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NEWS AND COMMENTARY ON LANCASTER ISSUES THAT MATTER


Physician Praises New Addiction Treatment

At the annual year-end dinner of the Lancaster County Drug and Alcohol Commission, Dr. Samuel Rice spoke about heroin and opioid addictions and the need to reduce addicts' dependence on these substances in a humane and responsible way, including permitting them the use of synthetic opioid treatments such as methadone, which allow the patient to consume the substance in a more regulated way while also assisting in breaking the chemical addiction.

Dr. Rice was instrumental in bringing a detoxification hospital to Lancaster and continues to work as the Medical Director of the White Deer Run rehabilitation clinic, which has a Lancaster branch.

"Before we had a methadone clinic in Lancaster, addicts were driving daily to Coatesville to get their fixes, Dr. Rice said, arguing that it is inhumane to essentially force people to do this. "There are many people dying because they don't have medication-assisted treatments."

"I think there's too much stigma and too much red tape associated with methadone," Rice continued.

The bulk of Dr. Rice's speech, however, was devoted to talking about the success of a newer drug, similar to Methadone, called Suboxone or buprenorphine.

Suboxone, Dr. Rice explained, was specifically developed for opioid addiction, and is less addictive than its predecessor.

Dr. Rice highlighted a number of studies in which the drug was very successful. "In one study, 75% of those who received buprenorphine versus a placebo were retained at one year. No one in the placebo group was retained." "In another study, 80% of those with counseling and Suboxone were retained."

Suboxone is also unique in that it is available at the pharmacy with a prescription from any doctor who has been certified, which only requires a small amount of training.

Rice spoke of the need to get beyond stereotypes when it comes to heroin and opioid addictions. "Not everybody who's on Suboxone is necessarily a heroin addict who's in the gutter, although I see a lot of those patients too."

"I have a patient who is an international business executive who was an addict for 20 years who had repeatedly relapsed and finally came to see me." With the help of Suboxone, Rice continued, "he's doing much better now. He travels everywhere and takes his Suboxone with him."

"Lancaster is extremely fortunate that we have Rick Kastner and are able to provide many of the services that we do," Rice said.

The purpose of the event was "to thank the Commission staff and the drug and alcohol treatment providers" with whom the Commission partners, explained Executive Director Rick Kastner.

Kastner said that the Drug and Alcohol Commission has contracted with Ganse Apothecary to provide Suboxone "to at least 15 clients for whom we can afford to provide the treatment."

Kastner added, "We see a lot of heroin addicts come in and out of hospitals and clinics. They never seem to be able to get out of that revolving door."

Rice was presented the Professional Service Award for his 30 years of service, particularly in the area of addiction medicine.

Approximately 45 persons were in attendance at the dinner held at Millersville University, including County Commissioners Dick Shellenberger and Sharon Nelson.

11/20/07
Government Study Commission Seeks Help of League of Women Voters

In an effort to continue to educate the public about proposed changes to Lancaster County's form of government, a Lancaster County Government Study Commission volunteer spoke to the League of Women Voters Monday about who the study commission is and what they are doing.

Kaye Pulkrabek, who is also an active volunteer in Manheim Township, explained that the Government Study Commission was created by ballot initiative in 2006 to study and consider possible changes to Lancaster County's current form of government.

Currently, the three County Commissioners are the top elected officials in the County.

But that could change.

Having held some 30 meetings and interviewed some 55 individuals, including County employees at all levels, the Commission voted 8-3 on August 21st that changes should be made to County government, including increasing the number of County Commissioners to five and creating a County Executive position.

"It's an impossible job for three Commissioners to do," said Government Study Commission Chair Carol Phillips, who was present at Monday's briefing.

"The idea of a powerful executive frightens me," said Bonnie Miller, a member of the League of Women Voters.

Philips replied, "We are looking at an executive appointed by the five Commissioners, but by a super majority. It would take four out of the five."

The Government Study Commission is holding a meeting at 7 PM Tuesday at the Township Building in East Hempfield for the purpose of beginning to draft a Home Rule Charter.

"We are very desirous of a lot of public input," said Phillips. "We would most appreciate the help of the nonpartisan League of Women Voters in helping get the word out."

Phillips indicated that Home Rule has only been successful in those other counties which have really made the effort to educate and inform the public.

Government Study Commission member and recent judicial candidate Sam Mecum, who was also present, explained that the primary topics of discussion Tuesday night will include the precise powers and responsibilities of the County executive and how to implement minority party representation, including the idea of segmenting the County into seven distinct voting districts.

With Tuesday night's meeting, the Study Commission will be moving from the study phase of their mandate to the proposal phase.

11/19/07
Another Sunday News Puff Piece on Trolley Cars

In a 22 column-inch puff piece in the Sunday News of Nov. 18th headed "Streetcar group picks board, seeks momentum," less than one inch is devoted to the merest mention of wide scale public disenchantment with the proposal.

The article concedes in brief: "... there's been considerable criticism from those who worry that a streetcar system would be an expensive anachronism, dependent upon public subsidies to survive."

While trolley advocates are quoted at length, there isn't a single comment from opponents of the project. This is typical of how the monopoly newspapers cover projects endorsed by their owners. Whatever happened to the days when the newspapers would take opposing sides on local issues?

Totally disregarded are the low ridership on the current "trolley bus" (only eight passengers per hour); traffic congestion caused by the trolleys running in the center of the street and, at intersections, in the curb side lane; dangers to pedestrians because of silent running and slow braking; and whether the estimated $300,000 annual deficit is a far too optimistic projection.

The power elite has been drafting board members from every institution in town to make a show (more a sham) of support for the project. But critics have yet to be invited to participate.

11/18/07
LETTER: Faulty Visions

The "vision" for Lancaster City in the 1960s and 1970s resulted in the fiasco known as "Urban Renewal" including Lancaster Square, where irreplaceable history, livability, walkability, and even TWO downtown Farmer's Markets were sacrificed for an unrealistic Utopian plan from which Lancaster City has never recovered. (Besides the Central Market, the Arcade Market was off N. Prince St).

It would appear that there IS a contemporary "vision" for downtown Lancaster. The plan is to re-invent downtown Lancaster as a place where tourists, business people, and the financially well-off would want to congregate and spend money. This is evidenced by the emphasis on the arts, including art galleries, the PCA&D, the Academy of Music, the proposed trolleys, and of course the taxpayer-financed hotel and convention center project.

The fatal flaw in this "vision" is that it ignores the vast majority of Lancaster City residents. Working people can't afford to spend hundreds of dollars on pieces of art, little things like groceries and a place to live take up too much of our income. Neither can working people afford tickets to performing arts. Working people and their families don't attend conventions. And people who shop primarily at Wal-Mart, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, or Sav-A-Lot won't be shopping at any consumer shows.

The one piece of "economic development" which has so far resulted from the taxpayer-financed hotel and convention center project proves this point. Zimmerman's Family Restaurant is now a yuppie bar. Zimmerman's regulars are mostly gone, replaced with a more upscale crowd.

The problem with this "vision" is its sustainability. When "economic development" is based on the shifting sands of luxury spending, its future is cloudy at best. Had the vision for downtown Lancaster been built on the solid rock of drawing residents to live, shop, and play downtown, the future of Lancaster would have been far more secure.

Personally, I am convinced that the inevitable expenses from the taxpayer-financed hotel and convention center project, the streetcar project, and other costs associated with this contemporary "vision" will harm Lancaster City residents far more than they could ever possibly benefit from any of these.

11/17/07
LETTER: No Clear, Viable City Vision

Once the Youth Intervention Center was constructed at Sunnyside, particularly in its prominent location, the peninsula was cursed with its identity. I would be afraid that if low-income housing were to be constructed on Sunnyside, it would resemble the horror ridden housing projects of the 1960s: isolated by the poverty as well as geography.

There are no simple answers. I watched my College Avenue neighborhood disintegrate after the F&M housing was constructed in the late '80s. The college students were herded into the dorms and their humble apartments went to the lower income families. A year after I sold and left, the block was deemed "blighted" in the press by the candidates for city council. Needless to say, my compassion has its limitations.

This "conversation" is not a non-sequitur to this newsgroup. There has been no clear, viable vision for the city since the 1970s (or earlier) from governmental entities. While Old Towne and similar private projects exemplify great skill, talent and vision, there is no genuine plan to address the looming future.

I am not convinced that a prison must be built in the city. Ryker's is not particularly convenient to the NYC courthouses.

The next pending debacle will be Lancaster Square. (Unless, of course, the trolley rears its head.

11/17/07
A Call for a County Health Department

In its Nov. 16th newsletter, The Hour Glass Foundation calls for the establishment of a Lancaster County Public Health Department.

It cites a Drexel University study which "identified significant gaps in the coordination of public health services in Lancaster County, including environmental hazards such as water quality and lead exposure, solid waste management and vector control, as well as emergency preparedness and coordination."

The news letter also states "...a public health department in Lancaster County could coordinate public health-related activities throughout the county, collect and maintain information on public health-related activities and monitor the health status of the population, and be the go-to place for residents with public health related concerns.”

The Hour Glass Foundation was formed in 1997 for the purpose of "Enabling informed growth management decision-making for Lancaster County."

11/17/07
Manheim Township Commissioners Hear Testimony Regarding Crossings Plan

In one of a number of ongoing public hearings, the Manheim Township Commissioners heard four hours of testimony Thursday night, including complaints from residents adjacent to the proposed Conestoga Crossings shopping center, and cross-examination of a consultant hired to review the traffic study.

In what was essentially a legal proceeding, Harrisburg attorney Bill Cluck called witnesses to testify concerning the feasibility of the proposed development. Cluck made headlines last month when the Commissioners refused to accept testimony from his coalition of anonymous clients, "Lancaster for Smart Growth," on the grounds that they do not constitute a bona fide organization.

Attorneys for the High Real Estate Group then had the opportunity to cross-examine.

John Nawt, a consultant with GAI, called by Mr. Cluck as an expert witness on traffic engineering, responded to questioning from High Group attorney Caroline Hoffer regarding specific points in his previously-submitted written testimony.

Nawt stressed that the Crossings shopping center "cannot open until the bridge and road developments are substantially completed" under current township ordinances and spoke of the need for comparing "current-year traffic conditions" to "opening-year traffic conditions" in order to get it right.

He also criticized the two High-Group-commissioned Traffic Planning & Design, Inc. (TPD) traffic studies for failing to address "right-of-way" issues associated with the proposed traffic modifications.

At one point, High Group attorney Caroline Hoffer forced Nawt to admit that the current land use ordinance does indeed permit the construction of office buildings, contrary to what he had asserted earlier in the night.

Two previously-anonymous residents Mr. Cluck called to testify were Mike Stephenson and Dori Dianna, who live together at 1101 Farmingdale Road across the Conestoga Creek from the proposed site.

The couple have owned the 3-acre tract of land for 16 years and enjoy the peace and quiet of their property. "It's secluded, it's quiet, other than route 30 traffic, and I have no neighbors," Dianna said. "I like the outdoors and I enjoy the wildlife and just the privacy."

She also indicated that the Creek is prone to flooding, recalling an instance in June of 2000 when the water level rose to "within 30 feet" of her residence. "The water table also sometimes rises and floods my basement," she said.

Asked by her attorney, Mr. Cluck, about how the development might affect her quality of life, Dianna indicated that there are already traffic delays of up to 15 minutes associated with the railroad crossing on the southern end of Farmingdale between Oreville Road and Wickersham Lane and said, "I can't imagine all that increased traffic on Farmingdale. There would definitely be an increase in accidents."

Some of these accidents, she said, end up in her front yard.

She also listed noise, trash, and pollution as concerns. She concluded by saying, "I don't feel that the proposed shopping center is a responsible use of the land."

Mike Stephenson echoed his partner's concerns. "We have well water," he said. "All four houses down at the end there have well water. We're going to get significant runoff of antifreeze and oil and things from cars that are going to pollute our aquifer."

"Construction of a large parking garage and the lighting for it will probably pose a large problem for us," he continued. "I think our property value will decrease with a large parking garage adjacent our house rather than just corn."

Asked on cross-examination by Paul Minick, an attorney for the High Group, whether she "would like to see the property stay as it is," Dori Dianna admitted, "That would be nice, but it's not realistic."

Carol Simpson, President of the Board of Manheim Township Commissioners told them, "Let me assure you that we are sensitive to your concerns."

She then said, "Let me respond to your statement that this is not a responsible use of the land. What, in your view, would constitute a responsible use of the land?"

Dianna searched for an answer, saying, "I am not an expert, so I don't know if I can really answer that but this is a huge project with a lot of potential adverse effects."

No questions were asked or substantive comments made by the handful of members of the public who attended the four-hour hearing at the Manheim Township Municipal Office Building, Thursday night.

The next hearing is scheduled for Monday, December 17th in the same location.

11/16/07
Convention Center Bookings Anticipated

At Wednesday's Marketing and Hospitality Committee meeting of the Convention Center Authority, Josh Nowak, local Director of Sales and Marketing for Interstate Hotels and Resorts, reported that there have been no new signed contracts since the October LCCCA Marketing and Hospitality Committee meeting. However, negotiations are in an advanced stage with two separate "fraternal" organizations, one of which is religious, both of which plan to book convention space for the next three years.

According to Nowak, both organizations would have meetings of similar size, each meeting of which would bring 3,000 to 4,000 people into downtown Lancaster over a three to four day period over a weekend. Together these organizations have the potential to generate $65,000 in exhibit hall rentals and about $700,000 in hotel room rentals over the three year period of these two pending contracts. In addition, two other organizations have signed unofficial "letters of intent" to book space.

Nowak also announced that pre-opening expenses were $5,450 below budget for their most recent month, and $64,170 below budget year to date. Interstate Hotels has been pursuing an aggressive schedule of attending convention sales events in places like Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Atlantic City. Mr. Nowak has also been organizing "familiarization tours" or "fam tours" as a part of their "sales blitz," which since the project is still under construction consists primarily of visiting potential customers, organizations, and convention marketing events to make presentations.

Chris Barrett, President & CEO of the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau reported that there are 21 trade shows scheduled in Lancaster County so far for 2008, a base they hope to be able to build on.

11/15/07
Commentary: Hunger Leads to Bad Choices

According to a recent Associated Press article, the U S. Agriculture Department reported that 35.5 million people went hungry for at least some portion of last year.

What the article does not mention is a problem equally if not even more serious. Poor people by necessity consume the worst type of diets, filling themselves with starches and sweets to ward off hunger pains. One can readily observe that poor people in the USA tend to be obese, not emaciated as is the case in countries were people actually are near starvation.

A poor diet combined with being overweight undermines their health, vigor, generates health breakdowns that are expensive to treat (often directly or indirectly at the public's expense), and shortens life span. And poor eating practices continue as part of life style even when adequate funds become available.

Tragically, the bad dietary habits of the parents are passed on to their children by what is served and the dietary example set.

Poverty costs too much to be tolerated by society. A combination of education, moral suasion and food stamps are all part of an amelioration.

A very helpful government program is to subsidize lunches and sometimes breakfasts served in public schools. NewsLanc is researching and will address how well the school child feeding program is succeeding in the Lancaster City School District in coming months.

11/15/07
Trashy Waste Management Statistics?

In response to a NewsLanc inquiry of Michael J. Devaney, Manager of the City's Bureau of Solid Waste & Recycling, about the accuracy of information he delivered at the City Council meeting yesterday, he responded as follows:

"The average number of pounds per home generated dropped drastically from 2006 to 2007. Prior to the start of the refuse and recycling, the City had nearly 4,000 units with no refuse or recycling collection and those 11,163 units were averaging approximately 87.7 pounds of waste per week. Now, with 16,385 participating households we have seen the average pounds of waste generated weekly drop to 41 pounds, or a 54% improvement. A single hauler refuse collection system lends itself to more accurate data collection."

NewsLanc cautions readers that these figures may not compare 'apples with apples' or are based on questionable data. It is improbable that citizen residents would generate 46% less trash in 2007 than in 2006 regardless of who was doing the hauling.

11/14/07
Recorder of Deeds Blasts Election Handling

At the Commissioners' public meeting Wednesday morning, County Recorder of Deeds Steve McDonald criticized the County's handling of last week's elections.

At issue were comments made by County Director of Elections Mary Stehman to the Sunday News, in which she acknowledged problems with many voters having cast two votes for the same candidate on the three-page ballot. Stehman said that the County Elections Board is in consultation with Hart, the manufacturer of the voting machines, to help resolve these issues.

"The 'Help America Vote Act' directed us to educate the public about elections and how to vote," McDonald pointed out. He likened Stehman's comments to those of a losing football coach who says, "Although we came in with a plan, we really didn't implement it well" as if such issues were unanticipated.

"There was no education, no speakers bureau, no explanation on the county website, no explanation of what the public should expect when they got to the polling place. We would have expected that, if there was going to be potential confusion with the ballot, that we would have had more education and assistance out there," he continued. "The director's comments particularly concern me because there was a clear identification of what would happen, but no actions to account for these issues."

Commissioner Molly Henderson noted that the ballot was perhaps "cumbersome" for many because of its length. Commissioner Sharon Nelson said that she did not personally witness any voting problems, but understands how the ballot could have been "very confusing." Nelson went on to say, "The training for poll workers is also very complex and, for those volunteers who do not attend training, I'm amazed that they are able to understand what's going on."

11/14/07
County Appoints New Director of Human Resources

At their weekly public meeting Wednesday morning, the County Commissioners voted to hire Jane E'Del as Director of Human Resources for the County of Lancaster effective November 19th, 2007 with an annual salary of $87,500.

The County screened 20 candidates from a nationwide search, interviewed four candidates, and recommended two highly qualified candidates to the Commissioners. Ms. E'Del was selected for her education and experience.

Born and raised in Lancaster, she holds a Master's degree in Human Resource Management from Saint Francis of Loretto University and is an adjunct instructor in Human Resource Management at that institution. She has twenty years of business experience, for the past three of which she served as Director of Human Resources for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association. She also holds a certification in Equal Opportunity Employment Counseling.

Ms. E'Del will replace current part-time Acting Director of Human Resources, Bonnie Ashworth.

11/14/07
Neither Intell or NewsLanc Reports on Trash Add Up

According to the Nov. 14th Intelligencer Journal report on the City Council meeting the evening earlier: "The City saw a 54 percent decrease in the amount of refuse collected from January to June of this year compared with numbers from 2006, Michael Devaney, manager of the city's Bureau of Solid Waste & Recycling, said during a report to City Council. For the same time period, the city saw a 68 percent increase in the number of households that participate in recycling."

NewsLanc's reporter noted similar statistics.

But NewsLanc's editor finds it highly improbably that city folk are discarding 46% less trash than last year. Clearly something else is involved. Therefore NewsLanc will follow up with the Bureau of Solid Waste & Recycling to find out what actually has occurred and bring accurate information to its readers.

11/14/07
Are Convention Center and Hotel Bonds Junk?

LETTER:

If a municipality issues a bond and the bonds trade in the market place and have a total face value of $20 million, what is the market value of these [convention center and hotel] bonds? I believe they may be JUNK!!!!

EDITOR:

The convention center and hotel bonds would indeed be junk bonds were they not guaranteed by Wachovia Bank for five years. As a result of Wachovia's guarantee, the bonds are rated AA and constantly resold at then-prevailing interest rates for loans of only two week duration. (Such bonds are often called "low floaters.") Since interest rates for very short terms are historically much lower than interest rates for a year or more, this results in considerable savings. "Swaps" are used to prevent a large swing in interest rates either up or down for the bonds issued for the convention center and the hotel.

For the bond guarantees, Wachovia annually is paid slightly less than 1% of the amount of outstanding debt.

At the end of five years, the LCCCA and Penn Square Partners will either have to find another creditworthy source to take over the guarantee of their respective bonds, or Wachovia will need to renew its guarantee, or, if neither is available, Wachovia would have to buy up all the bonds. While this seems like an innocuous undertaking for so large and apparently solvent an institution, there is no way to predict for certain the nature of the economy and the credit market five years hence.

For example, the current financial strains triggered by sub-prime lending has caused Wachovia to write off billions in losses. We are currently in the midst of a relatively silent but arguably the most serious fiscal crisis in decades, perhaps since the Great Depression. One indication is the fall of the dollar over the past several years from about $0.80 to the EURO to the recent $1.47 to the EURO.

If the convention center and the hotel are performing poorly, this will further complicate matters. No other institution may be willing to guarantee the debt and Wachovia would be under pressure from its bank examiners to foreclose or set aside large reserves to cover potential future losses.

11/14/07
LCCCA Reports to City Council re Minority Hiring

The extent of minority-owned contractor investment in the Convention Center Project was among the topics discussed at Tuesday night's Lancaster City Council meeting.

Convention Center Authority Chairman Art Morris reported $10.6 million in "Minorities-Owned Business Enterprises" (MBE) and $5.7 million in "Women-Owned Business Enterprises" (WBE) contract bids awarded.

He reiterated that the authority "does not set goals for workforce participation" but merely for MBE & WBE inclusion. "We do not track total new hires," Morris continued.

In response to a question from City Council President Julianne Dickson, however, Morris said that of all workers at the construction site, "40% are women and minorities."

Morris stressed that "while the Convention Center Authority is able to facilitate the process, we do not have any financial resources available to commit to job training." "Success of such a program," he continued, "will rely on MBE and WBE organizations to identify candidates."

The General Manager of the Hotel and Convention Center, to be hired by the Authority in December, will be in charge of hiring decisions and will be "a very important person," according to Morris.

City resident Randolph Carney asked Mr. Morris if he had a number or percentage of full-time jobs that will be available upon the opening of the Convention center, stressing the need for a livable wage. Morris responded that he does not have those numbers at this time.

11/14/07
County to Apply for Federal Historical Preservation Funds

The County Commissioners are expected to vote Wednesday on a resolution introduced by Scott Standish, Director of Long Range and Heritage Planning for the Lancaster County Planning Commission, which seeks to designate the County as a "Preserve America" Community.

The "Preserve America" program was introduced by Executive Order of President Bush on March 3, 2003. It directs federal agencies to coordinate with and assist state, local and private-sector entities to promote heritage awareness, responsible economic development, and tourism.

"What this program does is bring recognition to those who are doing their part to preserve our heritage," explained Standish.

11/14/07
Saving Children

Whether Pro-Life or Pro-Choice, all are disturbed about the following:

"The United States ranks near the bottom for infant survival rates among modernized nations. A Save the Children report last year placed the United States ahead of only Latvia, and tied with Hungary, Malta, Poland and Slovakia." - Associated Press

In 2008, NewsLanc plans to write about health care in Lancaster. Looking at a single region will provide visitors with insights into what is taking place here at home and the broader issue of national health policy.

Hopefully we will spark a constructive debate among NewsLanc viewers.

11/12/07
Wachovia Bank Experiences Huge Losses

According to published reports, Wachovia Bank, the guarantor of the Convention Center / Hotel Project bonds, experienced a loss in the value of its mortgage-related securities of $1.1 billion last month. This was in addition to writing down $1.3 billion for the third quarter of the year. And, as is the situation with many financial institutions impacted by the subprime mortgage implosion, the extent of current and future losses remains indeterminate.

Better timing could not have been found for the sale of Project bonds. Interest rates were at a low, lenders were throwing money around, and it was just before the worst institutional financial crisis in the past decades became apparent.

Sometimes the bad guys get lucky!

11/11/07
LETTER: County Office Building a "Wise Investment"

The Lancaster Sunday News published on November 11, 2007 carried a front page article titled, "Money pit on North Queen."

The Lancaster Newspapers are ALREADY making excuses for Lehman and Martin and Stuckey.

The new County Commissioners have not yet even taken office, and have not yet had a chance to look at the numbers. Lehman and Martin and Stuckey have NO IDEA if selling 150 N. Queen St. is feasible or not.

The 150 N. Queen St. building is well over 30 years old, and was desperately in need of major renovations. The previous owner had made no indication that he planned to bring the building into compliance with Lancaster City code and safety standards.

Then there is the issue of renting vs. purchasing. The previous owner would have had to dramatically increase the rent, perhaps even double it, if he had paid to renovate the building so it would pass Lancaster City code inspections. The inevitably much higher rent easily justifies the County's purchase of the building instead of renting.

As for the purchase price: the previous owner was paid the assessed value for the building. *Can you imagine the headlines if County Commissioners Shaub, Henderson, and Shellenberger had paid over TWICE the amount that the building was assessed for?*

The truth is, the County purchase of 150 N. Queen St. will prove to be a wise investment long before the terms of County Commissioners-elect Lehman and Martin and Stuckey have expired.

11/11/07
LETTER: Sunday News "Fatherly Advice" to Commissioners-Elect

In his editorial column published on November 11, 2007 (not available online), Sunday News editor Marv Adams gives some fatherly advice to County Commissioners-elect Lehman, Martin, and Stuckey. It is obvious that Marv Adams expects them to be quiet and compliant.

Lancaster County faces major challenges over the next four years. The move of County offices must be completed, and additional court rooms must be built. The ultimate fate of Sunnyside will likely be decided. Funding for farmland preservation will be examined, likely to be cut significantly. And the population of Lancaster County will exceed half a million.

The final report of the "Government Study Commission" will be made public in a matter of months. Much effort will be made to convince the public to adopt whatever is proposed. The next election for County Commissioner will likely look very different than the election of 2007. And Craig Lehman may very well be the last Democrat to ever be seated as a Lancaster County Commissioner.

Four years from now, the convention center will have been open for two and one half years, assuming the current schedule is achievable. By then, the amount of economic development generated by the project should be at least partially known. The final cost of constructing the facility will be public knowledge, and some idea of the operational losses of the convention center will be known.

Will Lehman and Martin and Stuckey raise taxes to keep the convention center from closing, and violate their campaign promises? How will Lehman and Martin and Stuckey fund other County programs and initiatives? Will Lehman and Martin and Stuckey freeze or even shrink the size of County government? Or, will they follow in the footsteps of their spiritual forebears, former County Commissioners Paul Thibault, Terry Kauffman, and Ron Ford, and continue to increase County spending much faster than the rate of inflation?

But most important of all:

What will Marv Adams - or his successor - be writing about Commissioners Lehman and Martin and Stuckey two, three, and four years from now?

My prediction is that as long as Lehman and Martin and Stuckey toe the line drawn by Marv Adams (or his successor), they will be commended and praised. But if Lehman or Martin or Stuckey start asking hard questions, they will be treated every bit as slanderously as Henderson and Shellenberger have been.

Just wait and see.

11/11/07
"Peace and Quiet" or License to Steal?

In its editorial of Nov. 11th, the Sunday News interprets the recent elections as a sign that "Maybe what voters really want is peace and quiet."

It goes on to say "...the electorate seems to be sending a message that people are tired of upheaval and dissension." Later it states: "Find a way to rebuild consensus .... Rebuild shattered morale among county employees .... Answer tough questions when they come .... Show principle and integrity..."

Penultimately it proclaims: "The best way to rebuild [broken trust with the voters] is by transparency and accountability."

NewsLanc sadly agrees that the voters want peace and quiet. But commissioner acquiescence to The Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. (LNP), The High Group and others who use their power to rip off the taxpayers was hardly in voters' interest.

The morale at the three newspapers due to its years of unethical reporting on behalf of their parent company interests requires more rebuilding than do that of county employees. With the unlamented resignation of commissioner Pete Shaub, relative peace descended on the county government.

Concerning answering tough questions, when will our three newspapers start asking them....such as why is Penn Square Partners (a/k/a Penn Square Pigs) receiving half of the proceeds for the Naming Rights to the publicly owned Convention Center when their only investment is in the hotel?

As for transparency, note that the Sunday News explicitly damns coroner Dr. Gary Kirchner for "refusing to file his records with the prothonotary" and for "guinea pigs, for heaven's sake." But it makes no mention of reporters from the Intelligencer Journal illegally obtaining information from Kirchner, for which they were accused of a crime by state authorities. Some transparency!

Let the Sunday News, the Intelligencer Journal and the New Era look into the mirror to see who really lacked "principles." Shellenberger and Henderson sacrificed themselves for the public good in resisting taxpayer guarantees of debt for the Convention Center Project. The newspapers ran interference for a Convention Center Authority under the sway of Penn Square Partners (a/k/a...) and permitted what was supposed to be a $70 million project half funded by private enterprise to swell to what now will likely reach $200 million almost totally at taxpayer expense and risk.

Let editors Marv Adams and Gil Smart dare to investigate their own house. Then we will see a display of principles ... but it will be very brief, for sure.

11/11/07
"People in Glass Houses...."

A sound editorial in the Nov. 10 Intelligencer Journal turns ironic when it concludes as follows: "It also shows that there's been no fundamental change in Washington in that those with the most money usually can buy the legislation they want."

Legislation benefiting the Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. and The High Group (AKA Penn Square Partners) certainly has established that the same holds true for Harrisburg!

11/10/07
Thoughts Concerning the Consolidation of the Saturday Intell and New Era

1) Until recently, the Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. (LNP) had done a great job in keeping three papers viable while the trend in the rest of the country has been otherwise. (The once mighty afternoon Philadelphia Bulletin fell about 30 years ago.) A radio executive pointed out recently that newspapers are growing thinner due to a drop in advertisements. And over the last couple of years LNP's biased conduct - especially the New Era - has offended many of its readers in peripheral areas where they can choose to take the Reading, Harrisburg, York, Chester or Philadelphia papers. And then there are those who are turning exclusively to the Internet. Furthermore, discount coupons that have enabled the expensive Sunday News to have a circulation larger than the combined Intell and New Era can now be downloaded even more readily than one can cut them out. In time, NewsLanc can help to facilitate the process through links.

2) What we are seeing in Lancaster newspaper partisanship is not atypical of journalism throughout the history of our country. However, what is different is the participation of the monopoly newspapers in what many consider a gigantic rip off of the taxpayers (the convention center / hotel project), its continuing chronyism on behalf of its partner The High Group, and its potential for future raids on the public treasury and other ethical abuses. In this LNP has broken new ground. And for this NewsLanc and others must hold it fully responsible.

3) With proper leadership – people who are more committed to the job than to themselves – NewsLanc will rival LNP in ten years and possibly supplant it in twenty. Everything is shifting to the Internet and there will be still further alternatives available, all at the expense of the newspapers which face ever increasing costs of paper, wages, and circulation. In five to ten years LNP may cease to be profitable and, in time, may run big losses . . . provided NewsLanc remains, builds an organization with perhaps ten reporters, seizes classified and other forms of advertisements, develops an extensive readership list (NewsLanc can send the "paper," we don't need to deliver it nor will our readers need to come to us), and wins the confidence of countians.

The times are propitious and NewsLanc has the vision and the money. The question is will it be able to attract dedicated, competent journalists?

11/10/07
Progress Continues at Convention Center Site

At their November 8th Facilities Programming Committee meeting, the members of that Committee received an update on construction progress at the convention center site from Tom Smithgall of High Associates and Tim Sullivan of Reynolds Construction Management.

"The underground plumbing is now essentially installed," reported Sullivan. "We have made progress on the electrical work, 60% of bowstring trusses are now erected, and the installation of a large grease trap near the exhibit dock loading street area is complete."

Smithgall reported progress on utility connections, including water. One issue that remains is installing gas. "The nearest gas hookup is in front of Trinity Lutheran Church on South Duke Street and we'll need to run an extension over to the site," he explained.

Present on the Facilities Programming Committee Thursday night was Kevin Fry, who was appointed by the Commissioners to the Convention Center Authority Board late last month. Fry listened attentively to the reports and asked Sullivan if he could schedule a tour of the construction site.

11/9/07
"New Era . . . Going, Going, Gone?"

A posting at 5thEstate.com reports that top executives of Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. conducted two meetings with staff at the Lancaster Newspapers, Inc.'s office on Thursday, Nov. 8, to discuss a drop in circulation for both the New Era and the Sunday News, the resulting revenue problems, and the lay-off of five New Era employees. The article also states that Intelligencer Journal circulation is slightly up.

Separately, a regional manager for a radio chain informed NewsLanc that, in general, revenue of radio stations and newspapers has been heavily impacted as the result of advertisers deserting to the Internet.

11/9/07
Downtown "Trolley" Bus Carries Only 96 Passengers Daily

According to a spokesperson for the Red Rose Transit Authority, the trolley bus carries 2,900 passengers a month. That comes to 96 daily and, based on the 12 hour daily schedule, an average of about 8 an hour.

Businesses normally expand and upgrade when there is strong demand for their product and services.

Does it seem logical to spend $14 million of taxpayer money to bring back trolley cars and to subsidize the service for upwards of $300,000 a year when there is so little indication of demand?

At the present ridership rate of 34,800 per year, $300,000 annually would subsidize each ride by over $8!!!

Wouldn't it make business sense to first publicize the bus trolley loop and provide it free or for fifty cents instead of the current $1.35 to determine how much demand exists?

11/7/07
What History Teaches Us

In "American Creation," Pulitzer Prize winning author Joseph J. Ellis describes how, during the final four years of the War of Independence, George Washington deployed most of his troops to create a line separating the English forces from the bulk of the population in order to prevent the colonists from going over to the Tory cause. Support had ebbed and flowed for the American cause depending upon whose troops were nearby.

Ellis points out that by 1778, the majority of the people simply wanted the war to end so they could get on with business and a normal way of life. So much for "freedom fighters!"

With this in mind, one can better understand the lack of attention most of the population of Lancaster showed in selecting commissioners to the outrages concerning the convention center / hotel project. If people are not willing to support efforts to free them from foreign oppression, how likely are they to get riled up over the misconduct of the local monopoly newspapers and the power elite?

11/7/07
Martin, Stuckey, Lehman Elected as Commissioners; Totaro Leads Five Republicans to Judge Victories

There is an old saying which must be reverberating for Molly Henderson this day after election: "Don't get in a p---ing contest with a skunk," the skunk in this case being the monopoly Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. Plucky Molly went down to defeat with 16,872 votes vs. fellow Democrat Craig Lehman's 24,916.

Meanwhile cross-filed Donald Totaro led all Common Pleas Judge Candidates with a whopping 52,124 votes, vs. 37,641 for Margaret Miller with the four other Republican candidates just slightly behind.

Nelson Polite, Jr., Joe Morales and Pat Coller, all Democrats, swept the Lancaster City Council elections.

A triumphant Lancaster Mayor Rick Gray who led the campaign in the Democratic party against incumbent commissioner Henderson told a NewsLanc reporter: "It's a good night for Democrats, whether you're from the city or the county."

After his mugging by the dragged out grand jury investigation and District Attorney Totaro's and the newspapers' distortions of its findings, Commissioner Dick Shellenberger surveyed the political landscape and declined to stand for reelection. Henderson fought the good battle but, despite an expensive media campaign and an exhausting schedule of pressing the flesh, she was unable to overcome Totaro's grand jury witch hunt and the way its findings had been portrayed in the monopoly Lancaster newspapers.

NewsLanc wishes the victors well. But we will be watching!

11/7/07
Editorial: New Era Election Day Editorial Sinks to New Low

Disregarding the custom of newspapers not to editorialize about candidates on election day, New Era Editor-in-Chief Ernie Schreiber turned history upside down with the following distortion: "Voters have a chance today to chart a new course for the county commissioners' office, one based on fiscal responsibility and conservative Lancaster County values that were somehow lost the last time around."

"Fiscal responsibility?" Wasn't opposing a county guarantee of convention center bonds and the sale of Conestoga View Nursing Home the height of conservative fiscal responsibility? George Bush ran on privatization and has practiced it to what many consider an excess over the past six years.

"Lost the last time around?" Dick Shellenberger has been Mr. Social Conservative throughout his term.

"Conservative Lancaster County values?" What could be more conservative than farmland preservation and resisting tax guarantees of bonds for a convention center / hotel project that has exploded in cost over the past few years from $70 million to close to $200 million?

This was Schreiber's last shot at plucky Molly Henderson. He saved his salvo for election day. But that's Schreiber's way. As NewsLanc stated some months ago, the sooner the monopoly newspapers get rid of mean-spirited Schreiber, the better. His exit would be a sign of a desire to return to traditional unbiased journalism.

11/6/07
New Era Again Puts Headlines Ahead of Democracy

Before the morning of election day was over (11:38am to be precise), the New Era was reporting the following:

"LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - Republicans Scott Martin and Dennis Stuckey grabbed convincing but unsurprising leads in the race for Lancaster County commissioner, a New Era survey of early-morning voters found.

"And for the third seat, historically held by a member of the minority party in this solidly GOP county, Democrat Craig Lehman was charging ahead of both incumbent Democrat Molly Henderson and independent candidate Jere Swarr, the informal survey found."

Such reporting, especially as it applies to candidate Molly Henderson, is extremely prejudicial to candidates running behind in a tight race. It discourages their supporters to go to the polls.

The sampling was only of 131 voters. Certainly the time of day and the location of the polling would tend to skew the results. Also this is a statistically insufficient sampling.

The New Era knows that. It calls this an "informal poll." If it isn't legitimate, why publish it?

So what is the purpose? To sell newspapers at the expense of democracy? To undermine the chances of incumbent Commissioner Henderson?

NewsLanc's president Robert Field brought the unfairness of such reporting to the attention of New Era Editor-In-Chief Ernie Schreiber after the 2006 elections. He dismissed the complaints out of hand.

11/6/07
Commission Solicits Public Input for Long-Term Transportation Plan

In their first of three initial public forums Monday night, the Lancaster County Planning Commission provided attendees with a brief overview of their mission and obtained feedback from nearly every audience member in the room.

"The question is, What are the transportation issues that need to be addressed today to prepare for the next 25 years?" explained consultant Debbie Thompson of Strategy Solutions.

The County's Long Range Transportation Plan was last updated four years ago.

"I think one of the weaknesses of the current plan is that it does not have a strong implementation component," Brian Funkhouser, a consultant with the Harrisburg-based Gannett Flemming group, said to the audience. "PENNDOT and others need to be aware of what the plan goals are and what their role is in the implementation."

Certainly the most innovative and productive part of the evening came when the approximately 35 attendees of last night's forum at Southern Market Center were asked to respond to a number of questions about transportation priorities using a wireless response device similar to that used in many TV game shows.

The first question was a demographic one. By gathering their wireless keypad responses, the consultants were able to report that, at the time the question was asked, 11 attendees were from the city, 13 from the suburbs, and 6 from elsewhere in the County.

Out of some 40 categories audience members were asked to rank in importance, the leading concerns were:
  • Transportation investments align with land use planning
  • Congestion
  • Air quality
  • Transit links to employment centers
  • Traffic signals
  • Public transportation - and -
  • Aviation
Other concerns explicitly raised by attendees included parking at Lancaster's Amtrak Station, promoting shuttle service in downtown Lancaster, and implementing the Lancaster Streetcar Initiative.

Funkhouser presented figures that echoed the concerns of the public. "10% of households in the county do not have access to a vehicle and that number is 25% for city households." He also pointed out, "The number of vehicles on County roads has nearly doubled in the past 25 years, so if it seems like there are more cars out on the road, it's because there are."

Additional public forums will be held Wednesday, November 7th at Manheim Central High School, and Tuesday, November 13th at the Quarryville Public Library. The times for both forums are 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

"These public forums are important because we get some feedback and, quite frankly, some validation," said Planning Commission member Ray Agostino, who is also the Manager of East Lampeter Township.

Updates on the plan, including statistics on audience responses, are to be posted on the County's website.

Any individual with comments or questions for the Commission is strongly encouraged to contact David Royer, Director of Transportation Planning for the County of Lancaster.

The Planning Commission hopes to have the Long Range Transportation Plan drafted by June 2008.

11/6/07
NOV. 6 IS ELECTION DAY!

Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 6th, is election day.

Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. To view a list of polling places, click here.

In addition to the County Commissioners race and the judicial elections both statewide and locally, there are candidates running for local offices in your area. To find out who is on the ballot, click here for a list of candidates.

Need additional help determining who's who statewide and countywide? See this Voters Guide compiled by the League of Women Voters.

Also don't forget to check our website for the news and commentary on the candidates that you won't read in the monopoly Lancaster Newspapers!

You may visit NewsLanc.com for election results at 11:15 pm on Tuesday and again at 7:15 a.m. on Wednesday. You can find the latest results for all races at all times at the County's website.

11/5/07
Editorial: Lancaster Newspapers Played Fair; NewsLanc and Others Helped

In anticipation that the monopoly Lancaster Newspapers would continue the bias, distortions and mendacity representative of their coverage of the convention center / hotel project coverage and other matters, NewsLanc established a "Molly Watch" to point out such abuses of the public trust.

Guess what? We never wrote about a single abuse.

We are very grateful that in some ways the newspapers are beginning to return to honorable journalism now that their owners' interests are no longer so blatantly at stake. Yes, there are exceptions, such as puff pieces to further the rezoning of The High Group's proposed "Conestoga Commons Shopping Center."

And none of the editors yet feel at liberty to mention, let alone editorialize, against the highway robbery of Lancaster Square Partners (a/k/a "Lancaster Square Pigs") mesmerizing the compliant Ted Darcus and David Hixson into agreeing to pay half of the proceeds from Naming Rights to the Partners, although Penn Square Partners have no investment or ownership in the convention center portion of the project. If editors and reporters were allowed to write about this usurpation of perhaps $1.5 million, they would kick Penn Square Partners and its parent companies' posteriors from here to Sunday.

NewsLanc and other local critical web sites deserve credit for the partial reform of the Lancaster Newspapers. "Speaking truth to power" websites which attract an estimated thousand visitors a week, newsletters that reach over a thousand downtown shoppers, and radio spots that talk to 80,000 people three times each once or twice a month have shined a bright light on media abuses.

Hopefully Lancaster is entering an era whereby an alternative press will take hold on the Internet to the benefit of all the local media and certainly the public.

11/5/07
Looking at Lancaster, Pennsylvania on Dick Shellenberger

For a short but accurate summary of the honorable, albeit brief, political career of Commissioner Dick Shellenberger, NewsLanc recommends you read "Moral individuals need not apply" posted at the Looking At Lancaster blog.

It starts: "The year 2003 was an election year, with the biggest local race being for the three Lancaster County Commissioners. 2003 was also a year when 'morality' was the major campaign issue, which in Lancaster County means 'conservative Christian'. Consequently, when the local Republican committee went looking for candidates for County Commissioner, a conservative Christian was high on their priority list."

11/5/07
Is Craig Lehman the Convention Center Candidate?

An article in the Nov. 3rd New Era headed "Crossover cash fuels Demos in commissioner race" discloses that major money behind commissioner candidate Craig Lehman's campaign comes from those earning millions from the convention center / hotel project.

According to the New Era, "Lehman, in turn, cashed in on pro-convention center Republicans such as S. Dale High, the owner of High Construction, which is responsible for building the downtown center, and James Pickard, who once chaired the Lancaster County Convention Center Authority Board.

"Lehman also garnered financial help from former county administrator Tim Kirchner, a registered Republican who now works for Stevens & Lee, the legal firm that represented the Convention Center Authority in its lawsuits against the county commissioners."

Election Day Tuesday will determine whether Craig Lehman or convention center critic Molly Henderson will be the minority commissioner.

11/4/07
Editorial: RE-ELECT "Plucky" Molly Henderson

Molly Henderson's career has been a profile in courage. She has stood up against vicious and baseless attacks from the most formidable and self serving of foes in order to serve the best interests of the citizenry and taxpayers.

How many would have had the integrity and courage to resist the self serving monopoly Lancaster Newspapers and The High Group by opposing taxpayer guarantees of the $200 million convention center / hotel project?

The Chamber of Commerce and business interests favored construction of the Rt. 23 Corridor through the heart of county farmland, but she was one of the first officials to oppose it.

She acknowledged that the public should have been given more time to provide input pertaining to the proposed sale of Conestoga View and publicly apologized. The sale itself was unpopular in some quarters but has proven beneficial to patients, staff and tax payers alike.

"Plucky" Molly has also led in bringing about farmland preservation, urban enhancement grants for our towns and the city, the Clipper Stadium, the Pennsylvania Academy of Music’s new building, safety training, park enhancements, a County Comprehensive Plan, the Youth Intervention Center, and periodic evening commissioner meetings.

She stood up for us. Isn't it time we stand up for her?

11/3/07
Editorial: Five Reasons to VOTE NO on Donald Totaro for Judge

  1. When reporters from the Intelligencer Journal were given immunity from prosecution concerning illegal access to records in exchange for testimony, District Attorney Donald Totaro failed to investigate their editors.
  2. When three members of the Convention Center Authority asked him to investigate millions of dollars of unsubstantiated payments, he claimed that the FBI had already investigated the matter. The FBI never contacted the parties.
  3. When Assistant U. S. Prosecutor Jonathan Luna was murdered in Lancaster County and the FBI itself was implicated, Totaro declined to investigate.
  4. When a convicted rapist confessed to crimes for which Ted Dubbs had spent five years in prison, Totaro took almost a year before sending a detective to investigate so that Dubbs could be set free.
  5. Totaro conducted a year long political witch hunt of the county commissioners, intimidating them to accept a plea bargain for violations of the Sunshine Act which the actual subsequent grand jury report did not substantiate.

11/3/07
City Council Candidates Make Final Pitches to the Public

The six candidates for Lancaster City Council participated in a two-hour debate at Southern Market Center on Thursday night.

The topics of discussion included stimulating downtown business, city traffic, helping children in poor living situations, preservation of downtown buildings, animal cruelty, and helping nonprofits serve the residents of Lancaster.

Perhaps the most exciting moment of the night came when Joe Morales, Democratic candidate for City Council, responded to Republican candidate Kathleen Harrison's complaint on the issue of nonprofits and social services, that "too much federal funding is going to areas like Pittsburgh and Harrisburg" by firing back, "Our money is not going to Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. Our money is going to Iraq. The fact is that the federal government is not in a position to be giving the money that they once did." This drew murmurs of agreement from members of the audience.

On this issue of nonprofits and social services, Republican candidates Brian Reynolds and R. B. Campbell both asserted that City Council's role is, in Campbell's words, "Communication and coordination."

Another issue on which Campbell and Reynolds both largely agreed was that of downtown business revitalization. "We have a large pool of people just outside the city, but they don't come in," said Reynolds.

Campbell insisted that it only makes sense for developers to build and for existing stores to stay open later if they are "able to project that the demand will be there in order to make it profitable to them."

Morales disagreed. "I think that this is a chicken and egg problem," he explained. "You're waiting for demand to stay open later. I think it's the other way around. If you keep them open longer, people will come."

Democratic candidate Pat Coller looked to the opening of the Hotel and Convention Center, saying "Since the Convention Center and Hotel is on the way, every block that I walk in that area I find new places opening up."

On the issue of city roads, Reynolds said, "We should look outside the city" for parking. He also addressed the issue of large trucks using city streets, saying "Maybe we could contact people like Rand McNally or MapQuest to try to block city streets from their driving directions." Campbell and Harrison suggested that the city needs to produce new, more detailed and visually appealing maps.

Incumbent President of City Council, Nelson Polite, agreed with Reynolds, saying "I would search for and encourage the use of satellite parking at or near the entrance to our city at a reasonable cost and encourage city residents, especially seniors, to use alternative modes of transportation, including buses."

Asked by moderator Lauren Fuller how the City can help children in substandard living conditions, R.B. Campbell said, "I'm a strong supporter of rental housing" and urged, "It's long overdue for rental properties to be systematically inspected."

Joe Morales repeatedly cast himself as an optimist, saying on this issue, "It takes a community but I think there's a lot more going right than going wrong."

Democratic Candidate Pat Coller asserted a link between poverty and crime, while Brian Reynolds said that it is important for kids to learn vocational skills as part of their education.

Nelson Polite, echoing Campbell's point, pledged that housing will be inspected on a regular basis as opposed to merely on a "complaint basis."

All of the candidates agreed that preservation of historic downtown properties is an important objective and that developers need to find responsible ways of renovating such properties, but all of the candidates likewise insisted that the City has learned its lesson since the ill-conceived Urban Renewal projects of the 1960s.

In their opening and closing remarks, Brian Reynolds stressed his 16 years of business experience, Kathleen Harrison pledged accountability to the citizens and claimed that it is time to balance the Democratic-controlled City Council with Republican voices, R. B. Campbell stressed his commitment and nonpartisanship, Joe Morales pointed to his soon-to-be-completed Masters Degree in Public Administration, Pat Coller asserted that the Democratic candidates care about the voters, and Incumbent Nelson Polite stressed his experience as a City Councilman.

The event, which attracted approximately 40 attendees, was hosted by the League of Humane Voters of Central Pennsylvania.

11/2/07
Results of Nov. 6 Election

According to the Lancaster Count Board of Elections, results will be posted within twenty minutes of receipt throughout the evening of Tuesday, November 6, and possibly into the early morning hours, on the County's website.

11/1/07
Craig Lehman's Strange Answer

As reported by the New Era on Oct. 31st, the following question was posed to all candidates for the positions of county commissioner:

New Era: The current board of commissioners has fought a long legal battle to withdraw county government from the public-private partnership behind the county convention center. What do you see as the role of county government regarding that project?

Craig Lehman: "I do not support any additional public funding for construction and any shortfall must come from private sources, not from Lancaster County taxpayers."

Isn't Lehman aware that the convention center has no private investors? It is totally owned by the Convention Center Authority and funded with public funds, bond guarantees and the use of first revenues to pay debt service. So who are the "private sources" to whom he is referring?

10/31/07
County Selects Farmingdale Rd Site for $5M Morgue and Forensic Center

At their weekly public meeting Wednesday, the County Commissioners voted unanimously to select 821 Farmingdale Road in East Hempfield Township as the future home of the planned County Morgue and Forensic Center.

The tract of land is currently owned by the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority, which has agreed to sell it to the County for $1.

According to County Engineer David McCudden, the proposed 12,000 square-foot facility would cost approximately $5 million. Asked by Bill Bonanno of Rapho Township how the County plans to pay the cost, Commission Chair Dick Shellenberger said, "It will be paid for with bonds. There is no other pot of money that I know of."

All three of the Commissioners agreed that the site is in good proximity to major traffic arteries and that the potential of using some of the land between Farmingdale Road and Good Drive for a County Park would be a wonderful thing.

"The Solid Waste Authority has been very generous," said Shellenberger. "That they allowed us to own the property rather than rent was, I think, just a blessing."

It remains to be seen how the residents of East Hempfield will react to the County’s move. Although County Engineer David McCudden indicated that he has held "cursory consultation with the Township Manager and Township Planner," he acknowledged that zoning issues and other procedural hurdles remain.

Construction of the morgue and forensic center is slated to begin in the fall of 2008.

10/31/07
Commissioners Keeping Faith With LCCCA

At the County Commissioners' Tuesday workshop meeting, Chairman Dick Shellenberger said they are still reviewing the Convention Center Authority's request that the commissioners voluntarily agree to changes to the agreement of Oct. 16.

Two items of concern deal with the right of commissioners to continue to make appointments to the board during pending litigation, and division of legal costs.

Donald LeFever, County solicitor, explained: "Their original suit as filed requested an injunction to prevent the County from making any other appointments to the Convention Center Authority during pending litigation. "

Shellenberger said: "The agreement has to be re-worked . We're working on it." Shellenberger also indicated that the Commissioners asked their special counsel on Friday to withdraw the county's appeal.

Whether the Appeal can be withdrawn before a decision is uncertain since April Koppenhaver, who joined the Commissioners' appeal, is not party to the settlement between the Commissioners and the Authority.

10/30/07
Deb Hall Steps Down from LCCCA Board; Commissioners Appoint Kevin Fry

In a unanimous vote during their weekly worksession Tuesday, the County Commissioners appointed Kevin Fry to replace Deb Hall on the Lancaster County Convention Center Authority Board of Directors. Commissioner Nelson made clear that Hall had requested to be removed "for personal reasons."

Fry, the Commissioners indicated, is a commercial real estate agent with extensive experience in economic planning, real estate, sales, construction oversight and marketing.

"This is not a new name," said Commissioner Nelson. "He has been vetted in front of the public."

No objections were raised to the appointment. Commission Chairman Dick Shellenberger said, "I think his credentials are there and I'm glad we're bringing someone with Mr. Fry's experience onboard."

Commissioner Molly Henderson said, "I certainly appreciate Mr. Fry's willingness to come onboard and serve" and also noted that she appreciates Deb Hall's service as a member of the Board.

Fry's appointment extends through September 2011.

10/30/07
Planning Commission Event Not as Advertised but Still Useful

Lured to what was represented as a Lancaster County Planning Commission and Study Steering Committee event to "receive an update on our progress so far" and to hear "your ideas and comments for the future of Harrisburg Pike," well over a hundred people were surprised to find only exhibits, no formal presentation, and little if any attempt to solicit input from the public.

Furthermore, the presentation was not by the County Planning Commission, but rather by KCI Technologies which the county has engaged to perform a study.

Some of the KCI reps seemed surprised when told that the meeting had been advertised as an exchange of ideas and, only after suffering criticism from the crowd, got out pencil and paper to start taking notes.

Subjects raised by many were as follows:
  1. The heavy traffic on Harrisburg Pike and the lack of alternate routes when an emergency occurs.
  2. Fear that installation of a median strip along the portion passing through the Franklin & Marshall campus would eliminate the continuous turning lane and thus lead to unnecessary back-ups, especially when one lane was blocked.
  3. Concern about the heavy traffic that would be generated at the proposed Conestoga Crossings Shopping Center across from Long's Park near Rt. 30 and the Independence site in Hempfield which is being considered for mid-rise residential development.
  4. The threat to School Lane Hills posed by possible residential development of the F & M athletic fields that would connect Harrisburg Pike with Wilson Drive and possibly other School Lane Hills streets. Concern was expressed of a lack of coordination between Manheim Township and the City. A KCC spokesman said representatives of the municipalities were finally going to "sit down together."

One visitor expressed frustration that rezoning was taking place prior to the determination of the future of the Harrisburg Pike.

Another complained that $27 million in tax payer funds would be expended in upgrading the Rt. 30 interchange and only one traffic light would be eliminated.

The NewsLanc reporter's feelings echoed the concerns of some of the attendees: Was the meeting a sincere effort to obtain input from the public or simply so much public relations fluff?

Whatever were their intentions, the KCI reps certainly got an earful!

10/29/07
MT Commissioners & Sunday News Quash Democracy

In the Oct. 28th lead article "Suburb tosses 'citizen group,'", the Sunday News reports that the Manheim Township Board of Commissioners ruled "Lancaster for Smart Growth" could no longer be party to the hearings for the proposed High Group's "The Crossings" shopping center because its attorney, Bill Cluck, refused to identify more than two local participants.

Amusingly, the Sunday News says "Others aren't so sure," cloaking the identity of "others." Might we guess that "others" is the way that the Sunday News gets around identifying its parent company's partner, The High Group?

The supposed news article goes on to state: "And that has led some to speculate that Lancaster for Smart Growth is merely a 'front' group that doesn't represent citizens at all but is perhaps even a rival developer who wishes to see The Crossings go down in flames." Once again, notice the use of "some." Who? High? The Sunday News? Santa Claus?

Even more relevant, what is the problem if rival developers are funding the opposition, so long as locals are involved and the information provided is accurate? The involvement of rivals can be positive, because how else could opponents afford an attorney and research to combat the High juggernaut? Note to the Sunday News: This is the American way, practiced by Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.

Furthermore, it is dangerous to one's livelihood and social standing to be seen as opposing the power elite here in Lancaster or, for that matter, most anywhere. According to our source who chooses to be unidentified (but three guesses), business contacts and friends will in private praise and encourage your efforts but don't expect for them to sit next to you at a Rotary meeting or invite you any more to their parties.

Lastly, if the Sunday News is averse to anonymity, let it stop attributing objections to "others" and "some" and accurately describe the source of the allegations.

10/28/07
Editorial: Penn Square Pigs?

How long will it take for the monopoly Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. and The High Group to recognize that they far overreached when they negotiated with a compliant Convention Center Authority Chairman Ted Darcus and Executive Director David Hixson for half of the revenue from the sale of convention center naming rights, worth as much as $3.5 million per Sen. Gibson Armstrong?

We have yet to encounter any citizen who is not shocked and outraged by the disclosure. And it is only a matter of time before word gets around to almost everyone in the county.

NewsLanc's greatest chore has been to cut through the mythology that a benevolent elite power structure still watches over and pursues what is best for our community. It is difficult when this was in large part true of earlier managers of the newspapers and The High Group.

But their altruism stopped some time ago. The convention center / hotel project woke up some to the change, but not most. The issues were complicated and most people were distracted.

But diverting as much as $1.75 million from the taxpayers to a partnership that has no financial or ownership interest in the convention center part of the project is so blatant, so greedy, so antisocial as to be apparent to everyone.

As a result, Penn Square Partners has been dubbed "Penn Square Pigs" by a noted local Scalawag. Unless they act quickly to rescind claims to money that rightfully belongs to the taxpayers, that label is likely to stick.

10/27/07
Commissioner Candidates Discuss Local Issues at F&M Forum

Farmland preservation, eminent domain, the Route 23 bypass, the proper function of county government, and, of course, the Convention Center were among the topics of discussion at Thursday night's Commissioner candidates debate at Franklin & Marshall College.

All five candidates attended the 2-hour debate, hosted by the League of Women Voters, and approximately 50 audience members were present.

On the issue of the convention center, each of the candidates pledged that no additional public general fund dollars will be used to cover construction costs associated with the controversial $170 million project. Incumbent Commissioner Molly Henderson said of the partial legal settlement being considered at the time with the Convention Center Authority, "If that happens we should all be so happy about that. Prioritization of debt service is something I have been very concerned about over the past few years."

Republicans Scott Martin and Dennis Stuckey, and independent candidate Jere Swarr, bemoaned the costs of the litigation and divisiveness arising out of the project. Martin said, "We've already seen" that Clipper Stadium has been "a staple of economic development and revitalization in that northwest corridor." Stuckey said, "I believe it will be a success for the downtown area. If not, we'll pull together the people with the brains to make it a success." "Failure is not an option," he insisted.

Jere Swarr said, "It's time we pull together as a community and make it work.... I congratulate R.B. Campbell, Art Morris, and Tom LeCrone. I think they have business savvy."

All candidates agreed that preserving farmland is an objective both noble and imperative. As she did in previous debates, Henderson pledged to sustain farmland preservation "at the level it has been" and added, "We should look at the possibility of using a portion of the hotel tax for farmland preservation."

Martin disagreed, saying, "We can't promise you that we can continue farmland preservation at the same level. It depends on the budget."

On the issue of the role of County Government, Stuckey seemed to effectively capture the sense of all of the candidates when he said, "The County can be a leader in helping local governments form coalitions on a regional basis that help make them more effective for their taxpayers."

Swarr opined that "It is expensive to have so many municipalities. There is duplication of services."

On the issue of the proposed Route 23 Bypass, Henderson, Craig Lehman, and Swarr were unanimous in opposing the project on the grounds that it would run through some of Lancaster County's most beautiful farmland. "What we might find ourselves doing if we build a new road is killing all the existing business on route 23," continued Lehman.

As for the Republicans, Martin said, "There is nothing legally or statutorily a County Commissioner can do to prevent Route 23 from being built." "This is up to the local municipalities," he continued. "A county commissioner getting involved in that is, in my mind, nothing more than political grandstanding." Stuckey said that he wants to wait until the draft environmental study on the proposed interchange is released before opining on the matter.

Asked by panelist Dr. Charles Greenawalt about eminent domain, Stuckey characterized it as an "absolute last resort," and Swarr vowed never to use it. Henderson agreed that "taking private property for the sake of private property" is inappropriate but suggested that 150 North Queen Street was "friendly eminent domain" since the County appraised the property and compensated the owner equitably. Martin scoffed at the idea. "I don't think there ever is eminent domain that is really friendly," he said. "We're trying to create cooperation and we give them an iron fist the face? I am not in favor of eminent domain."

On the issue of development, Henderson and Lehman both stressed the need for funding infrastructure improvements while Republican Scott Martin complained that "it's cheaper for someone to buy property in the suburbs than to develop existing infrastructure in the cities." "We should be making a concerted effort to troll for entrepreneurs," he said.

Asked by panelist Ben Simmoneau of WGAL-TV whether he thinks County government should be changed, as the Government Study Commission has been considering, Stuckey joked, "I think that County government should be changed by Scott Martin and I being elected County Commissioners." He then proceded to give a preliminary "no" but said he would have to see what the Government Study Commission recommends before making a final decision.

Molly Henderson said she would consider some changes, including enhancing minority party representation in county government and possibly increasing the number of county commissioners to five from the current three.

Martin and Lehman indicated that their support depends upon what precisely the Study Commission recommends, while Swarr refused to answer altogether, saying that for a commissioner candidate to answer this question would present a "conflict of interests."

Lehman stressed his years as a budget analyst. Henderson pointed out that she's "the only candidate who has on the job experience." Martin also referred to his work as a budget analyst and professed a passion for local government.

Stuckey called for healing of the "dysfunction" he says has recently plagued the County. And Swarr pointed to his township supervisory experience, promised to return power to the people, and promised to post his latest list of contributors on his campaign's web page. "Not one dollar from a PAC," Swarr said.

Each of these candidates is asking for one of your two votes on Tuesday, November 6th.

10/26/07
County Offer Approved by Authority

The Lancaster Convention Center Authority Board narrowly passed a proposed agreement from the County Commissioners to prioritize debt service payment before operating and other costs of the $170 million convention center/hotel project.

In City Council chambers, Chairman Art Morris conducted an orderly discussion, which included votes on the county/authority motion and two amendments. The 4-3 vote approved the Oct. 16th offer by the County Commissioners of a partial settlement to drop its legal challenge if taxpayers were protected with first priority given to debt service.

The board also approved a non-binding request that discussions be continued to modify the Oct. 16th agreement to include some or all of the additional terms of the Authority's counter proposal of Oct. 17th.

Over a period of about 45 minutes, Morris moderated a civil exchange of view between members of the public and board members. Before the pivotal votes were taken, Morris commented: "A county withdrawal is not significant to us. I see this settlement more public relations than substance."

Board member R. B. Campbell who cast the pivotal vote to table the resolution nine days earlier, stated: "I have yet to hear from our solicitor any harm or downside that will occur by signing the Oct. 16th agreement."

Although discussion was vigorous, the only discordant and somewhat bizarre moment came when former chairman and current board member Ted Darcus angrily commented: "This [proposal] is a travesty. Flim flam and stinking from here to heaven that stinks. And all we are getting is what we got to go with Oct. 16th because of the commissioners, the commissioners...."

When interviewed following the vote, County Commissioner Chairman Dick Shellenberger said he would be receptive to discussions to modify the Oct. 16th agreement to conform more closely to the Oct. 17th proposal.

"This is what we have been working towards for two and a half years," said Commissioner Molly Henderson when reached after the vote. "This is a day for protecting Lancaster County taxpayers. And I certainly appreciate the cooperation of the Convention Center Authority."

Without the agreement whereby all Convention Center revenues will first be applied to paying principal and interest on an initial $44 million in bonds, an Appeals Court decision against the Convention Center Authority would have caused its bonds to bear an addition 0.3% service fee, or about $3 million over the duration of the financing. Also, future refinancing of the bonds will have to give priority to repayment of debt service.

10/25/07
Henderson Launches 'Molly Minutes" on Local TV

Commissioner candidate for re-election Molly Henderson launched a local television campaign based on one minute spots.

In the first, she defends her position on the convention center, pointing out that over a three-and-a-half year period the project ballooned from $70 million to almost $200 million. She also notes that ownership of the project went from an equal partnership between private funders and the public to one where the taxpayer has to run almost 100% of the risk.

The convention center 'Molly Minute" can be viewed at http://www.mollyhenderson.us/movies/Convention1.wmv.

10/25/07
Agreement Could Save Convention Center Authority $3 Million Plus

Without the agreement expected to be reached today between the County and the LCCCA whereby all Convention Center revenues will first be applied to paying principal and interest on an initial $44 million in bonds, an Appeals Court decision against the Convention Center Authority would have caused its bonds to bear an addition 0.3% service fee.

Projected over a 40 year period, the additional financing cost would likely amount to well over $3 million.

With bond debt being prioritized, the County runs little risk that its guarantee of 50% of the debt service will be required.

Also the agreement assures the County that any future refinancing of Convention Center debt will also require that debt service be prioritized over other expenses.

Although the agreement will provide technical protection for county taxpayers, it is unlikely to provide much protection in reality. When revenue is applied to debt service and there are not sufficient funds left to pay operating expenses, the county will be faced with the predicament of either providing an additional subsidy or allowing the Convention Center to close its doors. A vacant Convention Center would doom the adjacent Marriott Hotel and provide a desolate and derelict block in the center of the city.

One way or another, taxpayers would have to add to their current $3 million annual subsidy in order to keep the center open.

10/25/07
Combining Beauty and Brains

At Tuesday's meeting of the Lancaster City Council, member Louise Williams announced a partnership between Empire Beauty School and Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster to provide salon professionals with training to recognize signs of abuse, given that women are likely to disclose such matters only through conversation with people they trust.

This is an excellent example of outreach that costs very little and can accomplish so much.

10/24/07
County Planning Commission to Discuss Future of Harrisburg Pike

The Lancaster County Planning Commission and Study Steering Committee will be holding an Open House at the Health Campus of Lancaster General Hospital on Monday, October 29 from 6-9 p. m. in order to "receive an update on our progress so far" and to hear "your ideas and comments for the future of Harrisburg Pike," according to information made available at Tuesday's Lancaster City Council meeting.

10/24/07
Editorial: Commendable Zeal, But Needed Elsewhere

It is admirable that a hundred persons would show sufficient interest to attend a meeting of the Manheim Central School Board to question the payment of $40,000 in special bonuses of $2222 each to eighteen teachers who served as mentors for eighth graders who were having trouble with their assignments.

If citizen protest were in proportion to the misuse of public funds, then about 600 should show up at the Convention Center Authority board meeting on Thursday to protest the giveaway to the monopoly Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. and The High Group of half of the proceeds for Naming Rights valued by Sen. Gib Armstrong as high as $3,500,000.

It is easier to whip up support among parents who are friends and neighbors and where going to a meeting is mutually reinforcing and binding, than to attract individuals to a county-wide meeting where they have few if any friends present to provide mutual support and approbation.

In short, if you are to exploit the public, do it regionally, statewide or nationally.

10/24/07
Would Turnabout be Fair Play?

According to the Oct. 23rd New Era, "On Monday, the [Scott] Stuckey / [Dennis] Martin team also announced it is officially asking the current board of commissioners to go into lame-duck mode and not initiate any new programs, construction or debt until the new board takes office. 'My personal belief is this current board no longer has the will of the people behind it,' Martin said. Therefore, he said, decisions about where to build the new county morgue, farmland preservation bonds and prison construction should wait."

Not only did the prior board of commissioners not heed Martin's request, but they purposefully and prematurely sold a $40 million bond with a county guarantee under conditions that tied the han