviak
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - 01:16 AM

I’m very impressed with this project and I’m looking forward to seeing how this site evolves over time. It looks like a great way to understand the concerns of Pennsylvanians.

Way to go Rob!

Posted By Slamonto
Thursday, April 10, 2008 - 10:25 PM

I have a hunch that many of you who are reading this are like me.  You care about Pennsylvania intensely, it’s the only place you can ever imagine calling home, you’re excited about the potential of Rob’s ideas, and you’re checking this blog regularly to see what’s happening….and you are disappointed when you don’t see anything new. 

Okay, so if that just about sums it up; it’s time for us to get this party started.  Rob has done a tremendous service for us by framing some important issues in a thought provoking way and offering some of his own ideas and perspectives for discussion.  I believe he has cast a compelling vision of what our Commonwealth could become. 

Though I was not born in Pennsylvania, I’ve lived in Pennsylvania all of my adult life – but amazingly, this is the first issues forum dedicated to our Commonwealth that I ever recall seeing.

So it’s up to us… let’s roll. 

Here are my first observations.  I’m convinced that there is a powerful elegant simplicity in the tourism ideas presented in America Starts Here that could really take off if a few us can figure out how to ignite the right sparks in the right places.  Since, as Rob has pointed out, tourism is already one of our Commonwealth’s leading economic drivers ---- what if these tourism ideas really caught fire?  Can you see the potential explosion of excitement that could occur if 10% more of our thousands of small towns invest some intellectual capital in creatively celebrating and honoring a key event in their history, or a prominent favorite daughter or son whose contribution made a difference in their community, the Commonwealth, the nation, or the world.  It could happen…imagine local mayors, city councils, local businesses, and private citizens working together on exciting local projects calling attention to the things that make their communities special.  There’s nothing inherently divisive or partisan about this idea – it’s just a natural way to get energetic civic-minded people of good will fired up and passionately working together on projects that will ultimately energize everyone involved, and economically recharge communities through an infusion of tourism spending, tax revenue, and job creation.  Can you see it?  Small towns all over the Commonwealth celebrating their heritages in creative ways…reenactments, celebratory theatre productions written and performed by community members, discussion forums, presentations, commemorative art exhibitions, thematic street fairs and festivals, essay contests, special merchandise promotions in local businesses…..and on and on….The best part of this will be that those involved will probably conclude that the economic benefits are not the best part!  The obvious next step for me in my beautiful historic borough is a meeting with Camp Hill mayor Lou Thieblemont…how about you?

Posted By Rob Wonderling
Monday, April 14, 2008 - 08:51 AM

Sam

Tx for the “shout out” and indeed let’s get this “Pa Idea Party” started!

Rob