ARTICLE
When I was a boy, it seemed people worked long and hard and my dad was no different. When he was finally home, the routine was a late dinner and then into the living room to watch TV. “The Untouchables,” Ed Sullivan and “The Rifleman” were just a few of his favorites. I love the memories of sitting in what was often a smoke-filled living room watching TV with my dad. I know that sounds crazy today, but it seemed as if everyone smoked back then … and a lot. In the summer it was sitting in the kitchen at night listening to Byrum Saam or Harry Kalas call the Phillies games. We’d sit there listening to the static-filled AM station on the radio. You could tell a storm was coming by the crackling sound the radio would make with each far-away lightning bolt. It’s such a calming yet moving memory of the much simpler life. Once a year, my dad would take my brothers and me to the race track. I know it’s not the most all-American, Boy Scout type of quality father-son time, but I was with my dad and it was fun. My dad would laugh at me because I would always pick underdogs. I always felt this was a certain horse’s day to come out of his losing past and win big. And I’d win big with him. What can I say? I love and believe in underdogs. That’s why I love all of the you-never-give-up, hard-working Lehigh valley types.” Together we’ve fought through changes in the economy, major industrial shifts, evolving demographics and more. But, we pulled through. We reinvented our main streets and watched them slowly scratch their way back to destinations that even an underdog-lover would never have even dreamed possible. One local comeback story that deserves mention is our airport. In case you didn’t know, it’s our airport. It has our name, it was created by our counties and it’s run and protected by our neighbors. The board is made up of locals who put their time in because they want to serve their community. No compensation, just pride of service. Oh, I know we’d like more direct flights. We for sure wouldn’t mind cheaper flights and maybe more food and retail choices there but, all and all, that airport is back: back from paying off a major lawsuit; back from being down to an astounding three days’ cash on hand; back from considering selling assets; back from hard times and in a big way. Passenger and cargo air traffic is up. I mean, way up. Its reserves are climbing, and plans to improve and expand are in the works. It’s not about survival anymore. It’s about the future. It’s about expansion. It’s about becoming one of the best mid-size airports in the country. Like our PPL Center, our Coca-Cola Park, our lifestyle centers, the airport is offering the best a mid-size region can offer. As for major carriers, who wouldn’t want more? But there simply isn’t enough reason for the majors to invest. They know most customers are willing to drive an hour or so to Philadelphia, New Jersey or New York and suffer the inconvenience of major airports. But hang on, that may change in the future. We’re now living off somewhat the same math. I take the ever-expanding Allegiant service to Florida. I feel I know almost everyone in this Valley but l recognize few on the more than 180 passenger packed flights I’ve taken. Also, carriers such as American, Delta and United have all increased services to and from the Lehigh Valley. Tons of travelers are now driving from afar to fly out of LVIA, from places like New Jersey, New York and other points many miles from here. I ask them why they make the trip to our airport. They tell me it’s for easy travel, a clean airport, nice people (heck even the TSA workers are super friendly here) and it’s so much more convenient. So hats off to our airport’s executive director, Tom Stoudt, and his dedicated staff. And to my friend, his predecessor, Charles Everett Jr., who’s now running “little” airports like JFK and LaGuardia. Kudos to Chuck Diacont, the current chairman and others who have preceded him, such as Mike Dowd. And I salute the many committed board members like John Hayes and Frank Facchiano. To Allegiant Air and the additional legacy airlines that hung in and expanded over the past few years, we appreciate your commitment and vision of continued growth and success. The Flyers AHL affiliate could have gone anywhere. Heck, at one point the Phantoms were as far away as Maine. But, they came here. The Phillies too could have chosen any place in the state or east coast for their AAA farm team. But, they’re here. Elton John could have opened his monumental goodbye tour anywhere in the world. But, even he chose the Lehigh Valley. So, one day, one year, one decade at a time, we’re fighting back. Because you, the residents of the Valley, never stopped fighting. You are for sure made of the right stuff. Tony Iannelli is president and CEO of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at tonyi@lehighvalleychamber.org. Read the original article here.
When I was a boy, it seemed people worked long and hard and my dad was no different. When he was finally home, the routine was a late dinner and then into the living room to watch TV. “The Untouchables,” Ed Sullivan and “The Rifleman” were just a few of his favorites.
I love the memories of sitting in what was often a smoke-filled living room watching TV with my dad. I know that sounds crazy today, but it seemed as if everyone smoked back then … and a lot.
In the summer it was sitting in the kitchen at night listening to Byrum Saam or Harry Kalas call the Phillies games. We’d sit there listening to the static-filled AM station on the radio. You could tell a storm was coming by the crackling sound the radio would make with each far-away lightning bolt. It’s such a calming yet moving memory of the much simpler life.
Once a year, my dad would take my brothers and me to the race track. I know it’s not the most all-American, Boy Scout type of quality father-son time, but I was with my dad and it was fun. My dad would laugh at me because I would always pick underdogs. I always felt this was a certain horse’s day to come out of his losing past and win big. And I’d win big with him.
What can I say? I love and believe in underdogs. That’s why I love all of the you-never-give-up, hard-working Lehigh valley types.” Together we’ve fought through changes in the economy, major industrial shifts, evolving demographics and more. But, we pulled through. We reinvented our main streets and watched them slowly scratch their way back to destinations that even an underdog-lover would never have even dreamed possible.
One local comeback story that deserves mention is our airport. In case you didn’t know, it’s our airport. It has our name, it was created by our counties and it’s run and protected by our neighbors. The board is made up of locals who put their time in because they want to serve their community. No compensation, just pride of service.
Oh, I know we’d like more direct flights. We for sure wouldn’t mind cheaper flights and maybe more food and retail choices there but, all and all, that airport is back: back from paying off a major lawsuit; back from being down to an astounding three days’ cash on hand; back from considering selling assets; back from hard times and in a big way.
Passenger and cargo air traffic is up. I mean, way up. Its reserves are climbing, and plans to improve and expand are in the works. It’s not about survival anymore. It’s about the future. It’s about expansion. It’s about becoming one of the best mid-size airports in the country. Like our PPL Center, our Coca-Cola Park, our lifestyle centers, the airport is offering the best a mid-size region can offer.
As for major carriers, who wouldn’t want more? But there simply isn’t enough reason for the majors to invest. They know most customers are willing to drive an hour or so to Philadelphia, New Jersey or New York and suffer the inconvenience of major airports.
But hang on, that may change in the future.
We’re now living off somewhat the same math. I take the ever-expanding Allegiant service to Florida. I feel I know almost everyone in this Valley but l recognize few on the more than 180 passenger packed flights I’ve taken.
Also, carriers such as American, Delta and United have all increased services to and from the Lehigh Valley. Tons of travelers are now driving from afar to fly out of LVIA, from places like New Jersey, New York and other points many miles from here. I ask them why they make the trip to our airport. They tell me it’s for easy travel, a clean airport, nice people (heck even the TSA workers are super friendly here) and it’s so much more convenient.
So hats off to our airport’s executive director, Tom Stoudt, and his dedicated staff. And to my friend, his predecessor, Charles Everett Jr., who’s now running “little” airports like JFK and LaGuardia. Kudos to Chuck Diacont, the current chairman and others who have preceded him, such as Mike Dowd. And I salute the many committed board members like John Hayes and Frank Facchiano. To Allegiant Air and the additional legacy airlines that hung in and expanded over the past few years, we appreciate your commitment and vision of continued growth and success.
The Flyers AHL affiliate could have gone anywhere. Heck, at one point the Phantoms were as far away as Maine. But, they came here. The Phillies too could have chosen any place in the state or east coast for their AAA farm team. But, they’re here. Elton John could have opened his monumental goodbye tour anywhere in the world. But, even he chose the Lehigh Valley.
So, one day, one year, one decade at a time, we’re fighting back. Because you, the residents of the Valley, never stopped fighting. You are for sure made of the right stuff.
Tony Iannelli is president and CEO of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at tonyi@lehighvalleychamber.org.
Read the original article here.