It was fitting that one of the most important editorials in some time to appear in the Intelligencer Journal was published on the evening of the day of Chariman John ‘Jack’ Buckwalter’s sudden death.
In “Democracy’s doorways”, the Intelligencer Journal is critical of state cut backs in financial aid to the library systems and threw its considerable influence behind greater local support. To wit:
“The Lancaster County Planning Commission is drafting an economic development sustainability component as part of the county’s comprehensive plan. Among the items being discussed are way to improve the quality of life in Lancaster County and to develop a climate where creativity can flourish and fuel growth.
“For that to occur, local libraries must have a place at the table. Libraries need stale, sustainable funding sources a state, county and local levels to provide the services and information businesses and an informed public requires.”
Perhaps we may yet see an editorial extolling the work of the Bethel AME syringe exchange and encouraging local support.
Still more courageous would be an editorial suggesting that Lancaster General Hospital become more transparent in its governance and, as a ‘Public Charity’, share more of its profits with organizations pursuing public health and education.
After a lamentable rough patch, Jack Buckwalter left behind newspapers that were continuing the Steinman Family’s proud journalitstic traditions. The best way to honor his memory is to inform the public and stand up to powerful interests. In short, “Be strong and have courage.”
Over the long term, this will also be the best business stragegy. We are transitioning to an era whereby newspapers will only be on the Internet and there will be charges for some access. In that circumstance, “content will be king.”
Re the Intell’s editorial the same day Jack Buckwalter died:
It is interesting to note that Rendell authorized funding the construction of two libraries honoring two politicians who will soon be forgotten, while the state cuts funding to libraries.
How well will these new libraries function after they have been built? Considering how much funding for public libraries has been reduced, the level of service they will be able to offer probably won’t be impressive. An additional $20 million might have been better spent on our current public libraries. Surely librarians across the state would have been happy to name a room or branch after Specter or Murtha in exchange for increased state funding.
Fortunately for us, our local libraries can depend upon our county commissioners and local government officials to make up the loss of funding….right?
As for LGH’s reluctance to fund a program of needle exchanges, let’s assume they’re not just stingy but have some legitimate concerns … perhaps they would rather make a donation to the library but just don’t know where to send the money.
Lancaster’s newspapers are always worth reading. All of them!
I think it’s shameful for you to invoke Buckwalter’s death to make a stupid trite pitch for minor annual budget adjustments and “syringe exchanges.” What stubborn arrogant myopia.
You’re the only one calling LGH a “public charity.”
EDITOR’S RESPONSE: “Public Charity” is the federal category under which LGH obtains its tax exempt status. It is a not-for-profit institution. As such, it is obliged to serve the public.
If it were a for-profit corporation, about $35 million of its $100 million average profits would be returned to the public in the form of corporate and personal income taxes.
It also would be subject to share holder scrutiny.
Thus, given the Public Charity status, the public should have some say in how the astounding profits, largely derived through market dominence and at policy holder’s expense, are to be utilized.