Letter to the Editor – Adopt-a-Pothole

To the Editor:

I want to begin this letter by thanking the concerned citizens in Renovo for taking the time, determination and mostly their spirit of right as they have started filling pot holes within the borough of Renovo. As a lifelong resident of the Renovo Community, I have to wonder what it will take for the Clinton County commissioners and/or politicians to see the plight in the western end of the county. Somewhere in somebody’s infinite wisdom it was decided to have several low income housing units, thus eliminating a part of the tax base for Renovo and the surrounding townships. A little over a week ago, Renovo lost one of its finest individuals in an accident within the borough.

While riding his motorcycle, he hit a pot hole and lost control of his bike from the impact, which ultimately resulted in his death. Should he have lost his life in this manner? Under ordinary circumstances, within borough limits one does NOT have to worry about the streets being in such a deteriorated manner to inevitably cause such a horrific tragedy as this.

I completely understand this past winter was a rough one and that weather does impact the roads, however, I can’t believe nor will I ever accept the fact that just a harsh winter season could deteriorate the streets in Renovo as they are presently. I do NOT blame the current council members or the mayor for the deterioration in the Borough of Renovo; it has taken years to reach this decline.

It seems to me that there is always money for Lock Haven to raze buildings, beautify downtown, not once but several times, but when it comes to aiding Renovo, nobody from that end of the county seems to hear nor care.

Renovo not only has issues with the streets, however, and I feel compelled to address the illicit behavior, lack of work, and drugs in our area. Does anyone care about the frequent selling of drugs to kids, manufacturing drugs, thefts and everything else that corruption, lack of a police force and complacency brings?

It seems to me that the county commissioners and local politicians seem to notice Renovo only when it is beneficial to them, usually around election time. It is no huge secret that our end of the county is depressed, and I truly wonder what it will take for someone to hear us.

Renovo and its surrounding townships have turned out some of the most successful adults in Clinton County … we have lawyers, doctors, judges, career military, entrepreneurs, writers, athletes, etc.

Ultimately, if this community declines any further, we will be nothing but a town of low income units and crime. As it stands right now, most of our children graduate, go to college and leave. I have two adult children that have done exactly as many do: They relocate because there is nothing for them here other than memories and family, of course. If we keep burying our heads in the sand, Renovo will be a thing of the past.

I implore the county commissioners and politicians to investigate this situation and render some assistance before it is too late.

As I stated at the beginning of this letter, we lost a great man to a senseless, preventable accident. Can we afford to lose a child to drugs, an elderly person to crimes of violence and possibly something worse?

We have no police force, we have no industry … we do, however, have huge hearts, a beautiful community surrounded by some of the most breathtaking natural beauty in the state of Pennsylvania, and we have excellent work ethic. But first and foremost, we have spirit. The constant humanitarian efforts in our part of Clinton County is witnessed almost daily. Unfortunately, Renovo can’t always take care of its own. We pay taxes, we support our communities and churches and we not only have the right as residents of Clinton County,, but WE deserve to be heard. Stop treating Renovo like is doesn’t exist and keep in mind that we, too, are a very integral part of Clinton County.

Mary George Rhone

Renovo