Johnstown Pennsylvania - Readers Corner

Johnstown's #1 Shopping
and
Resource Website

The Johnstown Change

Story Submitted By:L.Dill

Was it just me or did Johnstowner's stop being the happy-go-lucky people they once where? I remember a time where life meant living day by day, stopping and chatting with people you run into on the street...whether you know them or not.
When did Johnstowner's stop caring about one another and starting caring only for themselves?
Remember the days when if you broke down just one car passing without stopping was rare, now you have twenty cars go by and maybe one of them will stop.
Go back in time with me back to the days when the mills spewed tons of smog into the air when men and women went to work came home smelling of the mills, yet still had the time to say hello, to help there neighbors out. I don't know about you but I would like to be back in the days of the smog, and still have Johnstown feel like a giant home.
There is a saying "jumping the shark" which means doing something to save something but it backfires and means the end (Taking from the Fonz in the episode of Happy Days where he literally "jumped a shark" right before it went off the air) When did Johnstown jump the shark?
Was it when the mills closed down, along with the mines? Why would that make Johnstowners the people they are now though? Was it when Johnstown became a "distressed" area? Because if it is, I got news for my fellow Johnstown folks, its not changing soon. I believe the only way that will change is when people start caring about one another again. When you care about your neighbor's un-employment is the only time it can change. Time and time again I have seen or heard about companies in Johnstown hiring people from out of the area. That would not happen if a Johnstown employee spoke up and helped his fellow Johnstowner out.
If you agree or disagree or just want your opinion seen email me.

When I say Johnstown I do not just mean downtown I am speaking for all the so called 'burbs as well. The Ferndale, the Moxham, the Park Hill and everywhere in between. I consider myself a "Johnstowner" and I live in Somerset County!
Of course its right on the line near Benscreek but it goes to show that what makes a Johnstowner is not where you live but how you live. If we went back to the days of old we would not have to be inundated with news articles about police officers swimming in the fountain years after the incident.
If you want skeletons dug up then do so somewhere else. Everyone is hiding something in there basement. I for one am getting fed up with the way the local news portrays some things. As I was told growing up if you don't like it, change it. Griping only causes problems.
Rant Over

Read More Stories




© Copyright 1999-2003. All rights reserved Johnstowns.com