We have long known and admired a public spirited contributor of anonymous comments to NewsLanc.
The contributor is representative of working, middle class families in the city. The person has served the community well as a activist and a leader. But often when a suggestion is made by NewsLanc for an undertaking to improve conditions, the contributor sends in the same message: “There is no money.”
Given the tight City and School District of Lancaster budgets and tax loads, there truly isn’t much local government money. But what the contributor overlooks is there are ample other sources of private, foundation, and often state and federal funds if efforts are made to refine an idea and a group gets together to promote it.
(Republicans are indeed on to something when they point out the importance of church and community based initiatives.)
Let us test the hypothesis that “There is no money.”
‘Household Incomes’ for the USA are as follows for the Top 1% and for the top 0.5%, 0.1% and 0.01%.
Top 1% = $368,238
Top 0.5% = $558,726
Top 0.1% = $1,695,136
Top 0.01% = $9,141,190
The most recent U.S. Census indicates there are 193,000 Households in Lancaster County and the Median (mid-point) Household Income for 2008 – 2012 amounted to $56,172, almost $4,000 above the $52,267 for Pennsylvania.
1% of 193,000 income comes to 1930 families who earn an average of $368,238
0.1% comes to 193 families earning almost $1,700,000 annually.
0.01% amounts to 19 families earning an average of $9,141,190 annually.
Pennsylvania is ranked 23rd out of the 50 states for Household Income and Lancaster County is ranked 15th out of 67 counties in PA.
So national average should pretty much apply and the above may even be understating the number of wealthy Lancaster County families.
So who are these nineteen fortunate families earning in excess of $9 million a year?
We venture to say that very few know. We tend to think in terms of the Steinmans, the Highs, some may even say the Fields, but it is conceivable that none belong to that exclusive ‘club of nineteen.’ They likely are a younger generation, often earning their millions from outside the community, even from outside the state and the country.
And let’s not discount the 0.1% 174 (193 – 19) who are earning well over a million dollars a year. (We can’t tell the exact figure because the 0.01% income is included with that group.)
So here is our point. Good ideas backed by good people can find financial backing either through investments or donations. Since many of these multi-millionaires, in some case quasi-billionaires, are only middle age, they are just beginning to contemplate their legacy through combining skills with philanthropy.
The aforementioned contributor moves in different circles from the 193 families mentioned above and, even when acquainted, would likely have no idea of their affluence. (Putting on airs is not well regarded here in Lancaster.)
But the contributor in incorrect in stating “There is no money.” It is just that the ‘professor’, the mayor, a very learned lawyer and academic but not a business person, not a doer, and without clear vision, is clueless on how to tap support. In fact, he won’t even consult with those who are eager to make sound suggestions and contributions.
Of course Lancaster Square East could have been redeveloped with private and governmental support.
Of course the storm water sewer crisis could be properly dealt with should private ideas and support been encouraged.
And of course Lancaster could have a bike rental program downtown and at the Amtrak station if any Lancaster organization or ad hoc group got behind the concept. (It is relatively inexpensive and has tremendous tourist attraction.)
Lancaster was poised to undergo a fabulous renaissance over the past decade.
Horrible leadership by the Lancaster Newspapers and private interests hamstrung the city in several ways with the white elephant of a convention center.
A misled and bungling board of directors of the Pennsylvania Academy of Music failed to control the artistic administrators and a highly promising school and much contributor money went down the drain.
And prime locations for upscale residential condominium, so prevalent in the gentrification of similar downtowns, are virtually non-existent due to planning bungling.
All that is needed are a few public spirited Lancastrians with ‘Can do’ experience to get behind initiatives, not to feast at the public trough as is so often has been the case, but rather to benefit our community.
We have done it again and again here and elsewhere over the decades. Now it is your turn.
