Chris, did you leave your toys out in the rain again?

Remember when you were a kid? Mom and Dad took you to Nay Aug to ride the amusements on Monday nights and for only 10¢ you got to ride the train with Dad?

The train stopped running in the early ninties, when the amusement park at Nay Aug Closed. Taylor native Ken Koch rescued the train from a field behind Friendship House and had it shipped to his Florida home, where he spent thousands of dollars and countless hours rebuilding it.

Koch sold the rebuilt train to A. Hank Evanish, who, in turn, dontated it to the city. Mayor Doherty had a grand opening complete with photos and a ride. Having served its PR purpose, the train was left to rust, half-covered by a tarp, exposed to the elements.

Complaints about the conditions the train was being kept in led to the construction of a shelter of sorts. Unfortunately, a shelter offers protection only when used.

For example, the engine and one of the two cars sat weathering the remains of Hurricane Ernesto parked on the track, with no protection from the rain. One car was parked in the shelter.

The Nay Aug Train is an icon, a piece of our history. Instead of being covered with rain, it should be protected from the weather and only used when the weather is good.

Instead, it sits out in the rain, a symbol of our past, a dark future of neglect and rust in store.

Remember when you were a kid and you got a new toy? The old toys were pushed to the side because the new toys are so exciting.

The picture was taken, the article was in the paper. Now, the train is on its own. Our history, left to the elements. Once the political mileage has been gained, it's just another gimmick. Another toy to be pushed to the side, your memories be damned.

Remember that ride with Dad? Think about it again when the train is closed because it's too rusted to run.

Thanks, Chris Doherty, you've restored my pride.

Shamed into action

The Albright Avenue Bridge is clear of debris for the first time since flooding in late June piled trees and muck, causing a flood threat.

Contrary to news reports crediting the compassion of George Parker, neighbors joined with posters from DohertyDeceit.com to demand action be taken. Posters attempted to organize a work party but the conditions under the bridge prevented the work from being done safely.

The group then innundated city council and the Mayor's office with phone calls. The Times-Tribune and local TV stations were contacted. In the face of mounting pressure, George Parker suddenly had a change of heart.

Citing concern for expected bad weather over the weekend, Parker ordered the men and rental equipment he didn't have last week to appear at the bridge and do the work. In under four hours, the bridge was clear.

In an article in the Times Tribune Thursday, Gardner Avenue resident Dan Hubbard said “That should take some of the apprehension away,” “Everybody’s been pretty much on edge with the way the weather is, especially because it’s been raining so much this week alone.”

Why did this fiasco occur? It's the responsibility of the city to clear the blockages and the work is one of the reasons Scranton has a Department of Public Works. Yet, Parker seemed intent on having the job bid. Could the delay have been a message to the people of lower Green Ridge?

Ironically, in the July 4th edition of the Times Tribune, residents complained about the city's response. “It’s like lower Green Ridge doesn’t exist,” Connie Sacchetti said.

Hubbard echoed those thoughts in the same article. “Councilwoman Janet Evans came out and later (Council President) Judy Gatelli." Hubbord stated. “Our losses are in the thousands and we have yet to see anyone from the mayor’s office, the county or the state and that’s a big concern.”

Lower Green Ridge residents soon found themselves staring at the sky and the pile of debris left under the bridge, waiting for the rain they knew would come and begging the city to remove the tangle of trees that could block the flow of water and trigger a new round of flooding.

Was the delay in cleaning under the bridge retribution? Why did Parker have the crews and assets to clear the right-of-way on Hollow Avenue but not this project? How did the men and assets suddenly become available to Parker when the bridge threatened to become a Public Relations nightmare?

Where was the Mayor when a neighborhood sat, day in and out, waiting for a thunderstorm to flood their neighborhood because of a lack of essential river maintenance?

Is it time to replace Parker with someone who can get the important jobs done without all this drama? Is it time to replace a man who would let residents' anxiety build with every raindrop when the solution is so simple? Is it time to expect more from our public officials?

You decide.

I'm waiting for the Sunday Times because I'm sure a picture of the cleared bridge will be framed by "Something has been done" and a paragraph or two on how last weeks' photo made it happen.

Thanks to all of you who worked so hard to really make this happen. Mr. Hubbard, Ms. Sacchetti, sleep well tonight. Your neighbors care about you.