After years of not making a significant factual mistake, the editor bungled twice in a 24-hours period.
As previously reported, the Watchdog confused Lancaster General Comprehensive Care Medicine with LGH’s Suboxone program.
Even worse, in PAM’S funding shortage result of lack of vision, business acumen and attention, I inadvertently took the following line out of proper contest. “This project is far beyond the reach of current Board of PAM, technically & financially.”
The comment was meant to describe the the acquisition and renovation of the Brunswick Annex as a future school location, not PAM itself. My mistake is inexcusable and I apologize to PAM’s trustees for the error and to our readers.
We stand by what was said in the balance of both articles.
The Watchdog is headed off for a week of vacation and hopefully rest. Obviously he needs it.
Robert: Trust me, you have many factual mistakes over the years via this website. We’re tired of correcting them. That you believe you’ve only made two says a lot about your character and arrogance.
Watchdog, what you wrote was: “Concerning a move in 2011 to the Brunswick Annex, a non-musician Board member told NewsLanc: ‘This project is far beyond the reach of current Board of PAM, technically & financially.’ ” I understood what you were referring to; I don’t think you presented the board member’s quote out of context.
WATCHDOG: THE ORIGINAL VERSION MISTAKENLY ATTRIBUTED THE COMMENT TO THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THE BOARD, FOR WHICH I AGAIN APOLOGIZE.
The board member’s opinion is worrisome, however. I read the terms of the offer Hamid Zahedi (partner in the Brunswick Hotel) made to PAM, as well as your commentary on the offer. If your reporting is correct, this is what the board member is calling “beyond the reach” of PAM’s current board: $25,000 in renovations, a $10,000 security deposit, and rent that starts at $2,000 per month and tops out at $5,000 per month. The 100 block of N. Queen St. is a great downtown Lancaster location, and although 24,000 SF is much less space than they had in their old building, it should be enough to meet their needs.
WATCHDOG: SUBSEQUENT STUDY INDICATES $75,000 NEEDS TO BE EXPENDITED FOR A NEW ROOF AND TO WEATHER PROOF THE EXTERIOR WALLS. IT WOULD BE DESIRABLEL FOR PAM TO SPEND A YEAR ELSEWHERE WHILE OTHERS SEEK TO ACQUIRE AND RENOVATE THE ANEX. THIS REQUIRES NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE OWNERS, AN OPTION, CONSULTATION WITH FACULTY, DESIGN, COSTING AND FUND RAISING.
THE GOAL WOULD BE TO GIFT THE ANNEX TO THE ACADEMY.
Other than donated space, I can’t imagine them finding a better deal. If they don’t think they can find a way to take advantage of an offer like this, they must have already given up.
WATCHDOG: MY INTEREST IS JUST AS MUCH TO HELP TURN THE DORMANT LANCASTER SQUARE INTO A VIBRANT PART OF DOWNTOWN. OVER TIME, PAM COULD EVOLVE INTO A CAMPUS, UTILIZING PORTIONS OF THE BRUNSWICK HOTEL. I CAN NOT THINK OF ANY DEVELOPMENT MORE POSITIVE FOR DOWNTOWN LANCASTER.
Two significant factual mistakes, dozens of misleading assumptions, hundreds of misdirected arguments, handfuls of misdirected accusations and an incalculable number of conspiracy theories. We think you’re having more than just one bad day.