The Watchdog was pleased that a New Era editorial flat-out stated, “It would make no sense to duplicate a service already provided by Amtrak between Lancaster and Harrisburg. Moreover, we remain unconvinced that commuters will abandon their vehicles and opt for rail service…” In retrospect, the same should have been said forty-five years ago concerning […]
Month: October 2009
The Wild Card: Clymer crashes the party
Watching the primary campaign for commissioner in the spring of 2003 was a courtly, 55 year-old lawyer named James N. “Jim” Clymer. Jim Clymer was something of a renaissance man in fenced-in LancasterCounty. A former farmer, truck driver, and carpenter, Clymer was also a licensed, instrument-rated pilot.
The abnormal “Paranormal Activity”
Did the pioneers of “Cinema Verite,” documentary filmmakers of the fifties and early sixties–like New York’s Maysles Brothers or the Canada’s Alan King–ever think their technique would be used in fiction? Beyond that, did they foresee a day when two of the most profitable narrative films in movie history looked and sounded like their scrappy non fiction? Or that they would be horror movies?
In support of Medical Marijuana
Medical doctor Tom O’Connell’s research shows that among alcohol abusers who took up the regular use of medical marijuana, 90 percent greatly reduced their alcohol intake, and 10 percent quit completely. His research also explains the reason. Drug abuse is driven largely by anxiety-related disorders. Marijuana provides the anxiety relief they are seeking without screwing […]
East Hempfield candidate night
Candidate Night: Lori McGowan and Scott Russell Sunday, November 1, 2009 7p.m. Grace Baptist Church (Marietta and Farmingdale Roads) Come hear the two candidates for East Hempfield Township Supervisor discuss issues important to you and your neighborhood. Be prepared to ask questions on any topic. www.CAARRT.com
COMMENTARY: Smithgall letter controversy reveals all!
Charlie Smithgall’s letter of October 18, 2000 to High Real Estate Group could be summarized in a simple sentence: “As mayor, I will do my best to see that the City provides $5 million of financial support to the proposed convention center hotel.”
Did High try to “snooker” Gray to pay $5M twice?
During a Thursday, October 29 debate, incumbent Mayor Rick Gray said that former mayor and campaign opponent Charlie Smithgall had saddled the City with a $5 million cash commitment to the Convention Center Hotel. When Charlie Smithgall denied making such a commitment, Gray handed him a letter dated Oct. 18, 2000 —from the former mayor himself—to Tom Smithgall of the High Group, which included the following statement…
Mayoral debate hosted by Chamber; Smithgall defends crime assessment
Thursday morning, incumbent Mayor Rick Gray and contender Charlie Smithgall spoke before members of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce at the Southern Market Center. The tight discussion format, fielding audience questions and allowing a limited response time for each candidate, yielded succinct and focused comments on a variety of local issues—from crime to economic development.
INTELLIGENCER NEW ERA
In his a column “Our budget is saying things about us”, Jeff Hawkes opines: “One more thing about the budget: It shows how much we value locking up people. How so?… “Corrections Secretary Jeffrey Beard in February told a Senate committee he needed 10 percent more funding. He ended up with an increase of 11.2 percent.
CAARRT leader responds to Ben Bamford
NewsLanc received the following from Sylvia Fisher of CAARRT in response to “Bamford out of touch on LT rail yard controversy“. “It was a bit disingenuous of Ben Bamford. Yes, he did meet with me, as well as Bob Demarais, at the time head of the Old School Lane Hills Association. Because the relocated rail […]
Free seasonal flu shots
According to Melinda Zipp, Coordinator of Project Hope, The Urban League of Lancaster County will be hosting a free seasonal Flu Shot Clinic on Nov. 3, 2009 from 2-6 PM. She told NewsLanc “It will be the seasonal flu shot, not the H1N1. It is free to anyone ages 4 & up. Please feel free to post our flyer for clients and employees. No appointment necessary, will be walk-in.”
DA Stedman discusses Luna case concerns
Following District Attorney Craig Stedman’s Departmental Presentation at the Tuesday, October 28 County Commissioner Meeting, NewsLanc asked Stedman for his position on the mysterious 2003 death of Baltimore-based Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Luna in rural northern Lancaster County. When asked if he would consider taking up the case, Stedman said that, according to his knowledge, the Federal investigation of Luna’s death is not yet a closed case…
Holden pans City on neighborhoods; Gray: Misrepresentation of crime level hurts the community
At the Tuesday, October 27 City Council Meeting, Matt Holden—currently running for a seat on City Council—criticized the City’s handling of neighborhood resident concerns. Holden began, “While going through different neighborhoods discussing the issues of Lancaster City with residents, I frequently hear people refer to their neighborhood as a ‘forgotten’ part of the city.”…
Bamford out of touch on LT rail yard controversy
NewsLanc’s Cliff Lewis also posed written questions to Ben Bamford, candidate for Tony Allen’s seat as a Lancaster Township supervisor, concerning the relocation of the Norfolk Southern rail yard in close proximity to Lancaster Township, an action vehemently opposed by nearby township residents and others. The questions and written responses follow…