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VANDALISM? CORRUPTION? HAVE NO WHERE ELSE TO TURN? NO STORY TOO BIG OR SMALL THE OSN WILL INVESTIGATE! Please email news tips to Hildelysiak@gmail.com
12/8/2016
By Hilde Kate Lysiak
The Borough Manager responded to criticism after the Orange Street News reported a popular restaurant is closing its doors in Selinsgrove.
Micheal’s owner Judy Stahl told the Orange Street News the reason she is forced to shut the doors because business has gotten so bad in Selinsgrove and she didn’t feel supported by public officials, who she says could do more to help business.
“Its very hard. There is not enough business in town,” Stahl told the OSN. “The Borough Council do not care about the businesses.
When asked how the borough could better support business Stahl mentioned possibly using grants like the Rudy Gelnett Fund.
Here is the full response in full from Borough Manager Paul Williams:
“The sole purpose of the Gelnett Trust is to promote the health, education and welfare of the citizens of the Borough of Selinsgrove by and through the distribution of the interest income for civic purposes. It specifically cannot be used for individuals for any purpose including loans.”
“The Gelnett Trust funds have been utilized to attract and bring patrons, downtown, to venues such as the Gelnett Summer Concert Series (funded with Gelnett) held in the Commons and Summertime Concerts at the Gazebo (funded with Gelnett) with the hope and anticipation that a restaurant such as Michael’s might benefit from attendees staying and dining there prior to or following the engagement. In the recent past, Piano Palooza, partially funded by Gelnett and sponsored by the Selinsgrove Projects, Inc. through their Main Street Manager’s outreach served as a functioning prop to attract patrons downtown to restaurants and other venues. I recall there being a camouflage piano outside of the gun shop for this purpose. I believe there was other pianos adopted by several business as well as located in the Commons. This month, there are a number of sponsored attractions of the Selinsgrove Area Chamber of Commerce and Selinsgrove Projects, Inc. drawing prospective patrons to businesses downtown, also.”
“There may be more than one reason that local businesses like Michael’s are challenged to be a profit-making business. It appears that Michael’s has a local following with patrons walking and driving to this destination. While comparing and contrasting their location with eating places north of Selinsgrove, you may find the traffic count of pass-by traffic to be greater on a daily basis than the local business district. For other retail stores, not only is the Susquehanna Mall and Marketplace located just north of Selinsgrove, but the news media reports on the increased activity and estimated dollars spent via the Internet by orders placed online.”
Orange Street News 
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