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 and that if they don’t want to risk missing their train, they better follow my instructions.

The problem is that there is not enough consistent demand to allow any company to maintain the necessary fleet and roster of drivers to possibly meet the needs of the two or three real conventions we might have every year. Even if we had ten major conventions, it would not be enough.

Just like our air service, which will still be woefully inadequate, the only way to provide taxi service will be to subsidize it heavily…no private company could ever stay in business if they were equipped to handle even 60% of the demand that a real convention might draw 10 days per year.

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 issue. But our city blocks are relatively short and the planned route has four 90 degree turns in the busiest intersections.

Stupid, Stupid, Stupid.

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 comments only. I don’t want questions asked of council persons at this time or at any other time during comments, but you may make comments.”

A couple of weeks ago, Lancaster Mayor Rick Gray told a NewsLanc reporter, “This is public comment, not questions and answers.”

Contrast the heavyhanded city approach with the practice at weekly meetings of the Lancaster County Commissioners. At those meetings, the three commissioners and their staff make every effort to at least respond to reasonable questions from members of the public. If they do not know the answer, they direct the individual to someone who may, or make a note to answer the question by the next meeting.

City Council was elected by the public to serve the public. Its members should be eager to listen to and discuss the concerns of city residents and taxpayers. As Chair, Williams may cut off any member of the public if they stray from the topic at hand or cross the line as to what is appropriate.

But we find it unacceptable for Williams and Gray to tell the public not to ask questions of their elected officials during the designated time for public input into often far-reaching and quickly made governmental decisions.

Williams must stop acting like the key component of democratic government is but a nuisance.

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 for the year,” said City Administrator Patrick Hopkins.

Hopkins added the city’s expenses are only up 1.8% in 2009 as opposed to 2008, but that the city is taking a hit on the revenue side of the equation.

One of the key factors driving revenue loss is that the city is earning about $450,000 less interest on its money due to the turmoil in the national economy, he explained.

Hopkins also mentioned that economic development is slowing down, so the city is getting less revenue from building permits and also less property tax revenue due to a large number of assessment appeals.

A few key points from Gray’s budget address:

“We have slowed the growth of government spending from a high of 12.6% in 2005 to 1.8% in 2009“

“We have reduced the size of city government. In 2006, the City General Fund budgeted for a workforce of 439 full time employees. In 2009, we have reduced our workforce to 411 employees. Staffing levels will continue to decline in 2009.”

“For the first time, all City employees will make contributions to the cost of health insurance benefits. Department directors and non-union employees will increase their contribution to a range between 4% and 8% of the costs of the insurance provided.”

The proposed 2009 budget will be available on the City of Lancaster’s website starting Wednesday. It will be discussed in greater detail in a series of meetings over the coming weeks before a final vote occurs at City Council’s regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, December 16.

Is the following account an omen of things to come?

“The South Lake Union Streetcar Thursday was involved in its fourth accident since it began operation in December when a car allegedly ran a stop sign and hit the trolley.” No injuries were reported and minor damage was sustained to bumpers in each of the crashes. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/359606_streetcar18.html Dated April 17, 2008.

Does this mean that the trolley is dead in the water for an easier mode of transportation from the train station?

I just stopped to get a ticket from Altoona back to Lancaster this Friday. The fair with my AAA discount was $36.00. That is very reasonable.

Perhaps AFTER the millions get spent to spruce up the station, which it desperately needs, convention goers will come by rail and taxi to the new Marriott!!!

We all may have been wrong. We shall see.

I’ve been following your editorials about the railyard with great interest. I checked www.TRRAAC.com and found a well-written manifesto by TRRAAC.

I am convinced that the public does not understand this issue – which is how F&M wants it.

In this age of computers, it has been observed that most McCaskey High School students do not know how to properly type. This includes even those in advanced academic tracts.

Computer skills are as fundamental as math and English for young people to move on to college or gainful employment.

In times past and in other districts, typing is an important part of the middle school curriculum. Students are required to master conventional typing skills.

A source in confidence has indicated to NewsLanc that District officials are aware of the serious problem and will seek to address it in future curriculum.

In response to questions raised in letters concerning Christian Street and the purpose of the concrete construction at the end of the block, NewsLanc inquired as follow of Tom Smithgall, Project Manager employed by the High Group: “Did Lancaster City abandon or cede a portion of Christian Street to the LCCCA or project developers? What is the exact nature of that relationship? And what’s the story with the gate?”

Smithgall responded “The street was vacated (and therefore closed to pedestrian and vehicular traffic) by the City from Vine to Mifflin. What is being constructed is the support for the gate that will be installed…The gate will generally be closed, opening for deliveries to the LCCCA and Marriott Hotel only. Needless so say, this portion of the street/alley will be busy with trucks. From Mifflin to King, the street is still a public thoroughfare.”

According to Paula Jackson, Chief Planner, City of Lancaster: “Ordinance No. 10-2003, [was] adopted by Council on 9/9/03. This ordinance vacates a portion of S. Christian Street between East Vine Street and East Mifflin Street.”

It was written on page D-2 of the November 23 Sunday News under “Briefly Noted” that “Interstate Hotels & Resorts, the company managing the center and the adjoining Marriott Lancaster at Penn Square hotel, said it has more than 90 commitments for conventions, meetings and other functions at the new center.”

A NewsLanc reader brought the passage to our attention with the observation that the number of booked events for the Convention Center is far less than 90.

Asked for clarification today, Josh Nowak, an employee of Interstate Hotels & Resorts, and Director of Marketing for the Lancaster County Convention Center noted that the article references a November 20 press release issued jointly by the LCCCA and Penn Square Partners.

What the release actually says is, “Interest in utilizing the complex is strong. More than 90 commitments have been made to date for conventions, meetings, and other functions at the facility, according to Josh Nowak…”

Nowak explained that the 90 commitments is for the complex as a whole, which includes the use of hotel space.

He went on to deny the suggestion that Interstate Hotels & Resorts tries to steer meeting planners towards the hotel, saying bookings are “customer-driven” and that some planners prefer hotel space because they want to avoid the rental fees associated with the Convention Center rooms.