GLEN LYON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A sign welcomes people to Glen Lyon. But the words “Pennsylvania’s Most Distressed Community” could very well be added to the sign.
It is something people who live there are not happy with
“I didn’t like it too much because I like Glen Lyon.” said Florence May
78 year old Florence May says its a great little town. She and others in this community of 1,700 residents say a report naming Glen Lyon the most distressed community in Pennsylvania is unfair.
The DC based “Economic Innovation Group” analyzed data from 26,000 zip codes– including poverty rates..education and property condition It found that:
Nearly half of Glen Lyon residents live in poverty. Almost a third of properties are vacant or falling apart ..and one-in-five of its residents lack a high school education.. bill weaver owns several rental properties in glen Lyon and thinks the town is facing the same challenges that other communities are dealing with.
“I don’t think it’s the most distressed community. I mean everywhere you have run down properties. Vacant properties are not just here.” said Bill Weaver
Glen Lyon is located in Newport township. The commissioners say they’ve already begun to change its image.
“We are pursuing landlords that don’t take care of properties. People that don’t clean them up their properties.” noted Deb Zaleski, Newport Township Commissioner
And they are seeking state federal grants to improve the appearance of the community.
“Our main concern is get some funding for new sidewalks and there is a road paving project and that will start in several years to get it cleaned up and make it look better.” added Zaleski.
Township leaders also believe the data is skewed because there is a very high senior citizen population, and many live on low or fixed incomes.
Other cities in Pennsylvania that made the distressed list include Shenandoah in Schuylkill County. Harrisburg and Erie
