In a surprisingly welcome moment during Thursday afternoon's Public Relations, Marketing, & Hospitality Committee meeting of the Lancaster County Convention Center Authority, Interim Executive Director and Chair Art Morris announced that the Authority will revisit the controversial contract that awards certain naming priorities to the Convention Center to S. Dale High and shares 50% of the resulting revenue with Penn Square Partners.
"The idea, really, is that, we have an agreement that covers this and we haven't really moved forward in looking at the issue in a complete way," Morris began.
Joe Morales agreed, "Certainly a closer look will have to be taken at this document" and explained, "For those unfamiliar, we have what is called a Condominium Document that was drawn-up very early on in the preparation of this project. And I think I'll be as diplomatic as I can in saying that there are a couple of provisions of this agreement that I think are not entirely in the best interest of this authority."
Morales then proceeded to read section 5.3 of that agreement, including the provision S. Dale High "shall have the right of first offer with respect to all naming rights."
But Morales hesitated. "As far as I'm concerned," he said, "we're fairly well bound by the legality of this document."
He continued, "I think that it will only by the - what's a good word here, largesse - of Mr. S. Dale High that any changes are made or even entertained so I would encourage this Board and this particular committee to enter such conversations with Mr. High to maybe allow this authority a greater deal of flexibility in negotiating naming rights."
"Any other comments before we open the floor?" Morales asked.
"No," Laura Douglass said through clenched teeth, drawing laughter from the Board.
Then Lancaster City resident Randolph Carney arose and said: "I recommend to this committee that you do not sell the naming rights. I know money's an issue, but of all the agreements, this is one of the worst. And it is to the great disadvantage of the taxpayers of Lancaster County. There is nothing in that agreement that says you must sell the naming rights...Just drop it."
Board member R.B. Campbell, in attendance but not on the Public Relations, Marketing, & Hospitality Committee, disagreed with Morales' earlier statement, saying, "I don't think it's appropriate for us to assume that this is a legally binding contract. None of us here are attorneys. I'm not saying it's not, but I think it certainly needs to be looked at by an attorney who has appropriately research this issue. Number 2: this agreement was entered into a number of years ago and very few of the current board members were present when this one negotiated."
Campbell went on to say: "I think, at a minimum, we need to know who represented the Authority, in negotiating this particular issue. and we need to talk to that person to get their best recollection of how the negotiations took place, and that may shed some light on this."
Morris stressed that "No decisions have been made. This is just a beginning point that, between meetings, we can look at the issue and come back to another meeting with a recommendation" He said he would consult with Authority Solicitor Chris Hauser on the issue.
Douglas suggested that Tom LeCrone be the member who is appointed to assist Morris in revisiting these contracts with Penn Square Partners.
Earlier in the meeting, Morris had stated:
"It was several years ago looked at and my understanding was that there was a sense that maybe there was not a significant opportunity for revenue. But I don't think the board in the recent year or so has really looked at this issue and decided how to go forward with it. One of the things that has been discussed in the past, and I think that most people who come to these meetings regularly, at least, and those on the board are well aware of, is that the revenue from naming rights are shared 50% between the unit owner of the Convention Center and the unit owner of the Hotel. Consequently, the idea of putting this out today was to get direction from the Committee and at least ask the Committee and others present whether you would consider recommending to the board the name of a board member - appointing somebody that could actually meet with me between meetings and one of the things I would suggest that we do initially is meet with the other party that would receive some of this revenue to start talking about how we could begin to look at this issue, whether it is a revenue opportunity and, if so, how can we work together with the other party to share the costs of looking at it and it requires hiring somebody to help us but it would be done in a shared-cost way."
Surprisingly, the suspect contractual arrangement whereby Penn Square Partners would receive half of any additional grants to the Convention Center was not discussed.
Earlier in the meeting, the Committee heard an update on marketing and sales efforts from Josh Nowak of Interstate Hotels & Resorts and Chris Barrett of the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau. Nowak announced that there are now five event bookings, some which will bring approximately 3,400 people a day to the city.
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Friday, January 18, 2008
Need to Distinguish "Traditional" From Planned Residential Development
In in his Intelligencer Journal column of Jan. 18 headed "Like it or not, it is time to talk TND," Jeff Hawkes leads by saying "In a democracy, the will of the people is sometimes going to frustrate common sense." There is no arguing with that. But as philanthropist George Soros has opined "A well informed public over time will tend to make better decisions."
Hawkes seems to be under the mistaken impression that TND is an innovation for achieving more dense utilization of ground and creating a village-like neighborhood. In fact, many municipalities have for decades made provisions for Planned Residential Development including a certain amount of commercial area to serve their residents.
Hawkes attributes the opposition to the proposed Traditional Neighborhood Development [TND] to irrational fear: "Residents whipped each other into such a frenzy of fear that they stampeded the East Hempfield supervisors into rejecting a concept worth considering and refining, and they did so before the voices of reason could clear their throats." But by published accounts, some criticism of the plan seemed quite cogent.
Reported East Hempfield citizenry's concerns as well as NewsLanc's Editorial "East Hempfield TND May Benefit From Adjustments" included: (1) the excessively high amount of permitted commercial usage that could have led to shopping centers to serve the region rather than small stores to serve the planned neighborhood and (2) the dubious concept of insisting on alleyways between the rear of townhouses which reduces density, eliminates common back yards, increases paving by a third, is environmentally unfriendly, creates security issues for the future, and drives up cost of construction and future maintenance.
In short, it is "Traditional" as proposed by the East Hempfield planners that has been challenged, not the concept of planned residential community allowing twice as much mixed type housing units (single family, single lot line, and townhouses) as the post World War II three-to-the-acre, single family housing developments.
Hawkes is right about the need for mixed used, higher density, village-like developments to avoid urban sprawl. But "smart growth" requires attention to the details, not genuflecting to a misleading name.
Hawkes seems to be under the mistaken impression that TND is an innovation for achieving more dense utilization of ground and creating a village-like neighborhood. In fact, many municipalities have for decades made provisions for Planned Residential Development including a certain amount of commercial area to serve their residents.
Hawkes attributes the opposition to the proposed Traditional Neighborhood Development [TND] to irrational fear: "Residents whipped each other into such a frenzy of fear that they stampeded the East Hempfield supervisors into rejecting a concept worth considering and refining, and they did so before the voices of reason could clear their throats." But by published accounts, some criticism of the plan seemed quite cogent.
Reported East Hempfield citizenry's concerns as well as NewsLanc's Editorial "East Hempfield TND May Benefit From Adjustments" included: (1) the excessively high amount of permitted commercial usage that could have led to shopping centers to serve the region rather than small stores to serve the planned neighborhood and (2) the dubious concept of insisting on alleyways between the rear of townhouses which reduces density, eliminates common back yards, increases paving by a third, is environmentally unfriendly, creates security issues for the future, and drives up cost of construction and future maintenance.
In short, it is "Traditional" as proposed by the East Hempfield planners that has been challenged, not the concept of planned residential community allowing twice as much mixed type housing units (single family, single lot line, and townhouses) as the post World War II three-to-the-acre, single family housing developments.
Hawkes is right about the need for mixed used, higher density, village-like developments to avoid urban sprawl. But "smart growth" requires attention to the details, not genuflecting to a misleading name.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
City Planning Commission Receives Updates from Players LGH, RRTA, High
Lancaster General won final approval of its plan to add a 4,000 sq. ft. addition to its College of Nursing & Health Sciences at 410 N. Lime St., from the Lancaster City Planning Commission, Wednesday night.
The city planners approved the action with the qualifications that the College install a sewer module required by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and with an exception for the usual on-site parking requirement, as Lancaster General shuttles its students in from Burle Business Park.
The planners also heard a very preliminary plan from Red Rose Transit Authority (RRTA) and the Lancaster Museum of Art, who propose to purchase and subdivide a 1500 sq-ft. parcel of land in the rear of 215 N. Queen St. with the ultimate end of giving RRTA buses an outlet to Chestnut Street, and possibly building a parking garage on the current parking lot at the corners of Queen & Chestnut.
City Planning Commission member John Lyons pushed for, and won, a resolution, stating that "It is the sense of the commission that, when a plan is developed, that it include space for commercial space along chestnut and North Queen" - an idea to which all parties seemed amenable.
RRTA Executive Director David Kilmer spoke favorably about the idea of encouraging commercial retail space along the ground level of the proposed garage, in addition to having covered space for buses.
And then the city planners acknowledged the elephant in the room. Tom Smithgall of the High Real Estate Group, master developer of the Hotel & Convention Center Project, presented a video just short of four minutes showing "artistic conceptions" of what the facility will look like when it is finally completed - currently projected for Spring 2009.
Smithgall provided a broad outline of the project's specifications and on the project's progress so far.
Speaking of the representations, City Planner John Lyons said, "When you have this tower that springs out - it looks arresting." He went on to say, "We really want to see this succeed" and expressed hope that the project will also spur nearby commercial investment.
The City Planning Commission meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm in Southern Market Center in conference room 4.
The city planners approved the action with the qualifications that the College install a sewer module required by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and with an exception for the usual on-site parking requirement, as Lancaster General shuttles its students in from Burle Business Park.
The planners also heard a very preliminary plan from Red Rose Transit Authority (RRTA) and the Lancaster Museum of Art, who propose to purchase and subdivide a 1500 sq-ft. parcel of land in the rear of 215 N. Queen St. with the ultimate end of giving RRTA buses an outlet to Chestnut Street, and possibly building a parking garage on the current parking lot at the corners of Queen & Chestnut.
City Planning Commission member John Lyons pushed for, and won, a resolution, stating that "It is the sense of the commission that, when a plan is developed, that it include space for commercial space along chestnut and North Queen" - an idea to which all parties seemed amenable.
RRTA Executive Director David Kilmer spoke favorably about the idea of encouraging commercial retail space along the ground level of the proposed garage, in addition to having covered space for buses.
And then the city planners acknowledged the elephant in the room. Tom Smithgall of the High Real Estate Group, master developer of the Hotel & Convention Center Project, presented a video just short of four minutes showing "artistic conceptions" of what the facility will look like when it is finally completed - currently projected for Spring 2009.
Smithgall provided a broad outline of the project's specifications and on the project's progress so far.
Speaking of the representations, City Planner John Lyons said, "When you have this tower that springs out - it looks arresting." He went on to say, "We really want to see this succeed" and expressed hope that the project will also spur nearby commercial investment.
The City Planning Commission meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm in Southern Market Center in conference room 4.
Henderson's Counsel Won $3.5 Million from Citizens Voice in Defamation Action
The following item pertaining to the Citizens' Voice of Wilkes-Barre is from the web site of Kohn Swift & Graf, P. C. of Philadelphia, one of two law firms representing former commissioner Molly Henderson in her suit against the Lancaster Newspapers and others:
On October 27, 2006, in Joseph v. The Scranton Times, LP, et al., Luzerne County Judge Mark A. Ciavarella entered a verdict in favor of Plaintiff Thomas A. Joseph for reputation and economic damages in the amount of $3.5 million.
In a two-week bench trial, KS&G proved that Plaintiff Thomas A. Joseph, a businessman in Pittston, PA, and his business Acumark were defamed by The Scranton Times, LP's daily publication The Citizens' Voice.
In a series of ten articles published in June of 2001 through October of 2001, The Citizens' Voice falsely linked Mr. Joseph and his businesses to a variety of illegal activities. At trial, KS&G not only proved that the articles were false and defamatory but that The Citizens' Voice violated acceptable journalistic standards by negligently reporting, editing, and publishing these articles.
On November 6, 2006, Defendants filed a motion for post-trial relief requesting that the Court either enter a new judgment in favor of Defendants, reduce the amount of damages or order a new trial. Within two days, Judge Ciavarella summarily denied Defendants' motion.
Exclusive: Kucinich Challenging NH Primary
Democratic candidate Dennis Kucinich is challenging the New Hampshire primary and calling for a recount.
A video from Black Box Voting allegedly shows a Diebold ballot counting machine being hacked by switching memory cards. The test showed everything normal, then they fed in 10 optically marked ballots -- 7 Yes and 3 No -- and got an official tally of: 2 Yes and 8 No.
The vote count showed as much as a 16-point departure from polls. The only other times the vote varied that dramatically was in Florida and Ohio.
A precinct analysis of the Diebold machines in NH -- which counted something like 70 percent of the precincts -- showed a dramatic variance from the precincts that were counted by hand. The hand counted precincts matched the polls. The Diebold precincts showed a distinct tilt toward Hillary.
A check was made to determine if the variation could be explained by demographics. The Diebld precincts tended to be urban and might have actually favored Hillary. So they did a mathematical analysis based on prior election results -- and they still found an unexplained tilt toward Hillary.
Since Kucinich did not finish in contention in NH, he is entitled to demand a recount but he will have to pay for it himself.
According to one of the persons involved in the vote examination "This could be one of those rare instances where we could check the count against actual paper ballots. The Diebold machines in NH are optical counters -- not touch screen machines. So paper ballots exist and can be checked precinct by precinct. Finally we can see if it matches or not."
NewsLanc had warned the prior Lancaster commissioners against acquiring used electronic voting machine that did not provide a paper trail, advice accepted by then commissioner Molly Henderson but ignored by Dick Shellenberger and Pete Shaub.
A video from Black Box Voting allegedly shows a Diebold ballot counting machine being hacked by switching memory cards. The test showed everything normal, then they fed in 10 optically marked ballots -- 7 Yes and 3 No -- and got an official tally of: 2 Yes and 8 No.
The vote count showed as much as a 16-point departure from polls. The only other times the vote varied that dramatically was in Florida and Ohio.
A precinct analysis of the Diebold machines in NH -- which counted something like 70 percent of the precincts -- showed a dramatic variance from the precincts that were counted by hand. The hand counted precincts matched the polls. The Diebold precincts showed a distinct tilt toward Hillary.
A check was made to determine if the variation could be explained by demographics. The Diebld precincts tended to be urban and might have actually favored Hillary. So they did a mathematical analysis based on prior election results -- and they still found an unexplained tilt toward Hillary.
Since Kucinich did not finish in contention in NH, he is entitled to demand a recount but he will have to pay for it himself.
According to one of the persons involved in the vote examination "This could be one of those rare instances where we could check the count against actual paper ballots. The Diebold machines in NH are optical counters -- not touch screen machines. So paper ballots exist and can be checked precinct by precinct. Finally we can see if it matches or not."
NewsLanc had warned the prior Lancaster commissioners against acquiring used electronic voting machine that did not provide a paper trail, advice accepted by then commissioner Molly Henderson but ignored by Dick Shellenberger and Pete Shaub.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Newspaper's Leadership: Dumb and Arrogant
Any experienced business person would wince at the apparent business ineptitude and wanton abuse of journalistic prerogatives enumerated in the Henderson vs. Lancaster Newspapers suit.
For years, many have speculated about the business acumen of Lancaster Newspapers' chair, Jack Buckwalter. But to see offense upon offense as described in the law suit leads one to conclude that Buckwalter is both inept and considers himself and his company above retribution.
NewsLanc urges readers to take the time to read the suit in its entirety. It is spellbinding in its narration of the series of events and numerous journalistic misrepresentations! Here are but two excerpts:
"138. With the malicious intent of convincing the public of the truth of their intentionally false publications about Plaintiff, Defendants buried this single "correction/clarification" that related to an issue that Defendants had made the subject of five false but emphatic front page stories or Editorials deep into the interior of the May 9, 2007 edition of the New Era. Upon information and belief, hundreds of thousands of people read the five stories falsely accusing Plaintiff of participating in a 'secret sale' of Conestoga View but only a fraction of this same readership read the belated 'corrections/clarifications' that explicitly acknowledged the false statements that had directly accused Plaintiff of participating in a 'secret' sale of Conestoga View. Under these circumstances, as deliberately contemplated by Defendants, this 'correction/clarification' completely failed to ameliorate the falsity of the earlier publications and was ineffectual in repairing any of the damage caused to Plaintiff and to Plaintiff's reputation by the earlier false and defamatory publications."
"143. On information and belief, not only was Defendant Buckwalter, as the senior executive for Defendant LNI, requiring Defendant LNI's reporters and editors to attack Plaintiff for her actions that were contrary to the financial interests of PSP and Defendant LNI regarding the Convention Center and Hotel Project but, on at least one occasion according to former New Era reporter John M. Spidaliere, Defendant Buckwalter authorized the Editor Defendants to publish an article attacking Plaintiff that used a specific reporter's byline even though the reporter did not write the article."
It is natural to look at any plaintif's accusations with a degree of skepticism, but here we find repetition of misrepresentations by the newspapers both before and repeatedly after having published corrections in obscure, back page locations.
Buckwater should demonstrate the decency to enter retirement. Ernie Schreiber, editor of the New Era, should be shown the gate. The three newspapers should be allowed to compete for readership and take opposing positions, all without influence from top business management. And an ombudsman of unquestionable integrity and from a location far from Lancaster should be engaged to monitor ethics and pursue criticism and complaints from the public.
For years, many have speculated about the business acumen of Lancaster Newspapers' chair, Jack Buckwalter. But to see offense upon offense as described in the law suit leads one to conclude that Buckwalter is both inept and considers himself and his company above retribution.
NewsLanc urges readers to take the time to read the suit in its entirety. It is spellbinding in its narration of the series of events and numerous journalistic misrepresentations! Here are but two excerpts:
"138. With the malicious intent of convincing the public of the truth of their intentionally false publications about Plaintiff, Defendants buried this single "correction/clarification" that related to an issue that Defendants had made the subject of five false but emphatic front page stories or Editorials deep into the interior of the May 9, 2007 edition of the New Era. Upon information and belief, hundreds of thousands of people read the five stories falsely accusing Plaintiff of participating in a 'secret sale' of Conestoga View but only a fraction of this same readership read the belated 'corrections/clarifications' that explicitly acknowledged the false statements that had directly accused Plaintiff of participating in a 'secret' sale of Conestoga View. Under these circumstances, as deliberately contemplated by Defendants, this 'correction/clarification' completely failed to ameliorate the falsity of the earlier publications and was ineffectual in repairing any of the damage caused to Plaintiff and to Plaintiff's reputation by the earlier false and defamatory publications."
"143. On information and belief, not only was Defendant Buckwalter, as the senior executive for Defendant LNI, requiring Defendant LNI's reporters and editors to attack Plaintiff for her actions that were contrary to the financial interests of PSP and Defendant LNI regarding the Convention Center and Hotel Project but, on at least one occasion according to former New Era reporter John M. Spidaliere, Defendant Buckwalter authorized the Editor Defendants to publish an article attacking Plaintiff that used a specific reporter's byline even though the reporter did not write the article."
It is natural to look at any plaintif's accusations with a degree of skepticism, but here we find repetition of misrepresentations by the newspapers both before and repeatedly after having published corrections in obscure, back page locations.
Buckwater should demonstrate the decency to enter retirement. Ernie Schreiber, editor of the New Era, should be shown the gate. The three newspapers should be allowed to compete for readership and take opposing positions, all without influence from top business management. And an ombudsman of unquestionable integrity and from a location far from Lancaster should be engaged to monitor ethics and pursue criticism and complaints from the public.
County Commissioners Get an Earful from Friends of Fired Naturalist
When the County Commissioners entered the Courthouse to conduct their weekly meeting, Wednesday morning, they found a packed room.
Some 30 County residents, many of them children, came out in support of a Lancaster County Parks Naturalist they say was unfairly terminated on December 21 of last year.
"I know her to be an intelligent, inspiring, dedicated member of Lancaster's park community. She is an asset that is simply too valuable to lose," said Linda Timberlake of Lancaster Township. "We're asking you to join us and reinstate Lisa Sanchez," she continued.
Commissioner Chair Dennis Stuckey replied to the group, "I would like to thank you all for coming out. I can grasp the passion with which you speak and I thank you for understanding that this is a personnel issue and we really can't comment on it."
The rumor with Ms. Sanchez's friends and supporters is that she was fired over a dispute she had with her boss, Lancaster County Parks director James Hackett, over the use of a classroom at the Lancaster County Environmental Center.
Other actions approved by the Commissioners at the meeting include the renewal of a contract between the Lancaster County Prison and Support for Prison Ministries of Lititz, Pennsylvania, to provide chaplain services at the Prison, and approval of a series of contacts between the County Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation and various providers of those services.
Director of Business for the Lancaster County Prison assured the Commissioners and those present that chaplaincy services are available to persons of any religious denomination and that participation is strictly voluntary.
It was also announced by the Commissioners that a special meeting will be held on January 31 at 7pm at the Farm & Home Center for the purpose of discussing the Sunshine Act. According to Commission Chair Dennis Stuckey, Doug Hill, the Executive Director of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, and Terry Henney of the Pennsylvania Newspapers association will make themselves available to answer questions from the public about the Sunshine Act.
Some 30 County residents, many of them children, came out in support of a Lancaster County Parks Naturalist they say was unfairly terminated on December 21 of last year.
"I know her to be an intelligent, inspiring, dedicated member of Lancaster's park community. She is an asset that is simply too valuable to lose," said Linda Timberlake of Lancaster Township. "We're asking you to join us and reinstate Lisa Sanchez," she continued.
Commissioner Chair Dennis Stuckey replied to the group, "I would like to thank you all for coming out. I can grasp the passion with which you speak and I thank you for understanding that this is a personnel issue and we really can't comment on it."
The rumor with Ms. Sanchez's friends and supporters is that she was fired over a dispute she had with her boss, Lancaster County Parks director James Hackett, over the use of a classroom at the Lancaster County Environmental Center.
Other actions approved by the Commissioners at the meeting include the renewal of a contract between the Lancaster County Prison and Support for Prison Ministries of Lititz, Pennsylvania, to provide chaplain services at the Prison, and approval of a series of contacts between the County Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation and various providers of those services.
Director of Business for the Lancaster County Prison assured the Commissioners and those present that chaplaincy services are available to persons of any religious denomination and that participation is strictly voluntary.
It was also announced by the Commissioners that a special meeting will be held on January 31 at 7pm at the Farm & Home Center for the purpose of discussing the Sunshine Act. According to Commission Chair Dennis Stuckey, Doug Hill, the Executive Director of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, and Terry Henney of the Pennsylvania Newspapers association will make themselves available to answer questions from the public about the Sunshine Act.
ANALYSIS: Higher Standard of Proof Required
Due to the media's First Amendment rights, former commissioner Molly Henderson's suit again the Lancaster Newspapers et al. will have to surmount a higher standard of proof than would have been required for a suit against an individual.
The controlling case in law is New York Times vs. Sullivan. The following is an excerpt from a Wikipedia article:
"New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254, was a United States Supreme Court case which established the actual malice actual standard before press reports could be considered to be defamation and libel and hence allowed free reporting of the civil rights campaigns in the southern United States. It is one of the key decisions supporting the freedom of the press. The actual malice standard requires that the plaintiff in a defamation or libel case prove that the publisher of the statement in question knew that the statement was false or acted in reckless disregard of its truth or falsity. Because of the extremely high burden of proof on the plaintiff, and the difficulty in proving essentially what is inside a person's head, such cases — when they involve public figures — rarely prevail."
The circumstances under which Henderson is suing the Lancaster Newspapers differ from the Sullivan case since Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. is accused of biased reporting to promote its business interest as a partner in Penn Square Partners, the developer of the future Marriott Hotel. Motivation is an important factor to be weighed by a jury.
Whatever the ultimate outcome of the case, newspaper employees will be called upon to testify concerning what inappropriate influence, if any, took place. If the case actually gets to trial, barring an out of court settlement, it will probably be the 'best show in town' for those from Lancaster who care to travel to the Chester County Court House.
The controlling case in law is New York Times vs. Sullivan. The following is an excerpt from a Wikipedia article:
"New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254, was a United States Supreme Court case which established the actual malice actual standard before press reports could be considered to be defamation and libel and hence allowed free reporting of the civil rights campaigns in the southern United States. It is one of the key decisions supporting the freedom of the press. The actual malice standard requires that the plaintiff in a defamation or libel case prove that the publisher of the statement in question knew that the statement was false or acted in reckless disregard of its truth or falsity. Because of the extremely high burden of proof on the plaintiff, and the difficulty in proving essentially what is inside a person's head, such cases — when they involve public figures — rarely prevail."
The circumstances under which Henderson is suing the Lancaster Newspapers differ from the Sullivan case since Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. is accused of biased reporting to promote its business interest as a partner in Penn Square Partners, the developer of the future Marriott Hotel. Motivation is an important factor to be weighed by a jury.
Whatever the ultimate outcome of the case, newspaper employees will be called upon to testify concerning what inappropriate influence, if any, took place. If the case actually gets to trial, barring an out of court settlement, it will probably be the 'best show in town' for those from Lancaster who care to travel to the Chester County Court House.
Henderson Sues Outside Lancaster County
NewsLanc has learned that former County Commissioner Molly Henderson's lawsuit against Lancaster Newspapers was filed in Chester County.
Lawsuits can be initiated and heard in any county in which the defendant does business. Lancaster newspapers are sold in Chester County.
It is regrettable that the Convention Center Authority's and Penn Square Partners' lawsuits against the County Commissioners were not tried in a neutral county. If so, upscale condominiums in a mix-used building might be underway on the Watt & Shand site rather than the convention center project.
Lawsuits can be initiated and heard in any county in which the defendant does business. Lancaster newspapers are sold in Chester County.
It is regrettable that the Convention Center Authority's and Penn Square Partners' lawsuits against the County Commissioners were not tried in a neutral county. If so, upscale condominiums in a mix-used building might be underway on the Watt & Shand site rather than the convention center project.
"Justice, Justice" - Henderson Sues Newspapers!
At long last justice may be done! Molly Henderson has brought suit against Lancaster Newspapers for their biased misrepresentation of her over the course of the battle pertaining to a county guarantee of convention center debt.
She is asking $50,000 plus punitive damages. It is the punitive damages that the monopoly newspapers need to fear because they could amount to millions; if justice be done, tens of millions.
Perhaps the biggest question is whether the suit can be heard outside of Lancaster County, so that Henderson's claims can be judged by citizens who have not been bombarded by years of biased and self-serving reporting.
According to the Intelligencer-Journal (and they should know!), "The lawsuit alleges Lancaster Newspapers management, reporters and editors conspired to discredit Henderson in a bid to get her out of office to protect the
company's financial interests as a partner in the hotel portion of the project."
The article also names John M. Buckwalter, Raymond Shaw, Ernest J. Schreiber, Marvin Adams, Gilbert Smart and Helen Colwell Adams. Also accused are Arthur Morris, a Sunday News columnist and also now the chair of the Convention Center Authority; John H. Brubaker III and David Pidgeon.
Time will tell whether being named in the law suit will cause Morris to withdraw as a candidate for reelection as chair of the Authority.
As NewsLanc repeatedly has indicated, the Intelligencer-Journal and the Sunday News would be good and worthy newspapers if it were not for the
interference of corporate management when parent company interests are at stake. The New Era will be unredeemable until their editor-in-chief and certain panderers and hatchet men, so called "reporters," are replaced.
NewsLanc will be reporting further on this matter as details become available.
She is asking $50,000 plus punitive damages. It is the punitive damages that the monopoly newspapers need to fear because they could amount to millions; if justice be done, tens of millions.
Perhaps the biggest question is whether the suit can be heard outside of Lancaster County, so that Henderson's claims can be judged by citizens who have not been bombarded by years of biased and self-serving reporting.
According to the Intelligencer-Journal (and they should know!), "The lawsuit alleges Lancaster Newspapers management, reporters and editors conspired to discredit Henderson in a bid to get her out of office to protect the
company's financial interests as a partner in the hotel portion of the project."
The article also names John M. Buckwalter, Raymond Shaw, Ernest J. Schreiber, Marvin Adams, Gilbert Smart and Helen Colwell Adams. Also accused are Arthur Morris, a Sunday News columnist and also now the chair of the Convention Center Authority; John H. Brubaker III and David Pidgeon.
Time will tell whether being named in the law suit will cause Morris to withdraw as a candidate for reelection as chair of the Authority.
As NewsLanc repeatedly has indicated, the Intelligencer-Journal and the Sunday News would be good and worthy newspapers if it were not for the
interference of corporate management when parent company interests are at stake. The New Era will be unredeemable until their editor-in-chief and certain panderers and hatchet men, so called "reporters," are replaced.
NewsLanc will be reporting further on this matter as details become available.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
COMMENTARY: Commissioners Set to Approve Funding for Prison Ministry Program But...
County Commissioners Dennis Stuckey, Scott Martin, and Craig Lehman are expected to act Wednesday on a proposal from the Lancaster County Prison Board to extend a contract with Support For Prison Ministries of Lititz in the amount of $73,080 for chaplain services at the County Prison during the year 2008.
While prison chaplain programs are widespread and useful, they raise concerns about the interface of religion and government. The Supreme Court has repeatedly emphasized that no governmental actor is to take any position endorsing or disapproving of either a particular religion or of theism generally.
While it is important to permit all inmates access to clergy and to the materials they need to exercise their own religious convictions, caution needs to be taken not to cross the fine line between facilitation and coercion - especially in such a captive environment.
NewsLanc suggests that the excellent people at Support For Prison Ministries re-think their "Mission and Purpose" statement posted at its web site in order to make it more ecumenical and to avoid offending Muslims, Jews, other religious groups as well as non-believers. The Mission and Purpose statement lists:
* Touch lives with Christian love
* Present the Gospel in clear and understandable terms.
* Nurture new believers in faith and discipleship.
* Facilitate contacts with churches and Christians on the outside.
* Help develop prison ministry teams in local congregations.
* Provide training to the local church, community and interested persons.
While prison chaplain programs are widespread and useful, they raise concerns about the interface of religion and government. The Supreme Court has repeatedly emphasized that no governmental actor is to take any position endorsing or disapproving of either a particular religion or of theism generally.
While it is important to permit all inmates access to clergy and to the materials they need to exercise their own religious convictions, caution needs to be taken not to cross the fine line between facilitation and coercion - especially in such a captive environment.
NewsLanc suggests that the excellent people at Support For Prison Ministries re-think their "Mission and Purpose" statement posted at its web site in order to make it more ecumenical and to avoid offending Muslims, Jews, other religious groups as well as non-believers. The Mission and Purpose statement lists:
* Touch lives with Christian love
* Present the Gospel in clear and understandable terms.
* Nurture new believers in faith and discipleship.
* Facilitate contacts with churches and Christians on the outside.
* Help develop prison ministry teams in local congregations.
* Provide training to the local church, community and interested persons.
Commissioners Assign Board Memberships
At their weekly work session, Tuesday, the County Commissioners appointed Dennis Stuckey to the Agricultural Preserve Board and to the board of the County Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation.
Craig Lehman was assigned to the Board of the Lancaster County Conservation District and to the Workforce Investment Board.
Additional assignments will likely follow.
Craig Lehman was assigned to the Board of the Lancaster County Conservation District and to the Workforce Investment Board.
Additional assignments will likely follow.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Expanded PAM Campus Key to Downtown Upsurge
The ultimate attractiveness and prosperity of downtown Lancaster depends far more on the expansion of the Pennsylvania Academy of Music (PAM) and facilitating of upscale flats than the $200 million Convention Center Project.
There can be no question of the pure intentions and devotion to the community of those supporting PAM.
NewsLanc salutes the officers of the Board of Trustees: Paul W. Ware, Chair; Ely Gonick, Vice Chair; Ronald Fink, Secretary/Treasurer; Michael Jamanis, President; Frances Veri, Dean.
Other distinguished members of the Trustees are Robert Falk, Jr, M. D; J. Gary Langmuir; Georgina Russo; Dorothy Lyet; Gregg Marco; Margaret Neff; Caroline Steinman Nunan; Michael O'Day; John Reardon; William Regitz; W. John Soost; David Weston, M. D; Willie Ruff.
The benefits of the expenditure of around $30 million dollars in private and public funds on a signature building can only be fully realized if it is the core of a campus serving outstanding high school music students from across the nation and around the world.
This will require dormitories, cafeterias, practice rooms, communal areas, recreational facilities and possibly an additional concert hall. We need not look far to find the ideal facility: The Brunswick Hotel!
The Brunswick has struggled throughout the decades due to a lack of downtown hotel business but is ideally suited to be a key part of the PAM campus.
Not only is there an adjoining former movie theater, but it has over 200 guest rooms, vast meeting and banquet areas, restaurants, an indoor pool and adjoining parking.
Furthermore, PAM could start off with one or two floors as dormitories and gradually expand into the entire facility.
NewsLanc encourages PAM Trustees to evaluate the acquisition of the Brunswick. And as an expression of our belief in the potential of an expanded PAM, NewsLanc pledges a hundred thousand dollar donation for this worthy purpose.
There can be no question of the pure intentions and devotion to the community of those supporting PAM.
NewsLanc salutes the officers of the Board of Trustees: Paul W. Ware, Chair; Ely Gonick, Vice Chair; Ronald Fink, Secretary/Treasurer; Michael Jamanis, President; Frances Veri, Dean.
Other distinguished members of the Trustees are Robert Falk, Jr, M. D; J. Gary Langmuir; Georgina Russo; Dorothy Lyet; Gregg Marco; Margaret Neff; Caroline Steinman Nunan; Michael O'Day; John Reardon; William Regitz; W. John Soost; David Weston, M. D; Willie Ruff.
The benefits of the expenditure of around $30 million dollars in private and public funds on a signature building can only be fully realized if it is the core of a campus serving outstanding high school music students from across the nation and around the world.
This will require dormitories, cafeterias, practice rooms, communal areas, recreational facilities and possibly an additional concert hall. We need not look far to find the ideal facility: The Brunswick Hotel!
The Brunswick has struggled throughout the decades due to a lack of downtown hotel business but is ideally suited to be a key part of the PAM campus.
Not only is there an adjoining former movie theater, but it has over 200 guest rooms, vast meeting and banquet areas, restaurants, an indoor pool and adjoining parking.
Furthermore, PAM could start off with one or two floors as dormitories and gradually expand into the entire facility.
NewsLanc encourages PAM Trustees to evaluate the acquisition of the Brunswick. And as an expression of our belief in the potential of an expanded PAM, NewsLanc pledges a hundred thousand dollar donation for this worthy purpose.
EDITORIAL: East Hempfield TND May Benefit From Adjustments
Traditional Neighborhood Development ordinances have come into vogue in recent years. They are an attempt to recapture some of the design aspects of cities and towns from the past. Yet they can unnecessarily increase construction costs, generate high maintenance expenses for municipalities and home owners, and undermine public safety.
Part of the problem is caused by the requirement of alleys between the rear of row houses to allow access to garages and for the storage and collection of refuse. This eliminates common back yards in which children can play and neighbors can visit.
Furthermore, it increases the cost of constructing streets and curbs by perhaps a third and creates additional paving to maintain. Additional paving means less grass for water percolation and more storm water run off, both detrimental to the environment.
And because of the minimal traffic through alleys, these narrow drives can become hang out areas and thus are potentially dangerous. Today's model TND may become a slum in two decades!
Planned residential developments often permit ten percent for neighborhood commercial space. Examples of allowed uses are Turkey Hills, dry cleaners, barber shops and beauty parlors.
By permitting 20% or more commercial use, there is a likelihood of neighborhood and even regional shopping centers, thus drawing traffic from afar, creating traffic that is dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists, and detracting from the residential ambience of the neighborhood.
It is difficult to accommodate more than eight row houses (or townhouses) per acre in a normal subdivision and only five or six are possible in a TND. In comparison, standard zero lot line housing (one side of the house is on the property line and the lawn and drive are on the other side) may also permit five or six dwelling units to an acre. Single family homes seldom are more than three to an acre.
Thus row houses lose their economic edge and reason to be in a TND if adequate residentially zoned land is available nearby.
In Pennsylvania, the power to plan and zone lies with a quilt work of municipalities ranging in size from cities to exurbia boroughs. The counties only have the power to recommend.
NewsLanc encourages professional planning, not fads. What is good for suburban Manheim Township where land is scarce may not be appropriate for a rural community. A variety of design alternatives can better fit market conditions.
Having decisions made by fragmented government bodies increases the chances of amateurism.
Part of the problem is caused by the requirement of alleys between the rear of row houses to allow access to garages and for the storage and collection of refuse. This eliminates common back yards in which children can play and neighbors can visit.
Furthermore, it increases the cost of constructing streets and curbs by perhaps a third and creates additional paving to maintain. Additional paving means less grass for water percolation and more storm water run off, both detrimental to the environment.
And because of the minimal traffic through alleys, these narrow drives can become hang out areas and thus are potentially dangerous. Today's model TND may become a slum in two decades!
Planned residential developments often permit ten percent for neighborhood commercial space. Examples of allowed uses are Turkey Hills, dry cleaners, barber shops and beauty parlors.
By permitting 20% or more commercial use, there is a likelihood of neighborhood and even regional shopping centers, thus drawing traffic from afar, creating traffic that is dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists, and detracting from the residential ambience of the neighborhood.
It is difficult to accommodate more than eight row houses (or townhouses) per acre in a normal subdivision and only five or six are possible in a TND. In comparison, standard zero lot line housing (one side of the house is on the property line and the lawn and drive are on the other side) may also permit five or six dwelling units to an acre. Single family homes seldom are more than three to an acre.
Thus row houses lose their economic edge and reason to be in a TND if adequate residentially zoned land is available nearby.
In Pennsylvania, the power to plan and zone lies with a quilt work of municipalities ranging in size from cities to exurbia boroughs. The counties only have the power to recommend.
NewsLanc encourages professional planning, not fads. What is good for suburban Manheim Township where land is scarce may not be appropriate for a rural community. A variety of design alternatives can better fit market conditions.
Having decisions made by fragmented government bodies increases the chances of amateurism.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Sunday News's Words to Remember
A Jan. 13 Sunday News's Words to Remember editorial "We gamble and lose, Pennsylvania's foray into slots plays like an episode ripped from a TV crime show," deplores the infiltration of gambling in Pennsylvania by organized crime.
It goes on to say: "We have opposed slots from the beginning because of their potential to corrupt, both individually and systemically, and because state-sanctioned gambling as a short-term fix for long-term tax issues -- in this case the reviled school property tax -- is just bad public policy."
These are words to remember. Because the day may come when casino gambling will be urged to save the publicly-owned Convention Center and the Marriott Hotel in which the Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. is an equal partner.
At which time the Sunday News may rationalize "If all other cities of our size have slots, why shouldn't Lancaster?" And it may be hard to argue with that position in order to salvage the otherwise doomed project.
There has long been an undercurrent that casino gambling is to be introduced in the Penn Square Partner's controlled common area as an attraction for the convention center project. NewsLanc has no evidence that is true. Only time will tell.
It goes on to say: "We have opposed slots from the beginning because of their potential to corrupt, both individually and systemically, and because state-sanctioned gambling as a short-term fix for long-term tax issues -- in this case the reviled school property tax -- is just bad public policy."
These are words to remember. Because the day may come when casino gambling will be urged to save the publicly-owned Convention Center and the Marriott Hotel in which the Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. is an equal partner.
At which time the Sunday News may rationalize "If all other cities of our size have slots, why shouldn't Lancaster?" And it may be hard to argue with that position in order to salvage the otherwise doomed project.
There has long been an undercurrent that casino gambling is to be introduced in the Penn Square Partner's controlled common area as an attraction for the convention center project. NewsLanc has no evidence that is true. Only time will tell.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Nominations for Authority Offices Invalidated
Nominating committee chairman Thomas LeCrone has requested that Convention Center Authority Chair Art Morris "expand the nominating committee to include all board members" and "schedule another nominating committee meeting."
A meeting in December of the three member committee ran into two impasses:
(1) With only three members, it was unlikely that more than one candidate would be nominated and seconded for each office, thus defeating its purpose of providing the Authority board with a choice of candidates.
(2) Former Authority chair and current nominating committee member Ted Darcus mislead the committee by declaring that LeCrone as committee chair was not allowed to nominate or second a candidate!
The result was only Morris nominated for Chair, virtually assuring his re-election.
When confronted days later by a NewsLanc reporter days later with evidence that a committee chair is permitted to nominate, Darcus tried to excuse himself by saying he was just asking a question. But a recording of the proceedings posted on NewsLanc proves otherwise.
Morris had requested a recommendation from LeCrone and had seemed inclined to follow LeCrone's lead.
NewsLanc has sent an inquiry to Morris and anticipates receiving a response soon.
A meeting in December of the three member committee ran into two impasses:
(1) With only three members, it was unlikely that more than one candidate would be nominated and seconded for each office, thus defeating its purpose of providing the Authority board with a choice of candidates.
(2) Former Authority chair and current nominating committee member Ted Darcus mislead the committee by declaring that LeCrone as committee chair was not allowed to nominate or second a candidate!
The result was only Morris nominated for Chair, virtually assuring his re-election.
When confronted days later by a NewsLanc reporter days later with evidence that a committee chair is permitted to nominate, Darcus tried to excuse himself by saying he was just asking a question. But a recording of the proceedings posted on NewsLanc proves otherwise.
Morris had requested a recommendation from LeCrone and had seemed inclined to follow LeCrone's lead.
NewsLanc has sent an inquiry to Morris and anticipates receiving a response soon.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Spraying for West Nile Virus Program Can be Dangerous
The County Commissioners have approved the use of $123,029 in state money for educational efforts and spraying against West Nile Virus.
When spraying for the virus was initially introduced in New York City about seven years ago, some people exposed to the spray experienced respiratory problems. The story was not widely publicized but reports did appear in the back pages of the New York Times and elsewhere.
A seven year old Lancaster youngster who had been walking in New York's Central Park when airborne spraying took place had severe breathing problems upon the return home that evening and had to be treated at Lancaster General Hospital. It took many years before the boy's lungs grew sufficiently that he was again able to play sports.
Hopefully standards have been established to avoid such occurrences.
When spraying for the virus was initially introduced in New York City about seven years ago, some people exposed to the spray experienced respiratory problems. The story was not widely publicized but reports did appear in the back pages of the New York Times and elsewhere.
A seven year old Lancaster youngster who had been walking in New York's Central Park when airborne spraying took place had severe breathing problems upon the return home that evening and had to be treated at Lancaster General Hospital. It took many years before the boy's lungs grew sufficiently that he was again able to play sports.
Hopefully standards have been established to avoid such occurrences.
Alert for School Lane Hills Homeowners
If you have ever wondered why School Lane Hills (SLH) has remained a much sought after suburban neighborhood despite its close proximity to urban areas, you may have recognized this is in large part due to the lack of through traffic.
SLH is bordered by Marietta Avenue and buffered by the Conestoga Creek, the athletic fields of Franklin and Marshall College and, in part, by the Lancaster Country Day School. Because of the natural barriers, almost all traffic is local.
Since all the vehicular traffic is local, pedestrians are both safe and comfortable walking in the streets, so sidewalks have not been necessary. Even today, SLH is an example of "best practice" for neighborhood design.
All this is subject to radical change when Franklin & Marshall College moves ahead with plans to develop their current athletic fields into alumni/alumnae housing and other uses. (F & M is creating athletic fields closer to its campus.) Part of those plans is the extension of Wilson Drive and another street to link SLH with the Harrisburg Pike.
At F & M's prompting, the middle lane of the Harrisburg Pike is currently being replaced with medial islands, partly to slow down and discourage traffic volume. In addition, connections through SLH of the now heavily traveled Harrisburg Pike with the Marietta Pike will divert traffic from the F & M campus.
Now is the time for SLH residents to work with their neighbors and to tell PennDOT, Lancaster and Hempfield Townships, the Lancaster County Planning Board, and F & M College that they don't want School Lane Hills to be turned into a typical urban grid. If they wait until you read about it in the monopoly newspapers, it likely will be too late.
SLH is bordered by Marietta Avenue and buffered by the Conestoga Creek, the athletic fields of Franklin and Marshall College and, in part, by the Lancaster Country Day School. Because of the natural barriers, almost all traffic is local.
Since all the vehicular traffic is local, pedestrians are both safe and comfortable walking in the streets, so sidewalks have not been necessary. Even today, SLH is an example of "best practice" for neighborhood design.
All this is subject to radical change when Franklin & Marshall College moves ahead with plans to develop their current athletic fields into alumni/alumnae housing and other uses. (F & M is creating athletic fields closer to its campus.) Part of those plans is the extension of Wilson Drive and another street to link SLH with the Harrisburg Pike.
At F & M's prompting, the middle lane of the Harrisburg Pike is currently being replaced with medial islands, partly to slow down and discourage traffic volume. In addition, connections through SLH of the now heavily traveled Harrisburg Pike with the Marietta Pike will divert traffic from the F & M campus.
Now is the time for SLH residents to work with their neighbors and to tell PennDOT, Lancaster and Hempfield Townships, the Lancaster County Planning Board, and F & M College that they don't want School Lane Hills to be turned into a typical urban grid. If they wait until you read about it in the monopoly newspapers, it likely will be too late.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Progress Continues at the Convention Center Site... 35 days behind schedule
Recent developments include the complete installation of a gas line, pouring of concrete for the parking garage, pouring of concrete for the floor of the ballroom, and installation of an escalator.
Nevertheless, construction remains 35 days behind schedule, according to Dave Engel of Reynolds Construction.
Construction billings for the month of December alone totaled $28 million, according to Engel's figures.
This information was reported at Thursday night's Facilities Programming Committee meeting of the Lancaster County Convention Center Authority.
Nevertheless, construction remains 35 days behind schedule, according to Dave Engel of Reynolds Construction.
Construction billings for the month of December alone totaled $28 million, according to Engel's figures.
This information was reported at Thursday night's Facilities Programming Committee meeting of the Lancaster County Convention Center Authority.
Newspapers in Decline, Journalism Prof Tells Rotarians
Attendees of Wednesday's weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Lancaster were treated to a delightful presentation by homegrown Penn State journalism professor Russ Eshelman regarding the impact of the internet on journalism - and particularly on political reporting.
Eshelman cited statistics from the Pew Research Center, indicating that 7 out of 10 adult Americans are now surfing the internet.
He also pointed to statistics indicating that the percentage of politically aware Americans using the internet as their "primary source of information about politics" more than doubled from 7% in 2002 to 15% in 2006.
"The internet is immediate, unfettered, and unpredictable" Eshelman remarked.
He cited The Drudge Report as an example of a blog that has had a tremendous impact. Internet blogger and recently-retired radio host Matt Drudge gained national notoriety in 1998 for breaking the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal to the public on his website.
YouTube has also become a tremendous influence, Eshelman argued. Witness former Virginia Senator George Allen's infamous uttering of the word "macaca" in his ultimately unsuccessful 2006 Senatorial re-election bid.
The chief advantage, of course is that "the internet has just exploded in terms of the information out there."
But Eshelman's speech focused more on the concerns for politics, journalism, and society as a whole, as we move further into the digital age.
"My concern is that not enough people are making a distinction between what is really legitimate, unbiased, and fair, news coverage of political candidates, on the web and in the newspapers, versus some of the partisan shots that are going on," he said. "Just like we used to worry about how television was blurring the line between news and entertainment, blogging is blurring the line between news and opinion."
"More and more newspapers are encouraging their reporters to do blogs. I don't think that's such a good thing," he said, arguing again that it "blurs the line between opinion and news."
Continued Eshelman, "Media outlets are under tremendous pressure to be the first to break a story and we see that with the election coverage."
He is concerned that the pressure to publish as quickly as possible negatively impacts the quality of the stories produced.
But that's where Eshelman thinks newspapers can find a niche in their otherwise seemingly dismal future.
"In order to survive, newspapers are going to have to go with their strength, which is details," he proposed.
"The newspapers that are facing the biggest problems are the major metro dailies, which, I think, will have to become more like the Sunday News."
Russ Eshelman is a graduate of McCaskey High School in Lancaster and has written for the Lancaster New Era, as well as the Philadelphia Inquirer, where he spent 15 years. He continues to write a monthly column on Pennsylvania politics that appears in both the Lancaster Sunday News and the Centre Daily Times.
His speech was warmly received by the approximately one hundred Rotarians in attendance at Wednesday's meeting.
Eshelman cited statistics from the Pew Research Center, indicating that 7 out of 10 adult Americans are now surfing the internet.
He also pointed to statistics indicating that the percentage of politically aware Americans using the internet as their "primary source of information about politics" more than doubled from 7% in 2002 to 15% in 2006.
"The internet is immediate, unfettered, and unpredictable" Eshelman remarked.
He cited The Drudge Report as an example of a blog that has had a tremendous impact. Internet blogger and recently-retired radio host Matt Drudge gained national notoriety in 1998 for breaking the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal to the public on his website.
YouTube has also become a tremendous influence, Eshelman argued. Witness former Virginia Senator George Allen's infamous uttering of the word "macaca" in his ultimately unsuccessful 2006 Senatorial re-election bid.
The chief advantage, of course is that "the internet has just exploded in terms of the information out there."
But Eshelman's speech focused more on the concerns for politics, journalism, and society as a whole, as we move further into the digital age.
"My concern is that not enough people are making a distinction between what is really legitimate, unbiased, and fair, news coverage of political candidates, on the web and in the newspapers, versus some of the partisan shots that are going on," he said. "Just like we used to worry about how television was blurring the line between news and entertainment, blogging is blurring the line between news and opinion."
"More and more newspapers are encouraging their reporters to do blogs. I don't think that's such a good thing," he said, arguing again that it "blurs the line between opinion and news."
Continued Eshelman, "Media outlets are under tremendous pressure to be the first to break a story and we see that with the election coverage."
He is concerned that the pressure to publish as quickly as possible negatively impacts the quality of the stories produced.
But that's where Eshelman thinks newspapers can find a niche in their otherwise seemingly dismal future.
"In order to survive, newspapers are going to have to go with their strength, which is details," he proposed.
"The newspapers that are facing the biggest problems are the major metro dailies, which, I think, will have to become more like the Sunday News."
Russ Eshelman is a graduate of McCaskey High School in Lancaster and has written for the Lancaster New Era, as well as the Philadelphia Inquirer, where he spent 15 years. He continues to write a monthly column on Pennsylvania politics that appears in both the Lancaster Sunday News and the Centre Daily Times.
His speech was warmly received by the approximately one hundred Rotarians in attendance at Wednesday's meeting.
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