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Stop Complaining, Do Something

WILKES-BARRE — A new billboard in Wilkes-Barre is stirring up conversation and a lot of questions. Among them are who put up the billboard and why. If you...
wb billboard

WILKES-BARRE -- A new billboard in Wilkes-Barre is stirring up conversation and a lot of questions. Among them are who put up the billboard and why.

If you've driven down North River Street, you may have noticed the billboard. It looks like a Twitter message that reads, "Hey @will_barre, if you don't like what people think of you, then change it!"

It turns out that @will_barre is a Twitter page a group of Wilkes University students made with messages they want Wilkes-Barre residents to see.

Chelsea LaPorta is a senior at Wilkes University. She helped take a project beyond the classroom and into the streets of Wilkes-Barre.

"We wanted to reach out to the whole city and really reflect on the fact that it is not that bad. There might be some crime and bad things happening, but there's also great and good things to go along with the city," LaPorta said.

So, when LaPorta along with five other business students were assigned to create a project that would leave a lasting impression, they put up this billboard on North River Street. They also created a corresponding Twitter page hoping to change the way some people in Wilkes-Barre view the area.

"Basically if you don't like what's going around you, go ahead and change it. It takes one person to make a difference among thousands," said LaPorta.

"It's very positive," said Matthew Thompson of Wilkes-Barre. "I think some people fall into the habit if they don't like something, they are just going to complain about it. And ultimately nothing changes that way."

"I think it's encouraging, you know? I think it can spark some change. You know, if people really swallow it and think about what the message is, it could spark some change," said Laurienne Abraham of Wilkes-Barre.

That's exactly what LaPorta and her classmates hope this does.

"Originally we wanted to be anonymous. It wasn't for the fame, it wasn't for the glory. It was more, we've been here for the past four years and we've tried to make it as great of a place but we needed everyone's help."

It cost about $800 to put the billboard up and the students raised that money. It will remain until the end of the month.

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