An LNP article reports the death of Charlie Smithgall, Lancaster’s long time pharmacist, former mayor, and a unique and unforgettable individual. I only got to know Charlie during his two attempts for re-election at which time I was a significant funder and a would be political adviser. Upon my arrival at his house, he would […]
Tag: convention center
Chapter Eighteen: A Board Divided: Convention Center Authority Splits in Two
In September of 2005, the Lancaster County Convention Center Authority (LCCCA) board of directors would have been firmly counted in the sponsors’ column. At the LCCCA’s inception in September, 1999, both the County Board of Commissioners and the Lancaster city mayoralty were controlled by strong supporters of the project.
LETTER: $20 million is but the beginning of County “guarantee”
“Yes, Lancaster County is only liable for $20 million of the $64 million in [Convention Center] construction bonds. But that does not tell the whole story. If ‘hotel [room sales] tax’ proceeds fall short of the amount needed to make construction bond payments, Lancaster County government is liable to make up the difference…”
EDITORIAL: A “jewel” or a “thorn?”
The Editorial on Saturday’s Lancaster New Era “Jewel in crown of downtown” goes on to gush: “The convention center/hotel is billed as a top-notch, one-of-a-kind facility, and it does not disappoint.”
Has market for CC shrunk?
[Kevin] Molloy says people who come to the convention center are part of the “rubber-tire market” that lives two or three hours away and can drive here at a time when many people are cutting back on travel expenses. Could someone explain this to me? I thought it was meant to be a convention center. […]
Center opening doesn’t make it right
In response to “COMMENTARY: Where the rubber hits the road”: Well…just because it is now open, doesn’t make it ‘right’ for Lancaster City or County taxpayers, especially in the years ahead. We can only hope (and pray!), that things go better than anticipated (which would be a first), and that we don’t have to address […]