More Subforums for Pennsylvania?

[monsoon]

I've noticed that we have had some new members from parts of Penn. that are not in Pittsburgh or Philly. Do any of you guys want to see a subforum(s) that would cover the parts of the state that you live in? I need some suggestions if you do and we will see what we can do to set them up.

[PghUSA]

Great topic metro! I hope every new member here realizes that if there is no current subforum for your region/city of Pennsylvania we can create one with your help and contributions (posts). Let us make the Pennsylvania forum one of the best on UP, and don't be discouraged by low traffic at first, with a little hardwork it can grow, the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia sections are proof postitive of that.

Interested in the views of those outside the two major metros on this.

[PAboyBJR70]

I think subforums would be great. I live in Scranton, and a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Poconos forum would be a smart addition to the Pennsylvania page.

We have two rather well-known Northeast cities in a metro of 600,000+ people, which have experienced a major recession and renaissance over the last five decades. Northeastern PA also has Pike County, one of the fastest growing counties in the Nation, and Monroe County, the heart of the Poconos, which has had an enormous influx of New York City metro residents that has doubled the population to 150,000+ and transformed the Poconos into a bedroom community of the Big Apple.

I also think the Lehigh Valley and Capital Region (Harrisburg/Reading/Lancaster/York) could support their own pages, as they are major growth areas in the sluggish Keystone State.

Thanks for the suggestion, monsoon.

[billpa]

I don't see the kind of traffic here that would warrant new subforums. I like the ability to come on and instantly see a message about Wilkes-Barre, even though I live in Harrisburg. Not that I couldn't click onto a WB/S subforum, but what's the point if I can see WB, Hbg, State College stuff all on one page. Anyway, just one man's opinion.

[Evergrey]

I agree with billpa. I think the "rest" of PA is best served by the current catch-all forum.

[PghUSA]

^^All of you have great points, I'd love to see Scranton and some other areas of the state branch off, but as mentioned posts and traffic are needed first.

My thoughts on this is I too often see some great contributors stick around for a few months and add great insights only to disappear in what seems like frustration over lack of response or interest. I just hope everyone here realizes that 80% of those who read, view and think about what is posted don't have any need to respond per se, no contribution goes unnoticed. I would love to see Hburg, Scranton/WB and other areas grow here and I'll help in any ways that those areas need, but to branch out I'd love to see some potential moderators in there ready to commit to that particular area and keep us updated with news and views, reaching out and introducing the forum to fellow residents there as well.

At this moment (late May) I don't see the math add up to support seperate forums but that can always change with the activity I've mentioned above, and I'm rooting for that!

[ScrantonWilkesBarre]

I'm also quite obviously a supporter of a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Pocono forum as well. However, I feel as if there are too few members from the NE to adequately support a separate forum. Besides, I like posting rants in the main PA page about our area to get others from around the Commonwealth interested in the exciting new developments underway in our area in the upcoming years. "BosWash" is already making its appearance in the Poconos, and I'm noticing more and more of the building lots in the newer subdivisions in the Scranton area being snatched up by NY/NJ transplants. This influx of new growth is going to make the Scranton area the Northeastern U.S.'s next real estate "hot spot", especially after Scranton was specifically named as a "hot market" by PARADE Magazine. Pike and Monroe Counties are already bedroom communities to NYC, and it will be interesting in the next 10-20 years to see if Scranton and Wilkes-Barre follow suit or continue to revitalize themselves independently from the exurban growth pressures from BosWash. The new commuter rail linking Scranton to NYC is also something that may be a boon to the area, along with the new airport facility, and the casinos. Needless to say, I'm excited for my hometown right about now!

[PghUSA]

Great news for SW-B, it is interesting that a commuter line is being considered for NYC to SW-B but Pittsburgh is still trying to get a northshore connector lol.

Agreed on the traffic coming first, I dont have the pathos or knowledge that some posters have about other corners of the commonwealth but I am willing to work with anyone interested in making the Pennsylvania board a greater place for regional discussion.