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Bugged by things in their neighborhoods, a number of area residents decided in recent months to do something about it, something very promising.

They didn’t simply whine.

They didn’t sit back and wish for government to whisk in and handle the job.

Instead, they took an up-by-our-own-bootstraps, all-American approach and appealed to like-minded citizens to join together, forming community groups to identify and conduct local improvement projects.

At least two residents associations recently got off the ground in Wilkes-Barre neighborhoods, and Duryea this week officially organized a borough-wide Betterment Committee.

Although established by the Duryea Borough Council, the latter group won’t be governed by it, according to Times Leader writer Nick Wagner’s article Wednesday. Betterment Committee proponent Art Pesotine led the push for the borough’s all-volunteer group and has been soliciting people’s project ideas via a suggestion box that he built and placed in the borough building annex. One project likely to be completed this year: creation of an honor roll, displaying names of Duryea residents killed while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

In December, meanwhile, people launched the South Wilkes-Barre Residents’ Association. Its stated goals are “to build relations between neighbors” and “create community involvement,” according to the group’s Facebook page. A meeting has been scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 22 at Firwood United Methodist Church. (For details, visit Facebook or send an email to [email protected].)

Not far away, the startup Heights-Mayflower Residents Association is appealing for participants. The association’s Facebook page indicates the group’s second meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Marymount Center, 154 S. Hancock St.

We hope similar efforts take root across the region. Whether motivated by civic pride or disaffection with government’s often slow and costly solutions, these grassroots crusades can build neighborly bonds and help to revive entire areas. Look at the accomplishments, for instance, of existing groups such as the Newport Township Community Organization. Since 2004, its members have conducted cleanups, holiday contests and children’s activities.

Imagine if all the area’s neighborhood groups – in conjunction with civic clubs, crime watch organizations and others – began to complement and coordinate their projects.

Participants might begin to realize their true power. And to make significant progress.