The Nov. 30th front page headlines two extensive articles: “A Hole in our Net” describing “the closing of one emergency shelter next year could leave more people on the streets” and “Where offenders plead…and cry” which, along with a second article, describes the workings of the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program. WATCHDOG: Both articles, the […]
Month: November 2008
City needs to prioritize failing infrastructure
The so called ‘free money’ from the state and feds (our tax dollars recycled) has all but dried up. I have to go on record and [say] the Trolley is all but dead in the water. The city sewers are crumbling. Klein is doing one plus house per day. The sewers in the city run […]
Derivation of "Black Friday"
A news report on the BBC network explained that the “Black” in “Black Friday” referred to the start of the holiday season which enabled merchants to stop losing money (in the “red” since losses in hand written ledgers were designated with red ink) and start making money (thus in the “black”.) Here we thought “Black […]
The library SYSTEM receives millions; the libraries get peanuts
At last week’s County Commissioners meeting, Library SYSTEM Executive Director Susan Hauer showed pluck by getting up during the Public Comment portion and asking if she might make a presentation concerning the need for SYSTEM funding. And to their credit, the Commissioners graciously allowed her to do so. (The commissioners indulge visitors including the publisher […]
A dog’s life in a bear market
by Chris Hart-Nibbrig A nation in financial free-fall has forced many Americans to make some very heartbreaking decisions, including whether to give up the family dog. For these people, a job layoff or foreclosed home has meant moving across state lines, or into an apartment that does not accept pets, or with relatives who don’t […]
Publisher taken to school on local issues
With reporter Matt Henderson on assignment elsewhere, our publisher covered what appeared to be a routine and not particular newsworthy County Commissioners meeting last week. Indeed, the only coverage by the Intell was a short artice about the purchase by the county of several easements on farms to prevent their future development. Rick Kastner, Executive […]
Legitimate concerns about rail yard relocation
Below are two of the reasons why members of TRRAAC, an organization of neighbors, desire that governmental authorities explore the relative feasibility and desirability of proposed alternate sites for the relocation of the Nofolk Southern rail yard: As currently proposed by F&M, the project would take a 100 year old railyard, in and surrrounded by […]
NEW ERA
A Nov. 24 article was headed “Will open-meetings law ever be revived?” and goes on to say “The state House adjourned for the year Wednesday without taking action on Senate Bill 467. The bill would have increased fines to pen meetings, violations from $100 to $1,000.” It then quoted retiring Sen. Gibson Armstrong as saying […]
Streetcars would impede fire ladder trucks
I’ve been reading your site and have agreed with the negative aspects being pointed out about the streetcar. One issue that I have not yet seen raised in any forum is the impact that the streetcars will have on the City’s fire service. The city Bureau of Fire operates two ladder trucks. Truck 1 has […]
Learned typing in 9th grade
I was taught typing in 9th Grade while at Reynold Junior High School. It was actually 30 years ago this semester that we tapped away on the electric typewriters and where I learned the home keys and use of the QWERTY keyboard that allows me to bang out words on the computer to this day. […]
Taxi fleet unable to meet convention demand
Every time one of my guests inquires about a cab to the [Lancaster] train station, I tell them to leave themselves at least 2 hours. When they look at a map and see the distance, they look at me like I have three heads. I try and explain to them how bad the service is […]
Proposed trolleys unable to make 90 degrees turns
The wheel base of the display trolley is so long that it will take out two lanes to make a turn. The outrageously expensive feasibility study should have (but does NOT) plot the actual location of the tracks or the turn radii. In cities where there are long stretches with gentle turns, there is little […]
EDITORIAL: City Council stonewalling
For the second time in two months on Tuesday night, a member of city government made a strong statement about the public not being allowed to ask questions during the public comment section of city council meetings. During a comment from a member of the public, City Council President Louise Williams warned, “There will be […]
City property taxes to rise 5% under proposed 2009 budget
City property taxes will rise five percent under the City of Lancaster’s proposed 2009 budget, Mayor Gray announced Tuesday night. Gray told City Council and guests that he did not intend on raising taxes, but that economic realities have forced his hand. The tax hike “equates to a $35 increase for the average residential property […]