Aren't there bigger issues we should be talking about here, mayoral candidates? Yes, parking affects us all, but what about getting viable retail into the empty storefronts? What about economic development?

I hear ya, Carrie, but neither one of these guys knows how to do that. Let's help them. What can we do?

How can you say there is no economic development in Easton? Look around the entire city. On the southside the new CVS complex; in the west ward the expansion of R&R and the former Getty Mart dump that now is nice and new; on College Hill the new restaurantrs that opened and downtown --- where do i begin --- Pomeroy's; Lipkins; the W.E.S.T. and A&D buildings; Mt. Vernon Hotel, Sigal Museum, etc. As for retail you must not have beenin downtown recently --- Carrie's gift shop (wonderful), outdoor shop and bakery opeing soon; JATC; Sorrenti Winery; the ladies that make the dog bisuits my dog loves, and on and on. The art galleries and restaurants. You both should come downtown and experience the good things that are happening. And the Farmers' Market and festivals are phenominal.

Parking is a quality of life issue for Easton residents. To clear up one of my comments. My complete thought was not printed. The idea of utilizing the Quality Inn lot would not use taxpayer dollars just coordinate a deal to allow merchants to lease spots for their employees as well as valet parking.

I do not believe Easton official know how to pull in quality new retail or business either. The make it difficult during the process, do not support business's expansions by showing up to openings (R&R), there are no tax incentives as Allentown is doing, and it hardly looks like main street Bethlehem on it's worse day. Easton has a waterfront that has its occasional concerton and a great city circle that constantly has ugly orange cones bc they think people are too stupid to drive correctly. The quality inn is allowed to have no curbside appeal along with numerous other entities but officials will make it difficult for a restaurant to put an outdoor dining area in bc of railing style. Makes no sense. It seems the officials only know how to create a new tax for current businneses which hardly is an incentive.

Gee Cindy you seem bitter. I see Easton officials at alot of openings. Maybe R&R eas on an inconvenient day. But didn't the council also invite them to a meeting to thank them for staying in Easton. Also, what new taxes are you talking about because I don't know of any. If anything I am shocked that the Administration has held the line without increases. You want curbside appeal but we live in America and the city can't just tell people what to do. Unless there is a code issue the only thing they can do is encourage owners to shape up and that I knwo the mayor does all the time. As for the cones in the circle, they help and that's what counts.

We confuse economic development with economic growth. Development means policy and intervention that leads to a better life. Growth means increases in productivity and may be a part of economic development. The Farmers Market is much like a circus. It comes to town. The elephants dance, the clowns clown and the lion roars. We buy peanuts. The Circus counts its money and leaves taking its money. Hardly development. The city has through numerous consultants written an economic development plan. Our elected officials have not deviated from the plan. There is probably a need to review the plan to determine progress. The plan is limited to the downtown business district and the Silk Mill. It stresses three initiatives: new housing, increase visitors and develop employment. Any economic activity needs to be weighed against those objectives. True, the farmers market does increase visitors. We need other drivers to build residences and jobs. Economic development does occur elsewhere in Easton but has never been part of the plan. There have been efforts to industrialize Canal and Lehigh Drive. Both attracted business investment but no real long term survivors. Perhaps our economic objectives need to be evaluated and include other areas. Everything is worth considering; we could use much improvement.