Uncategorized | Linda Rowe for Wilkes-Barre City Council

Opioid addiction is complicated, devastating and real. As I’ve walked our neighborhoods, it’s a topic on everyone’s mind because it affects people lives, the safety of our neighborhoods & city. To tackle this problem, we’ll need to start approaching it with new eyes. Programs like Somebody’s Someone is a resource for our local WBPD to help offenders break the cycle of arrest, release, repeat. Also, a program was piloted last October from the Luzerne County District Attorney’s office & Luzerne County Drug and Alcohol, which is a pre-arrest, second chance program which requires a commitment of a drug treatment plan in lieu of certain charges.
We know arrest and release does not end the cycle of addiction. We can do better. We need to give our Police & Fire/EMS the tools to fight this epidemic and residents the tools and knowledge of how to access paths to recovery.
Tackling this wont be easy, because there is not a quick fix or band aid. We’ll need the vigilance of our community and all of our surrounding communities to work together with county and state leaders as much as our local resources to fight this war on addiction.

If you’d like to share your story, please contact Linda at lindarowewb@gmail.com to share your success, suggestions or hurdles you’ve faced through recovery.

Dear Friends
I am excited to share some news with you that I have been considering and have now decided to take on with an unbounded optimism.

It is time for me to elevate what has been passionate support for my home, our city, to another level. I feel that I can best serve this mission by running for a seat on Wilkes-Barre City Council, in District C, where I have lived, raised a family and worked throughout the past 26 years. More than ever, the time is now to work together to bring a spirit of hope, respect and reverence for our home by expecting accountability of not only our leaders, our administration and all of its departments throughout the city, but also from ourselves as citizens.

While I care about all things in the city, you can expect a focus on fiscal responsibility with an expectation that taxes paid by our residents and business partners are spent wisely. I ask for all of us to evoke a sense of urgency in restoring the appearance of our city which includes the cleanliness of our streets, parks, business centers and neighborhoods. I expect our leaders to have a commitment to preserve our assets while partnering with those that wish to move our city forward with new investments, securing our future all while providing a welcoming, progressive and safe area for visitors. I also believe there are opportunities to work together with community groups and non-profits, which will alleviate budget concerns that support the mission of a more beautiful and safer Wilkes-Barre.

Throughout the years, many of you have encouraged me in this direction & I am ready to serve. I am hopeful that I can earn support and your VOTE, as I embark on this exciting journey.