State Rep. Watro brings walking tour to Shenandoah

KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - State Rep. Dane Watro (R-116) at Main and Centre Street during Friday's walking tour.

SHENANDOAH – For the past month or so, State Rep. Dane Watro (R-116) has been — quite literally — taking to the streets to learn about the district and communities he serves and, Friday morning, it was Shenandoah’s turn.

The ex-McAdoo mayor began the tour, dubbed “Face The Future,” in Hazleton in late July. His district includes Hazleton, Shenandoah, Mahanoy City, Ringtown, McAdoo, West Hazleton and surrounding townships.

Watro walked the length of North Main Street, visiting businesses along the way and talking to residents, business owners, and borough officials, including a lengthy discussion at borough hall about blight and code enforcement.

KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL – State Rep. Dane Watro and staffers look at the former Woolworth’s/Family Dollar storefront on North Main Street during their walking tour Friday afternoon.

“I’m looking to be an asset to try to help them as much as I can do on the state level,” Watro said. “I know there are some bills out there I did vote for that will hopefully bring money back to communities like this.”

He noted that the needs vary greatly between the Schuylkill and Luzerne portions of his district.

“In the Luzerne portion of the district, they’re struggling to find housing,” Watro said. “Here, it’s a blight issue.”

KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL – State Rep. Dane Watro, right, speaks to Downtown Shenandoah, Inc. Executive Director Susan Williams.

Watro emphasized the importance of partnerships and hearing first-hand from residents about the issues they face.

“When I’m having discussions in Harrisburg, I can say I saw it and this is what my community needs back home,” Watro said.

Watro’s office says in a media release that residents or businesses can request a meeting with the representative as part of the Face the Future effort and should contact his downtown Hazleton office at 570-453-1344.

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