City council and guests received an overview of the factors driving the 5% hike in city taxes under the proposed 2009 budget on Monday night. It’s the economy, stupid. At least that’s where Mayor Rick Gray and City Business Administrator Patrick Hopkins pin most of the blame. “We’re definitely seeing an impact from the national […]
Tag: News and Commentary
What’s happening around Lancaster this week?
“Thanksgiving Holiday All You Can Play!” laser tag continues on Monday, Dec. 1 at Laserdome in Manheim. For $20 per person, you can play all day from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. For an additional $5, you can enjoy unlimited soda, popcorn, and two slices of pizza. Laserdome is located at 2050 Auction Road in […]
Derivation of "Black Friday"
A news report on the BBC network explained that the “Black” in “Black Friday” referred to the start of the holiday season which enabled merchants to stop losing money (in the “red” since losses in hand written ledgers were designated with red ink) and start making money (thus in the “black”.) Here we thought “Black […]
The library SYSTEM receives millions; the libraries get peanuts
At last week’s County Commissioners meeting, Library SYSTEM Executive Director Susan Hauer showed pluck by getting up during the Public Comment portion and asking if she might make a presentation concerning the need for SYSTEM funding. And to their credit, the Commissioners graciously allowed her to do so. (The commissioners indulge visitors including the publisher […]
A dog’s life in a bear market
by Chris Hart-Nibbrig A nation in financial free-fall has forced many Americans to make some very heartbreaking decisions, including whether to give up the family dog. For these people, a job layoff or foreclosed home has meant moving across state lines, or into an apartment that does not accept pets, or with relatives who don’t […]
Publisher taken to school on local issues
With reporter Matt Henderson on assignment elsewhere, our publisher covered what appeared to be a routine and not particular newsworthy County Commissioners meeting last week. Indeed, the only coverage by the Intell was a short artice about the purchase by the county of several easements on farms to prevent their future development. Rick Kastner, Executive […]
Legitimate concerns about rail yard relocation
Below are two of the reasons why members of TRRAAC, an organization of neighbors, desire that governmental authorities explore the relative feasibility and desirability of proposed alternate sites for the relocation of the Nofolk Southern rail yard: As currently proposed by F&M, the project would take a 100 year old railyard, in and surrrounded by […]
EDITORIAL: City Council stonewalling
For the second time in two months on Tuesday night, a member of city government made a strong statement about the public not being allowed to ask questions during the public comment section of city council meetings. During a comment from a member of the public, City Council President Louise Williams warned, “There will be […]
City property taxes to rise 5% under proposed 2009 budget
City property taxes will rise five percent under the City of Lancaster’s proposed 2009 budget, Mayor Gray announced Tuesday night. Gray told City Council and guests that he did not intend on raising taxes, but that economic realities have forced his hand. The tax hike “equates to a $35 increase for the average residential property […]
Fourth streetcar accident this year
Is the following account an omen of things to come? “The South Lake Union Streetcar Thursday was involved in its fourth accident since it began operation in December when a car allegedly ran a stop sign and hit the trolley.” No injuries were reported and minor damage was sustained to bumpers in each of the […]
SD of L fails to teach basic typing skill
In this age of computers, it has been observed that most McCaskey High School students do not know how to properly type. This includes even those in advanced academic tracts. Computer skills are as fundamental as math and English for young people to move on to college or gainful employment. In times past and in […]
Christian Street vacated at Convention Center
In response to questions raised in letters concerning Christian Street and the purpose of the concrete construction at the end of the block, NewsLanc inquired as follow of Tom Smithgall, Project Manager employed by the High Group: “Did Lancaster City abandon or cede a portion of Christian Street to the LCCCA or project developers? What […]
CC Marketing Director Clarifies "90 commitments" reported in Sunday News
It was written on page D-2 of the November 23 Sunday News under “Briefly Noted” that “Interstate Hotels & Resorts, the company managing the center and the adjoining Marriott Lancaster at Penn Square hotel, said it has more than 90 commitments for conventions, meetings and other functions at the new center.” A NewsLanc reader brought […]
What’s happening around Lancaster this week
Here are some of the events occurring in and around the City of Lancaster this week: On Monday, November 24, there will be poetry reading by Oni Buchanan at 8:00 p.m. at the Philadelphia Alumni Writers House on the campus of Franklin & Marshall College. “Experimental poet Oni Buchanan holds an M.F.A. from the Iowa […]