City Council Appoints Dickson, Reappoints Darcus to LCCCA

"The Mayor has submitted the name of Mr. Ted Darcus for reappointment to the Convention Center Authority for a term beginning January 22, 20008 to January 22 2012. As the former Chair and member of the Authority, we're happy to recommend his re-appointment," City Councilman and Chair of the the Council's Personnel Committee Nelson Polite said.

Darcus was then confirmed to the position by unanimous vote of the Council.

Polite then brought forward the nomination of Julianne Dickson to replace Joseph Morales on the Convention Center Authority, describing her as "a gold medal former Council President."

Dickson was also confirmed by unanimous vote.

Asked by a NewsLanc reporter why he decided to resign from the Convention Center Authority, Morales acknowledged a possible conflict of interest, saying, "From potential of a conflict as well as my commitment as an elected official, I felt that that takes a certain precedence over my role on the Authority Board. The timing was good and I felt that I sort of owed it to Council to give that my full attention."

"I probably could have stayed on, but my wife and my doctor made me slow down," he added with a smile.

In other business, City Council approved by unanimous vote a zoning amendment changing the classification of a 1.38 acre tract of land located on the south side of Seymour Street and the Northeast side of Fairview Avenue from commercial to residential. As NewsLanc had previously reported, Preferred Self Storage, Inc., and David Miller Associates requested the amendment in order to make way for the development of 19 residential units along Fairview Avenue in front of the storage facility.

Mayor Rick Gray announced that more than 23 citations were issued last week under the City's new Ordinance regarding "Keys in Locks."

"Residents are reminded," the Mayor said, "that an increase in the number of vehicles stolen in the City can negatively impact the insurance rates of everyone living in the City."

Gray also announced that construction on the Convention Center will "lead to closure of one lane of Vine Street for approximately two weeks" next month.

"The westbound lane will be closed and some parking will be removed between Duke and Queen Streets for a lane shift, but traffic will remain open in both directions," he continued.

Gray also announced the reaching of an agreement between the City and the management of the Lancaster Barnstormers "on certain conditions for the issuance of permits for fireworks displays."

Under the agreement, fireworks permits will be denied if the noise level is deemed "excessive," the Barnstormers will attempt "to provide a visually pleasing display while minimizing the impact of noise on the surrounding neighborhoods," and all displays must conclude before 11 pm, according to Gray.