LNP editorial: “Arrest for making a statement at a public forum in Conestoga Twp.: Outrageous”
According to the article:
“School boards and municipal boards often limit public comments as far as time and sometimes — unwisely, we think — adhere only to the letter of Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act (which mandates public bodies to accept public comment but does not require officials to respond) by refusing to answer questions posed during public comment. Deeming anything but a question out of order is another matter.”
We don’t want to tar the current management of LNP with the sins of their predecessors (although ownership should not be excused), but refusing to answer quesetions was the technique used by Ted Darcus, then Chair of the Lancaster County Convention Center Authority and never questioned by LNP, to silence critics of the proposed project.
Of course LNP was and remains a partner in Penn Square Partners, the equitable owner of the Marriott Hotel portion of the Convention Center project.
Public charity Lancaster General Hospital goes one step further. It bans the public from its meetings and only allows comments, let alone questions, in private session during the annual general meetings. We haven’t heard a word of criticism from LNP about Lancaster General’s conduct.
Birds of a feather flock together.