NewsLanc has learned this morning that County Administrator Mark Esterbrook has submitted to the County Commissioners his resignation effective April 8, 2008. Esterbrook is receiving 3 months of severance pay ($42,311) and his medical benefits will continue for the same period. Asked whether Esterbrook left willingly or was asked to leave, Commissioner Chairman Dennis Stuckey […]

The convention center is scheduled to open in about one year, not two years. The master developer (High), the construction management company (Reynolds), and the marketing/management company (Interstate) are reporting to two masters (PSP-RACL and the LCCCA). We need an executive director who has the right background and qualifications to oversee and monitor these activities […]

Kevin Molloy was only a third-tier manager in Erie. He probably sees “Executive Director” as a career move, which will look good on his resume. The previous “Executive Director” and “Chairman” left the incumbent board and staff with a very-poorly planned budget and path forward. Art Morris has repeatedly taken a nearly-impossible situation and made […]

Here’s my question – and I am totally serious. What in the world is this guy going to do? Here we are paying this guy $400 per day when: – There is No convention center for almost two years– ALL work is contracted out– There are two other employees (one just left but I’m sure […]

A month ago, apparently without doing a modicum of investigation, local Rotary Club President Alexandra Weisensale ejected NewsLanc reporter Matt Henderson from a meeting, where he was routinely covering weekly speakers, something that he had openly been doing for months. Weisensale justified her action by saying that meetings were not open to the media except […]

On April 5, NewsLanc broke the news that $15 million in state funds is being earmarked for a Performance Art Center in downtown Lancaster. First public word concerning the possibility of such a facility was reported by the New Era on September 10. It quoted Mayor Rick Gray as saying: “The orchestra is a home […]

In a special Personnel Committee meeting late this afternoon, the Lancaster County Convention Center Authority unanimously approved the selection of a new Executive Director. Concluding a national search lasting since last September, the Authority selected Kevin R. Molloy as Art Morris’s replacement. Morris has been serving pro bono as the Executive Director of the Authority […]

The Rotary Club of Lancaster held a candidates forum for the Pennsylvania 13th District Senate Race at its April 2 meeting. Candidates Paul Thibault, Lloyd Smucker, Bill Neff, and Steve McDonald discussed and debated issues of local political significance, according to well-placed sources. NewsLanc did not receive an invitation to this event. Surprisingly, neither did […]

The attempts by advocates of a “rail trail” along the former Enola Low Grade Line in the southern portion of the County to bring that vision to fruition have been frustrating. Since the project’s inception, it has faced skepticism and opposition from residents in some areas of the County. One of those areas is Bart […]

It was announced today that the Lancaster Post, a weekly tabloid, will be launched on April 17. The Post will also provide supplemental coverage and features at LancasterPost.com. The Post is the joint creation of Ron Harper, Jr., publisher of 5thestate.com, and Christiaan Hart Nibbrig, a veteran journalist. Harper recently announced that 5thEstate.com will shut […]

One of the seven municipalities through which the old Norfolk Southern Enola Low-Grade Rail Line runs is Sadsbury Township. In fact, it’s the first if you follow the tracks in from the east. Many in the County would like to see the line become a “rail trail” recreation area, akin to the very successful ones […]

The following is NewsLanc reporter Matt Henderson’s interview on March 19 of Commissioner Craig Lehman concerning the $46,000 in election contributions he received from special interest groups, many of which have no apparent reason to be supporting a candidate for Lancaster County Commissioner: Q: How do you respond to the revelation that much of your […]

In a letter dated March 26, publisher Ron Harper, Jr. announced that 5thEstate.com will “shut down” on April 30, stating “Economic realities have forced a difficult decision…It’s time to move on.” Harper relates: “With meticulous documentation (and, frankly, not a little ingenuity and courage), 5thEstate has provided you with the information you need to make […]

Given that Convention Center Chairman Art Morris had described a meeting with Penn Square Partners as “fact finding” and had limited discussion as to naming rights, it is wise for the meeting to be rescheduled for a later date when preparations can be given more attention. Hopefully Morris and the Board will choose a delegation […]