Monroe 3rd in state in growth

[phillykev]

Yeah lovely, 3rd largest growth in the state, into a county that has next to nothing for jobs.

I was at the grocery store in Newfoundland about an hour ago, the cashier was talking with another customer after he was surprised to see her working there. She said "It's a job" to which I replied "these days that means a lot" ... she turned and looked at me and said "I have been a waitress for 35 years and I can NOT find another waitress job" ... that's freaking scary

That is scary, apparently the people moving into the area don't eat. Are they zombies?

Seriously though, wouldn't the propotion of wait staff needed for a community of people who eat remain relatively stable no matter the population all other things being equal? I'd say it's more the case of the economy being bad and less people, proportionally, going out to eat. Not a population increase. Population increases may cause certain problems, but typically, they improve an economy, especially in the service sector, as there are more people who need that service.

[CHEMICAL]

Come on back. The only crime I ever witness is perpetrated by the Philly cops. And they're easy to spot and elude.

Oh I saw plenty of perpetration of the Urban influence in Philly but it was nothing like here....saddening. I didn't live in the worst areas like North, but still......it's saying something about how this area has declined.

[dc dalton]

Seriously though, wouldn't the propotion of wait staff needed for a community of people who eat remain relatively stable no matter the population all other things being equal? I'd say it's more the case of the economy being bad and less people, proportionally, going out to eat. Not a population increase. Population increases may cause certain problems, but typically, they improve an economy, especially in the service sector, as there are more people who need that service.

What is even scarier is the fact this is a tourist area, the damn place is loaded with restaurants, the casino etc. When waitresses are having a hard time finding work something is freaking horribly wrong.

[CHEMICAL]

Population increases may cause certain problems, but typically, they improve an economy, especially in the service sector, as there are more people who need that service.

In our case we have an influx of city people moving in to use up and take advantage of resources and entitlement programs...but they still spend a lot of their time and money in the city/ cities. Basically they shit where they sleep but don't suffer the consequences of it.

[phillykev]

What is even scarier is the fact this is a tourist area, the damn place is loaded with restaurants, the casino etc. When waitresses are having a hard time finding work something is freaking horribly wrong.

He did say she was a waitress for 35 years. Who are you going to hire?



or

[Exbiker]

Most of the county, no the whole county was caught with their pants down when this all started in the mid 80's. Now we are playing catch up. In Chestnuthill the supervisors have done an outstanding job of almost no tax increases and preserving open space. Literally thousands of acres have been preserved from development.

Now if the school district would be as prudent we'd be in good shape.

I'm thinking 4 dollar a gallon gas will send some transplants running for the city.

[God's Country]

What is even scarier is the fact this is a tourist area, the damn place is loaded with restaurants, the casino etc. When waitresses are having a hard time finding work something is freaking horribly wrong.

I really don't find this too hard to believe. Loads of eateries have gone belly up, the tourism in your area flatlined years ago. And if your casino is like the one around here they virtually give buffet style food away (according to some)to draw crowds and keep them there.

Everyone keeps saying things are looking better. I sure as hell don't see it. I suppose if they live in the cities things are moving, but get out of major population centers and there ain't shit.

And as you pointed out the Pocono's NEVER had jobs. So if 75% of the working population is going elsewhere to work, driving 2-3 hours a day, putting big cash in the gas tank, and getting home at 8:00, I doubt they're going out much to eat, other than fast food/take out.

It's been a recipe for disaster for decades now.

[jcabin]

That is scary, apparently the people moving into the area don't eat. Are they zombies?

Seriously though, wouldn't the propotion of wait staff needed for a community of people who eat remain relatively stable no matter the population all other things being equal? I'd say it's more the case of the economy being bad and less people, proportionally, going out to eat. Not a population increase. Population increases may cause certain problems, but typically, they improve an economy, especially in the service sector, as there are more people who need that service.

Around 75% of the residents in this county commute. Monroe county has the highest commute rate, in the entire country. The problem here is almost all the business relies on people with "city money". Even the cities are starting to feel the effects of a crap economy now. I can't tell you how many people I was working with at my old warehouse job (as of a week ago), who moved out here with family to find work and found a temp job for crap pay. How many people who were laid off for years(local and commuter) and finally gave in to a job for crap pay. The entire service sector of the Poconos was based around tourism, and the Poconos ain't what it used to be, to say the least. Then the service sector was built around the sleeper community, restaurants, shopping centers, retailers and outlets all for people who worked in the city but spent money here.

Well guess what, with over 10,000 homes in foreclosure, another 5,000 abondonded and awaiting an official status, and around 25% of the county unemployed(local and commuter), business ain't what it used to be.

I really don't find this too hard to believe. Loads of eateries have gone belly up, the tourism in your area flatlined years ago. And if your casino is like the one around here they virtually give buffet style food away (according to some)to draw crowds and keep them there.

Everyone keeps saying things are looking better. I sure as hell don't see it. I suppose if they live in the cities things are moving, but get out of major population centers and there ain't shit.

And as you pointed out the Pocono's NEVER had jobs. So if 75% of the working population is going elsewhere to work, driving 2-3 hours a day, putting big cash in the gas tank, and getting home at 8:00, I doubt they're going out much to eat, other than fast food/take out.

It's been a recipe for disaster for decades now.

The few manufacturing factories and warehouses in this county closed up years ago, outsourced, bought out and combined in locations outside of the state. There are a few left but it doesn't cut it. The real problem is, even for "local residents", who don't commute to a city to make "city money", they are STILL commuting over an hour to make it to warehouses in surrounding counties that pay jack shit, have benefits that suck up so much of your pay it isn't worth buying, and between gas and taxes you're working 20 days a month for 14 days worth of pay, or less.

[Dredly]

yup, nobody wants a waitress that has 35 years experience... go look at Olive Garden, Red Robin, Chillis... good luck finding a waitress over 35...

Kids work cheaper, kids are in mass supply and when they quit, they get replaced by another one

[dc dalton]

Well all I can say is that in many ways I am SO GLAD I run my own business and don't have to commute .... we are still holding on by our fingernails but when I see the problems people are having trying to find a job our situation doesn't look so horrible.