Rep. Paul Kanjorski (PA-11): Millions of people coming to the Poconos

[Penndems]

By HOWARD FRANK
Pocono Record Writer

August 31, 2007

EAST STROUDSBURG — A crowd of about 40 people sat in stunned silence as U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-11, gave his prediction for the future of Monroe County.

The New York metropolitan area will grow by 4 million people in the next two decades. They can't go north; not enough infrastructure. New Jersey is already densely populated. So where will they go?

"Greater New York is coming west. Right through Monroe County. And you better act quickly and think about planning and smart growth," he said.

Kanjorski held a town hall meeting at East Stroudsburg University Thursday night. It was a sometimes raucous, no-holds-barred question-and-answer session that went well over its allotted two-hour time limit. Kanjorski addressed questions about immigration, his vote for the war in Iraq, impeachment, congestion, President Bush and, of course, the commuter rail line.

"You've got to become Seattle, Washington," he said. "All their interstates are built with interchanges planned for the next 20 years. They have a vision.

Link (The Pocono Record): http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070831/NEWS/708310314

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"And you better act quickly and think about planning and smart growth." Yes, yes, YES - Not only in Monroe and Pike Counties, but the entire state.

They're coming, folks, primarily from New York and Jersey, but also Ohio, Delaware, the Baltimore and D.C. metro areas, and just about every place else. You need to be ready!

[WorseBeforeBetter]

1. This is an interesting statement:

"The president is not a dumb man, he's just not a deep man. He can be a deep man, but he's never had to exercise his brain. He's a DEK (a fraternity guy, pronounced 'deek'). They are the best party guys in the world," he said.

Do most get through Harvard and Yale without exercising their brains, or just our Fortunate Son?!

Didn't Rendell say he wanted to turn the Allentown area into Wall Street West? I'm originally from PA and see going back some day, but am worried I may be priced out if I wait too long. All I can say is "good luck" with the growth. I'm in the Triangle in NC (another explosive growth area) and I can't wait to get out. Traffic congestion and resistance to public transportation/light rail.

[cap]

2. they are definitely making a move on this initiative

they have been having meetings with Wall Street firms and have been talking about redoing the infrastructure esp electricity and telcom/data lines. The furthest you can go away from NYC with real-time hot backups is 100 miles with current technology. So you would be interested in spots that are about 100 miles from NYC. They are looking at East Stroudsburg and Easton initially with the idea that they would eventually go out to Stroudsburg. They are also working out redoing the Lackawanna cut off and extending it to Stroudsburg and adding stations along the way.

You are definitely not too late. Although in some areas New Yorkers are already moving in. There's a lot of real estate going belly up in the Poconos due to the housing crisis so be careful about looking at stuff.

I am planning a road trip in a couple weeks up there to look at the area. Will let you know more later.