In a July 20th article entitled “Marriott Lancaster on schedule for March”, the Sunday News reports: “Developers have said the 14-story hotel needs to maintain a 68 percent occupancy rate to meet fiscal projections.” The 2006 PKF Feasibility Study reports on Page ll-10, “Our stabilized year projection assumes an annual occupancy rate of 53.0 percent […]
Month: July 2008
SUNDAY NEWS
In reference to former State Representative Tom Armstrong housing former sex offenders in his house, a Sunday News “Quote Of The Week” was Columbia’s mayor Leo Lutz stating: “We want to send a clear message. … We don’t want you in Columbia. Please go elsewhere.” WATCHDOG: When a mayor makes such a statement, it is […]
EDITORIAL: "Lifting up the fallen."
It saddens us to see pictures on the front page of the July 18th Intelligencer Journal of people protesting in front of the home of former state Representative Tom Armstrong because he has given sanctuary to individuals who have paid their debt to society and who now seek to get on with life. Of the […]
LANCASTER POST
In its July 18 edition in a feature entitled “Puff Piece”, the Post poses the following question concerning the proposed trolley car system: “Does anyone remember a single public meeting on this radical and very stupid proposal?” WATCHDOG: Here in Lancaster, it seems to be the practice for the authorities to only hold public meetings […]
Would Ron Harper have done otherwise?
I would love to see a Watchdog item on the Lancaster Post Dr. Kirchner article in today’s issue. I am no insider, but I seem to recall that Dr. Kirchner GAVE the reporters his access codes. From where I sit, I think he had visions of making the headlines as the next Cyril Wecht, Dr. […]
Possibilitly looms for jump in interest rates on CC Project bonds
A subsidiary of Wachovia Corporation, Wachovia Securities Trust, is being inspected “as part of part of a broad probe into questionable practices involving auction-rate securities” accoding to the Associated Press. The release goes on to explain: “Auction-rate securities had been seen by many as a safe investment. They were used, among other things, to fund […]
No New Convention Center Bookings During June; Authority’s $25 million investment with MBIA safe
No new opening-year Convention Center bookings were made during the month of June, its Director of Sales & Marketing said Thursday. Nevertheless, Josh Nowak remains optimistic that the Center will be able to meet its goals for 2009. 13 events have been booked for 2009, reflecting $183,600 in revenue. This amount is 36.3% of the […]
Millersville Tuition to Rise 3.5% for 2008-2009
The Patriot-News of Harrisburg reported, late Thursday morning, that the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) has approved a 3.5% tuition hike for the commonwealth’s 14 state-owned universities. “The yearly [undergraduate] tuition will rise to $5,358, an increase of $181,” writes reporter Jan Murphy. She goes on to report […]
Funding for trolley car purchases
There is a line item in the 2008-2009 State budget for a $15 million State grant to fund the proposed streetcar system, thanks to Sen. Gib Armstrong. No word yet on where the operational funding to operate the streetcars would come from. It never ceases to amaze me that the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and […]
NewsLanc challenges Newspapers to split cost of trolley poll
In one minute radio spots on three local stations, NewsLanc.com challenges the Lancaster Newspapers to split the cost of a professional poll to determine whether residents of Lancaster City want trolley cars on their main streets. The challenge can be heard as part of the third of three radio spots dated July 14th and posted […]
Press release: James Street Improvement District and Barnstormers pair up
The Lancaster Barnstormers are teaming up with the James Street Improvement District (JSID) to promote kindness in the community. The JSID bike patrol has been issued parking ticket-style vouchers designed not to punish bad behavior but reward random acts of kindness. “Our squad witnesses kind gestures by residents—young and old—every day, reflecting the great sense […]
SDL Board Pleased with State Budget Allocations
At their Tuesday July 15th meeting, the members of the SDL School Board listened to a brief presentation by the district’s Business Manager, Matthew Przywara, on the impact of the recently-passed state budget on the district’s budget for the upcoming year. Przywara reported that, while special education programs saw cuts totaling nearly $180,000, basic educational […]
What’s Happening Around Lancaster This Week?
July 15th is “National Ice Cream Day.” When you play a round of golf at Village Greens in Strasburg, you get a free “golf ball sundae.” Located at 1444 Village Road, it is open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. A round of golf costs $8 for the Gold Course or $6.25 for the Orange. […]
NEW ERA
In a June 15 article entitled “Pa.’s top court won’t hear center lawsuit”, the New Era states: “Although design work for the project was being done during the litigation, [Tom] Smithgall said the legal challenges have cost both time and money. “He believes the litigation added at least three years to the project. During that […]