Convention Centers offering financial incentives

According to a Dec. 8 article in the McClatchy-Tribune Regional News, "Convention centers always wheel and deal to win trade shows and conventions, but the negotiations tend to be held behind closed doors.
Now, with the economy in a tailspin, a number of cities are rolling out sweetened financial incentives and broadcasting their availability."

It goes on to quote Professor of Public Administration Heywood Sanders: "This is what it has come to... The rapid-fire expansion of convention center space nationwide made discounting quite common, and that's just been exacerbated by the current economic circumstance."

It was only a few years ago that Sander's addressed a group in Lancaster and argued against the proposed Convention Center project. His concerns were substantiated in the PKF Consultants feasibility study of the project.

A NewsLanc contributor comments, "What is even more troubling is that this is not new news. A Forbes article from 3 years ago says that the fire sale has been going on for years and will no doubt continue.

The contributor continues, "I have been asking for the last 6 years where in the budget of the LCCCA, or the PDCVB (the LCCCA's alternative treasury), where the slush fund monies are? Where are the funds going to come from to give the incentives that we will need to pay to compete for center business?"

Newspapers in financial trouble

Publisher and broadcaster Tribune Company, owner of the Chicago Tribune and the LA Times, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

NewsMax and CNBC News have reported that The New York Times is seeking to mortgage their office building in New York in order to cover a $400 million debt payment coming due in a few months.

These are signs of the extraordinary loss of revenue plaguing historic media as a result of the public seeking its news from the Internet, the resulting diversion of advertisement, and the impact of the year long recession.

Hopefully the executives at Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. will take heed and allow its editors to conduct news coverage in an exemplary fashion in order to earn the public's patronage and support. Self serving and unethical practices of the past have resulted in much bad will and eroded credibility among potential subscribers and advertisers alike.

They also should be considering whether bold restructuring steps are needed to prevent similar financial problems in their future, especially in light of the fall in world wide commodity prices that may impair the profitability of their holding company's other investments. Although the ownership structure may currently provide top executives with a virtual free hand, they will not indefinitely be spared the harsh discipline of the marketplace.

Concern over city's plan to eliminate plumbling inspector

At an otherwise fairly uneventful city council meeting on Tuesday night, a handful of local plumbers rose to express their concerns about the city's plan to eliminate the position of plumbing inspector as per the proposed 2009 budget.

Without a dedicated full-time city employee, contractors will tend to care only about the bottom line, said Mike Mull from Holtwood.

Mull and others expressed concern that safety and quality standards will suffer as a result.

In response, Randy Patterson, the city's Director of Economic Development & Neighborhood Revitalization said that the decision to eliminate the plumbing inspector was not an easy one and was forced by budgetary considerations, but that the permitting process is not changing and that there will be a dedicated contractor who is fully accountable to the city.

Patterson also pointed out that the city currently has only one plumbing inspector and that he is stretched thin, whereas a contractor will have many personnel.

Patterson estimated that the elimination of the plimber position along with an electrician position and the change to using contractors instead will save the city as much as $140,000 per year in salary and benefit payments.

In his remarks to city council on Tuesday, Mayor Gray announced that the city has received two state grants totaling $225,000 towards the cost of improvements at Brandon and Sixth Ward parks, and that the city will now have a "Public Art Manager," made possible by funding from the Lancaster Community Foundation.

In other business on Tuesday, city council officially had its first reading on increasing city property taxes from 9.18 to 9.64 mills for 2009. That increase, along with the proposed 2009 budget will be on the table for a vote at city council's next meeting on December 16.

County directs state grant to Manor Twp. rail trail project

At their weekly worksession on Tuesday, the county commissioners agreed to transfer sponsorship of a $1M state grant to Manor Township "to convert five miles of abandoned trail bed along the Susquehanna river into a recreational trail for joggers, bicyclists, and horseback riders."

The five miles of railway to be converted run from roughly Turkey Hill Dairy to Safe Harbor in Conestoga Township, explained Matt Kofroth of the Lancaster County Conservation District.

The 408-acre corridor is part of Norfolk Southern's Enola Low-Grade line, but is not to be confused with the other 23-miles of rail line running east-west through the southern part of the county, about which there had been much controversy a few years ago.

The $1M had been secured by the county in 2006 as part of a $1.75 million grant under Pennsylvania's Growing Greener County Environmental Initiative.

Manor Township is having the property appraised and design work will likely begin next year.

Among the items on the commissioners' agenda for Wednesday is the expenditure of $377,806 in county funds to help purchase agricultural conservation easements in order to preserve 242 acres of farmland in Fulton, Ephrata, and Drumore Townships.

What's happening around Lancaster this week

Monday night (Dec. 8) at 8:00 p.m., a lecture titled "Learning from Katrina" will take place at in the Bonchek Lecture Hall of the Barshinger Life Sciences Building on F&M's campus. "Jed Horne, Pulitzer Prize winning author Topic: Learning from Katrina - Disaster as a Laboratory for the Urban Future Horne, formerly editor of the New Orleans Times-Picayune is the author of Breach of Faith which addresses the human dimensions of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath." Admission is free. For a map of F&M's campus, click here.

December 10 - 12 is Countdown to Christmas at the Hands-on House Children's Museum in Lancaster. "Learn how to track Santa's trip around the world and make a reindeer hitching post. Ages 3-6 years. Morning and afternoon sessions." Admission is $14 for non-members of the museum and $12 for members. The Hands-on House Children's Museum is located at 721 Landis Valley Road.

"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, adapted by Gary Smith, is showing all month at the Stahr Performing Arts Center, 438 N. Queen St. "A Christmas Carol is an exciting theatrical experience and celebration of the human spirit for the whole family. Performances: Dec. 10-11; 12, 19, and 26; 13, 20 and 27; 14, 21 and 28. To reserve tickets and for times call the box office, e-mail us at theseventhsister@mac.com, or online." Tickets start at $10.

On Thursday, Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m., the Lancaster Young Professionals will be holding their annual Holiday Event. "Happy Holidays from Lancaster Young Professionals! We invite you to join us at the beautiful Conestoga House and Gardens for our annual holiday event. Enjoy drinks and hors devours provided by LYP. Also, holiday music will be provided by the talented Joey D." Conestoga House and Gardens is located at 1608 Marietta Ave.

There will be ice skating at Clipper Park Stadium on Thursday through Sunday (Dec. 11 - 14). 6-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday. 12 - 10 p.m. Saturday. 12 - 6 p.m. Sunday. Rental skates are available. Visit www.lancasterbarnstormers.com for advance tickets and more information.

Friday, Dec. 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. is A Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas at the Landis Valley Museum. "This celebration is our gift to the community! Tour decorated buildings to see holiday customs of the past. Sing carols by the warmth of a bonfire and enjoy cookies and mulled cider in the Yellow Bar. Donations for the Lancaster Food Bank are requested and will be accepted at the Museum's Visitor Center." There is no charge for admission. The Landis Valley Museum is located at 2451 Kissel Hill Road.

Holiday festivities continue this weekend in downtown Lancaster. "Come to Downtown Lancaster for the holidays! Experience the city with a variety of events, activities and shopping, including visits with Santa, horse drawn carriage rides, holiday movies and storytelling, plus stop at 200+ specialty shops, galleries, museums and restaurants. Fri. 5-9 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sun. noon-4 p.m." For a full schedule of events and other information, visit http://www.lancastercityevents.com/holidays.html.

This weekend is also Dutch Winter Wonderland at Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park on Route 30. "The whole family will get into the spirit of the holidays with themed rides, games, thousands of twinkling lights, entertainment, and family activities such as decorating cookies and sharing holiday wish lists with Santa. Fri. 5-9 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. 4-9 p.m." Admission to the park is $9.95 per person. Dutch Wonderland is located at 2249 Lincoln Highway East.

Also this weekend, you can take a Holiday Candlelight Tour at President James Buchanan's Wheatland. "Join costumed docents for a holiday tour of President James Buchanan's Wheatland. Enjoy holiday decorations and learn about Christmas during the Victorian era in in this beautifully restored 1828, Federal style mansion." 1120 Marietta Ave. Visit http://www.wheatland.org for more information.

Friday, Dec. 12 is Lovin' Lititz Every Second! from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Like First Fridays in downtown Lancaster, "Join downtown merchants in a lively evening of shopping, live music performances, art exhibits, poetry readings, jewelry shows, special Lovin’ Lititz Every 2nd dinner menus & tastings, and much more!" Visit http://www.lititzpa.com for more information.

From 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Dec. 12 is Reindeer Round-up at the Hands-on House Children's Museum of Lancaster. "Meet Rudolph and his relatives who call the top of the world home. No elf experience is necessary to become part of the team that takes care of Santa's (pretend) reindeer. Drop-in anytime. Ages 2-10 with an adult." Free with regular $7 museum admission. The Hands-on House Children's Museum is located at 721 Landis Valley Rd.

For more local events, check the community calendars at http://www.downtownlancaster.com/events.htm and http://www.padutchcountry.com/events_calendar.

Dan Cohen reviews "Nixon / Frost"

NewsLanc's Santa Monica Reporter, movie producer / director / writer Dan Cohen, reviews "Nixon / Frost" at http://newslanc.com/entertainment.html . Cohen's commentaries are world class.

Authority to nominate 2009 officers

The following appeared as a "Legal Notice" in the Intelligencer Journal on Dec. 8.

"Notice is hereby given that the Nominating Committee of the Lancaster County Convention Center Authority will convene a Special Nominating Committee Meeting on Thursday, December 11, 2008, at 4:30 p.m. for the purpose of recommending and nominating officers to the full Board for the year 2009. The meeting will be held in City Council Chambers, Southern Market, corner of South Queen and Vine Streets, City of Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania."

Last year, the meeting was a travesty due to member and former Authority chair Ted Darcus' incorrectly insisting that the nominating committee chair was not permitted to nominate or second the nomination of candidates. Nothing in the Authority's By Laws or "Robert's Rules of Order" supported his contention, but the result was only Art Morris was the sole nominee for chair. The candidates for the other officers also were unopposed.

Whether Darcus did it on his own out of ignorance or was the 'cats paw' of powerful interests that wanted Morris at the helm (despite his being part of the minority City representatives) is a matter for speculation.

Nevertheless, it is likely that Morris would have been elected by the full board even if opposed. NewsLanc has often praised his leadership.

NewsLanc bumper stickers now available

If you would like to place a NewsLanc bumper sticker on your vehicle, please send a request to info@NewsLanc.com . Kindly include your name and address including zip code.

NewsLanc is not for profit. Its ability to serve the community depends on the input and assistance of its audience.

Intell / New Era conceal TRRAAC's objections

The combined Dec. 6 edition headlines "$10M for rail yard move; New site's opponents slam Rendell's grant"

It would appear that either reporter Dave Pidgeon or the editor purposefully deleted reference to the principle TRRAAC objection: There has yet to occur a study by the authorities of alternate locations that may better serve the public's interest.

According to Bill Cluck, attorney for TRRAAC, Dave Pidgeon called him yesterday evening and Cluck "emphasized the need for independent study."

Instead, the article solely set forth Cluck's responses to questions from the reporter, the less persuasive NIMBY objections (Not in my back yard) with reference to the impact of the railyard on neighborhood property values and health.

NewsLanc is very disappointed to see the Lancaster Newspaper's reverting to the cronyism of recent years, whereby they spin the news to favor Franklin & Marshall, Fulton Bank, General Hospital, and Dale High. It seems that when the chips are down, they revert to form.

$10 million NOT for rail yard relocation?

According to a NewsLanc source deemed reliable, the $10 million is from the Capital Budget item inserted last July by Senator Gibson Armstrong. It apparently is for the extension of certain streets to open up the Northwest and reconnect it to the city. It is all part of the larger Northwest Gateway Project.

The source states this money will not be spent on the landfill or moving the rail yard. According to the source's information , PennDOT still has not decided whether to fund the $9 million for rail yard relocation this year.

LETTER: TRRAAC response to $10 million State check

"This announcement [of Governor Rendell delivering a $10 million check for rail road yard relocation] is a slap in the face to the taxpayers of the Commonwealth. Despite local opposition to the relocation of the rail yard into residential neighborhoods, and with virtually no public notice or opportunity to participate in the process, the Governor unilaterally has committed millions of dollars to support the rail yard relocation to enable Franklin and Marshall to move its athletic fields.

"Meanwhile, bridges are in disrepair, our highways need critical maintenance, state workers are foregoing raises, state colleges are facing significant mid year cutbacks and an across the board cut in the state budget looms, as well as likely massive tax and fee increases next year. Despite all this, the Govenor is providing $10 million for this ill-conceived boondoggle.

"All we at TRRAAC have requested from the start is an INDEPENDENT analysis of potential alternative locations for the relocation of the Dillerville rail yard. Instead, the funding process has been shrouded in secrecy and mystery. Repeated requests from TRRAAC were denied for the release of public documentation of the application and criteria for prioritizing the funding of this project over other more critical transportation needs.

"We are dismayed at the complete absence of transparency and the failure to provide the affected community with the opportunity to participate in decisions that impact our property values and quality of life."

McDonald calls for county investigation of Library System's role

Following negotiations with representatives of the Library System of Lancaster County on Thursday, the county commissioners indicated to NewsLanc that they are not likely to give the system its requested $150,000 increase.

The $2.15 million in the proposed 2009 budget reflects a 6.5% decrease from the $2.3 million the library system received from the county in 2008.

Jill Brewster, chair of the library system's financial board, said that the library system had crafted their budget before events in the national economy took a hard toll on their finances and that county departments have only been asked to take cuts of 3% each.

She said the library system would have liked more communication from the commissioners before they crafted their budget including the cut.

Bud Rettew, president of the library system board, said he is "very much fearful" that not only will library programs suffer, but that the commissioners would be setting a poor precedent for municipalities.

Commissioner Scott Martin rejoined that the county is dealing with cuts and flat funding from the state just like the library board is and that every single county department has faced cuts in the current environment.

"So it's a really tough sale," he said.

"I love libraries...but I also love children with mental retardation... and kids that are abused," he added, referring to the services other county departments provide.

Democratic Commissioner Craig Lehman said he thinks the budget is fair, although he would have been amenable to a cut of only 3% for the library system.

Commissioner Chairman Dennis Stuckey said that the recently-announced state spending freeze is another factor that will make it "very difficult to restore funding to previous levels."

He added that the board "ha[s] been very fair in our judgments in the money that we had to withhold or cut allocations to outside agencies" and also successfully avoided cutting jobs.

Others have questioned whether the library system is efficiently using the county funding it receives. Of the more than $2 million the system receives, only $150,000 of that will be distributed to the individual libraries for operational costs this year, according to their own admission.

Where does the rest of the money go?

That's a good question, says Steve McDonald, who is the Recorder of Deeds for the county but spoke to the commissioners in his capacity as a taxpayer.

"All the money the county is giving is going to fund a - for lack of better words - a bureaucracy," he said in apparent reference to the Library System, rather than to the 16 independent libraries.

McDonald added that there is little oversight over the process except by part-time volunteer boards for both the System and the 16 libraries who operate largely at the direction of paid support staff.

He noted that the system pays around $140,000 a year to rent spacious offices near Greenfield Road on a 10-year lease which expires in 2012 and said that their financial audits and statements reveal that not all state funding gets distributed to the libraries.

He went on to indicate that raises for directors of the individual libraries have been as high as 7%.

McDonald concluded by arguing that the commissioners should investigate how county money is being spent, that funding should be made "contingent on the services they actually provide," and that it might be helpful for the library system to become a county department.

Commissioners Stuckey and Martin agreed that the County Controller's office has the right to examine the finances of any entity receiving county funding, but, when questioned, refused to immediately agree that such an investigation is warranted in this situation.

Instead, each of the commissioners spoke in generalities about the necessity of watching where county money goes.

Lehman said he could not make a decision so quickly as to whether the points McDonald and others have raised are valid.

Stuckey added that the county has other priorities to deal with first.

NewsLanc will conduct further research and we will continue to raise this issue at public meetings.

LETTER: Library System head earns more than mayor

I pulled the "Library System of Lancaster County" tax returns for the years '05, 06 and '07.

I compared the salary of Susan Hauer and discovered that her salary increased 12.7% from '05 to '07.

Is this what the Library System considers to be 'frugal'? At a 2007 salary of $87,797 she is making more than our state senators, all county row officers and all the county commissioners. Hauer makes $10,000 more than Mayor of Lancaster! Rick Gray has 417 (down from 439 I might add!) employees She has 23 employees and a relatively small responsibility and yet she thinks she deserves more?!

The bottom-line is that the Library System is out of control and is giving the poor libraries a black-eye with big-auto-maker-CEO style of begging for money.

A vital message from Lancaster General Hospital

Most deaths from drug overdoses are readily preventable if an ambulance is immediately summoned or the person rushed to a hospital emergency room.

However this often doesn't happen, because young people (and also adults) witnessing the event are afraid to become involved lest they expose themselves to criticism and possible prosecution.

Hospitals in cooperation with law enforcement authorities in many parts of the country have adopted what is called a "Good Samaritan" policy, whereby the identities of those calling an ambulance or dropping off a patient remain anonymous.

In response to its inquiry, NewsLanc received the following assurance from a spokesperson for Lancaster General Hospital:

"We have verified through our Emergency Medicine management that Lancaster General does not ask anyone who brings an overdose patient to the Emergency Department to identify themselves, as we want to encourage people to continue to bring people in for treatment who may be at risk of harm."

An overdose can be reversed in less than a minute with emergency care. Without the care, the person is likely to die. Moreover, the tragedy won't just be limited to the deceased and his or her loved ones. Everyone present will feel the guilt for the rest of their lives.

Anyone can find themselves involved in such a situation. Please share this message with your loved ones and others.