Improving Employment Opportunities

By Lee D. Jamison

In 1977, at age 23, I founded my own masonry construction business. At that time, very few high paying jobs were available. Today, 33 years later, things are much worse!!

I strongly believe that our region possesses everything required for success except innovative, visionary leadership.

A few years ago,11 communities in Lackawanna County decided to cooperate in creating a plan for the future of our area.This group became known as the Scranton-Abington Planning Association (SAPA).The historic SAPA Plan may be viewed at http://www.sapaplan.com This unprecedented cooperation among communities was guided by "Focus Groups", appointees from each member community who had specific expertise. Likewise, I would create a coalition of leaders from the business, educational, and governmental fields, and periodically review the ongoing employment situation. We would then take appropriate actions in order to capitalize on every favorable situation possible. I would encourage regionwide participation through networking with like minded efforts across the State. We can no longer afford to continue the failed practices of the past, and we owe it to ourselves and our children to seize every opportunity.

In this fashion, I believe that we can grow a diverse sustainable economy. We can also market our area as business friendly and seek to attract outside companies. Furthermore, the enormous economic potential of the Marcellus Shale Gas Field must be carefully factored into our future plans. Geologists estimate that billions of dollars worth of gas and oil are present a mile below our feet. I advocate the safe, responsible, and intelligent development of this resource. The severance tax that I support will provide massive amounts of revenue for many decades, money that can benefit all Pennslyvanians. As I have already stated, all we lack is proper leadership!