Something simply doesn’t add up.
We don’t mean to detract one jot of our praise of County Commission Chair Scott Martin for the pro-active role he has played in helping to resolve the Convention Center debt crisis. The Center has become a “tar baby” and he had no skin in the game and could have safely remained on the sidelines.
Instead Martin took the lead and risked blame from all sides if a grand compromise with meaningful concessions by Penn Square Partners and Wells Fargo Bank could not achieved.
Through an affiliate, The Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. is a half partner in Penn Square Partners, equitable owner of the Marriott Hotel that connects to the Center. The general partner is an affiliate of S. Dale High.
Although the proposed settlement imposes significant sacrifices on Penn Square Partners, from the time that Martin volunteered for his role through last week’s press conference at which he set forth the proposed rescue plan, the Lancaster Newspapers have not in any way cast a shadow on Martin’s efforts or his proposals.
As former commissioners Dick Shellenberger and Molly Henderson have reason to know, no public official can ‘cross’ the Lancaster Newspapers and be re-elected. Therefore we conclude that Martin had at least tacit approval for his efforts with an implied understanding that the chips could fall where they may.
If that indeed is what has happened, we owe thanks not only to Commissioner Martin but also to the half ownership of Penn Square Partners that sees beyond grasping hold of all its one sided provisions.
“Meaningful concessions”??? “Significant sacrifices”??? I don’t think so…not in comparison to what Wells Fargo, Lancaster City, the Redevelopment Authority and the Convention Center itself are being asked to make.
PSP should be the lead horse in making up the difference, not an ‘equal partner’, and certainly not forking over less than the rest. Perhaps if the PSP share of concessions were equal to the combined total of concessions being asked of the other parties involved it would ne more palatable to the taxpaying publiv…this was THEIR project from inception; and THEY should be the primary party held responsible.
And using grant money earmarked for community improvements is NOT an acceptable solution either. Funds were diverted from the library system towards this albatross in the past…lets’ hope we have learned from that lesson.
I will never understand the benefit of the doubt that you give to LNP on a wide range of issues. That said, this one if NOT put to bed yet.
PSP did not show at the press conference and Fitzgerald’s comments in the paper were anything but a ringing endorsement. PSP may yet push back and force changes, delay or demise to the Martin Plan.
If they do, I am sure their partner in the unholy alliance that is PSP will be there to help. Even if you want to give credit to LNP for laying off Martin, I would suggest waiting until this is a done deal….it is far from that.