Month: September 2008

A trillion here; 600 billion there. Who knows?

According to the Intelligencer Journal editorial of Sept.30: “The failure of lawmakers to pass the bailout resulted in a 777-point loss on the New York Stock Exchange. That downturn – resulting in $1.2 trillion in losses – cost investors, who own shares in pension funds, retirement accounts and the like – much more than the […]

Happenings in and around Lancaster this week

October 3rd is First Friday in downtown Lancaster. “First Fridays occur on the first Friday evening of every month year round. Over 90 art galleries and shops extend their hours and stay open to 9:00 PM – some even later!” A lot of people come downtown for First Fridays, so come meet, mingle, and enjoy. […]

TRRACC proposal won’t work

Both TRRACC and NewsLanc ignore the fact that Norfolk Southern itself has said that none of TRRACC’s proposed alternatives would work. If the railroad says they won’t work, it’s irresponsible for both you and TRRACC to claim they will. It becomes just NIMBY. Editor’s response: We are not aware of having advocated the TRRACC plan. […]

Data Sheet Compares Tax Rates in Home Rule vs. Non-Home Rule Class 3 Counties

The following was recently posted on the website of the Government Study Commission. Prepared by commission member Jim Miller using data from the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development and Franklin & Marshall College’s Center for Opinion Research, it is a property tax rate comparison between comparably sized Pennsylvania counties that have adopted “Home […]

On the agenda for Wednesday’s Commissioners meeting

At their weekly meeting tomorrow, the Lancaster County Commissioners are expected to present Letters of Commendation to 10 paramedics and EMTs from Lancaster EMS and Susquehanna Valley EMS for volunteering to help evacuate special-needs patients from the City of New Orleans in advance of Hurricane Gustav on August 29. The Commissioners are also expected to […]

Prepare to see identical story

The Lancaster Newspapers better save a few copies of that recent Pittsburgh Post Gazzette article…they will need it. All Lancaster residents should be prepared to see an almost identical story within 3-5 years of our CC opening. LNP can merely change the names as the naysayers say that they predicted this and the supporters shrug […]

EDITORIAL: Wachovia is gone. Lending consequences remain!

Over the weekend and as presaged here, the Federal Reserve intervened to enable CitiGroup to acquire the failing Wachovia Bank. Nevertheless, tax payers of the City of Lancaster must live with the consequences of the Wachovia’s irresponsible guarantee of convention center and hotel bonds, something that other financial institutions had declined to undertake. Successful capitalism […]

Wachovia Bank acquired by Citigroup

Update: Wachovia Bank fell from $10 at Friday’s closing to $1.84 at closing on Monday. According to the San Antonio Business Journal: “Citigroup Inc. has agreed to acquire Wachovia’s banking operations, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.” “The FDIC, in a press statement, stressed that ‘Wachovia did not fail; rather, it is to be […]

Forgiveness

I’d like to add an item to your list [of what the Lancaster Newspapers should seek forgiveness.] One of our editors once referred to the sitting head of the Board of Commissioners as the “angel of death”. I think that one qualifies too.

Is leadership failing School Lane Hills Association?

The communication below received from Bob Desmarais of the School Lane Hills Neighborhood Association (SLHA) seems to distance the organization from what should be a core concern. We worry whether Desmarais has been either distracted, is not up to his position, is overly concerned about offending anyone (especially John Fry), or has been co-opted by […]

LETTER: TRRACC Community Meeting

URGENT COMMUNITY MEETINGTRRAACTuesday, October 7, 2008 at 7:00 PMGrace Baptist Church1899 Marietta Avenue Dear Neighbor, As you may know, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster General Hospital and Norfolk Southern plan to move a large portion of the Dillerville Rail Yard from Dillerville Road to land directly behind the Harrisburg Pike Post Office. What you may […]

City prohibited from regulating guns

You stated Mayor Gray intends to introduce a lost/stolen gun ordinance. Did you know that Mr. Gray would be in violation of state preemption under the uniform firearms act of 1995? Maybe someone should bring that to his attention. 18 PA.C.S. § 6120 states, “No county, municipality or township may in any manner regulate the […]

Pttsburgh: Promised convention center boom hasn’t come

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,Sept. 28: “For years, promoters of the new $373 million David L. Lawrence Convention Center championed the project as the key to attracting larger shows and boosting tourism. “But nearly five years after its full opening, the center, three times the size of its predecessor, appears to be struggling to fulfill that promise, even […]

Newspapers ignored Latino Fest

“There was a Latino Fest and parade scheduled for today (Sept. 27, 2008). The Latino Fest was held at Lancaster Square; I saw three food stands, and a half dozen commercial booths. Attendance was light. “The parade was scheduled for 1PM, and was to follow Orange St. from Broad to Queen, then pass a reviewing […]