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News Headline Archive
February 2006
♦ January 2006
December 2005
♦ November 2005
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October 2005
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September 2005 ♦
August 2005 ♦
July 2005 ♦ June 2005
♦ May 2005 ♦
April 2005 ♦
March 2005
February 2006
What legal fees are likely in convention center challenge?
As city tax pact with Penn
Square Partners faces court scrutiny, Commissioner Shaub says
taxpayers need to know what litigation will cost them.
By Daniel Burke
Lancaster New Era
Published: February 28, 2006
City center: Whose voice do you trust?
Limited wisdom Future unknowable
By Jeff Hawkes,
Intelligencer
Journal Staff
Published February 28, 2006
Center challenge begins in court
County seeks ruling on city tax pact
with Penn Square Partners
BY DAVE PIDGEON, Intelligencer Journal Staff
Published February 28, 2006
A real study in contrasts
DOWNTOWN CONVENTION CENTER/HOTEL PROJECT Opposing sides
express their ire in letters; threats are veiled
By Judy A. Strausbaugh, Business
Editor
Published February 26, 2006
Oops! A typo
Lancaster County Commissioner Molly Henderson said her office
feels pressured to get a new feasibility study on the convention
center/hotel project completed as soon as possible. The tense
environment may have led to a mistake in the contract between the
commissioners and PKF Consulting.
Sunday News, By
Judy A. Strausbaugh, Business Editor
Published February 26, 2006
Letters to the Editor and
More Letters
Why New Study is Needed
Jack Craver, Lancaster County
Convention Center Authorty
Why We Won’t Participate in PKF
Study
Nevin D. Cooley, President, Penn Square General Corp.
Published Apology Sought
Robert Edwin Field (Partial funder of PKF study and project
opponent)
Authority Chairman Replies
C. Ted Darcus, Chairman, Lancaster
County Convention Center Authority
Shaub: Neutral study chief rejected
Two county
commissioners rejected having a neutral person in charge of the
feasibility study of the proposed hotel/convention center project,
Lancaster County Commissioner Pete Shaub says.
New Era
Published February 25, 2006
A wasted feasibility study
To the editor,
New Era
Nevin D. Cooley President Penn Square General Corporation
Lancaster
Published February 25, 2006
Shaub: County rejected neutral study
Says Shellenberger, Henderson opposed Patterson leading analysis of
center
BY P.J. REILLY, Intelligencer Journal Staff
Published February 25, 2006
Laundry business moving after 116 years in downtown Lancaster
The Lancaster Laundry is moving to Manheim Pike to make way for a
planned parking garage in the 100 block of East King Street.
By BERNARD HARRIS, New Era Staff
Writer
Published February 24, 2006
Cooperation? Forget it
Claiming researchers
are biased, mayor and other officials say they won't help with
county's new study of Penn Square project.
By BERNARD
HARRIS, New Era Staff Writer
Published February 23, 2006
Convention market is gaining steam
Planners of Lancaster facility
encouraged by increases in convention business in cities across U.S.
Critic disputes study.
By Bernard Harris
Lancaster New Era
Published: February 22, 2006
Thibault says firm 'tainted.'
Ex-commissioner
rips new study on Penn Square project.
By Daniel Burke
Lancaster New Era
Published: February 22, 2006
Convention center case to be heard in Pa. court
The Lancaster County
Commissioners' special counsel will appear before a Commonwealth
Court panel on Monday to contest the legality of a state funding
stream for a hotel and convention center proposed for downtown
Lancaster.
Lancaster New
Era
Published February 21, 2006
Readers: Today's the day you have your say
Logic questioned Lancaster fan
By Jeff Hawkes - Intelligencer Journal Staff
Intelligencer Journal
Published: February 21, 2006
Penn Square project is headed to court
By Dave Pidgeon, Intelligencer Journal Staff
Intelligencer Journal
Published: February 21, 2006
More rooms taken in 2005
Hotel occupancy rate up
4.8 percent. Rates also rose, bringing in more room tax.
By Judy A.
Strausbaugh
Sunday News
Published February 19, 2006
Short-sighted Shellenberger
Letter to the Editor, New Era
Donna Grady Lancaster
Published February 17, 2006
Convention center flap revisited
Jeff Hawkes' column,
"Convention center supporter emerges from shadows" (Intell, Feb. 7)
centered on Kirk Liddell.
To the editor,
Intelligencer Journal
John Ranck, West Lampeter
Published February 16, 2006
County OKs new study of city center
Lancaster County
commissioners voted Wednesday to hire a Philadelphia firm to study
the feasibility of the convention center and hotel proposed for
downtown Lancaster.
BY P.J. REILLY,
Intelligencer Journal Staff
Published February 16, 2006
County hires firm for study
$115,000 review of hotel, convention center ordered.
By Daniel Burke
Lancaster New Era
Published: February 15, 2006
Center a bad idea; why waste more money?
Reading about the latest idiotic idea for a new feasibility study of
the proposed convention center and hotel in Penn Square caused me to
chuckle, after I dried my tears.
To the Editor, Intelligencer Journal
Charles F. Eshleman, Lancaster
Published February 14, 2006
Board and frustrated Authority meetings give public no fast answers
Will David Hixson explain to taxpayers why everything is secret
in regard to what the Lancaster County Convention Center Authority
is spending money on?
Sunday News
Published February 12, 2006
Letter to the Editor, Sunday News
E.F. Eggert, Lancaster
Published February 12, 2006
Watt & Shand building is sold
The Watt & Shand building has new owners, but don’t look for any
immediate change.
By Bernard
Harris
Lancaster New Era
Published: February 09, 2006
County asks for bids on city center study
Lancaster County commissioners expect to know by the end of March
whether the proposed convention center/hotel project is on sound
financial footing.
BY P.J. REILLY,
Intelligencer Journal Staff
Published February 9, 2006
County seeks study of center finances
After eight years of community planning and
one month before construction bids are due, two county commissioners
say it's time to study the financial blueprints of a proposed hotel
and convention center in downtown Lancaster.
By DANIEL BURKE, New Era Staff
Writer
Published February 8, 2006
County seeks 2-phase convention center study
Lancaster County commissioners hope to solicit proposals today from
several consultants vying to conduct a feasibility study of the
proposed convention center/hotel project.
Intelligencer
Journal
P.J. Reilly
Published February 8, 2006
Convention center still needs permit
Developers of a hotel and
convention center in downtown Lancaster have yet to receive a
necessary permit from the state’s transportation department.
By Daniel Burke
Lancaster New Era
Published February 07, 2006
Convention center supporter emerges from shadows
Breaks silence Risk
warranted. It's fashionable these days to consider Lancaster's
proposed convention center the stupidest idea since New Coke.
Intelligencer
Journal
Jeff Hawkes
Published February 7, 2006
Convention center and other queries
To the editor, Intelligencer Journal
A.K. Hartsough, Lancaster
Published February 2, 2006
Maintain city's architectural charm
Amid most of the
current downtown development proposals, it appears the matter of
architectural compatibility of new construction -- so crucial to
maintaining the character, ambiance and unique appeal of historic
downtown Lancaster -- has again been largely dismissed. A Lancaster
Square rerun?
To the
Editor, Intelligencer Journal
Owen Kugel, Lancaster
Published February 1, 2006
January 2006
Hoteliers threaten new suit on center
Authority board moves
ahead, despite possibility of legal action on hotel tax
BY DAVE PIDGEON,
Intelligencer Journal Staff
Published January 31, 2006
Darcus will remain as chairman
The Lancaster County Convention Center Authority board is expected
to reorganize Monday when it holds its first meeting of 2006.
Sunday News
By Judy A. Strausbaugh, Business Editor
Published January 29, 2006
IN MY OPINION
How are downtowns
revitalized? What's your opinion?
By Tom Despard,
Special to the Sunday News
Published January 29, 2006
At Watt & Shand building, mayor and project officials say that it's
time to: Brace facade; schedule razing
Vote on contracts
Monday; commissioners sought delay
By Judy A.
Strausbaugh, Business Editor
Published January 29, 2006
Consultant won’t do new study of center
Firm did 2 previous studies of
Penn Square project
By Daniel Burke
Lancaster New Era
Published: January 28, 2006
What benefits?
In reference to the
proposed hotel and convention center project, Lancaster Mayor Rick
Gray is quoted as saying "a team of economic advisers determined the
project deserves his support because of its expected economic
benefits."
Letter to the
Editor Intelligencer Journal
Randolph D. Carney, Lancaster
Published January 26, 2006
Convention center feasibility study could cost up to $160K
Consultant has not said it would do the work
Lancaster County commissioners have yet to decide
whether to hire PricewaterhouseCoopers to reassess the feasibility
of the proposed $137.8 million hotel and convention center in
downtown Lancaster.
PATRICK BURNS
Intelligencer Journal Staff
published January 25, 2006
Author offers recipe for revitalizing Lancaster
Says there's hope, but it will
take hard work
By Susan E. Lindt, Intelligencer Journal Staff
Intelligencer Journal
Published: January 24, 2006
City forecast: record growth in '06
After near-record construction
last year, new projects could hit all-time high.
By Bernard Harris
Lancaster New Era
Published: January 23, 2006
Stopping in Molly's 'pub'
Commissioner Molly
Henderson joined colleague Dick Shellenberger in using e-mail to
report her positions on issues. A recent e-mail from her ended:
"Lancaster Newspapers Inc. is an investor in Penn Square Partners in
an undisclosed percentage. This makes it difficult for me to convey
information about the project -- or any county matter -- through the
traditional print media means. That is the reason I have turned to
e-mail.''
Sunday News
Editorial
Marv Adams
Published January 22, 2006
It's time for conventional wisdom
The war of words,
independence of ideas and political positioning continues over the
proposed hotel and convention center. County Commissioners Richard
Shellenberger and Molly Henderson are leading the charge for the
opposition, cloaking their objections in a robe of concern relating
to the amount of risk placed on the taxpayer.
Sunday News Op
Ed
Art Morris, former mayor of Lancaster
Published January 22, 2006
County OKs hotel study
Would assess
feasibility of convention center
BY P.J. REILLY,
Intelligencer Journal Staff
Published January 19, 2006
New study of center is closer
County moves to review two embattled projects.
By Daniel Burke
Lancaster New Era
Published: January 18, 2006
He didn't ask us, but .... We have free advice for Mayor Gray
Not that Rick Gray is soliciting our advice as he settles into
his digs at City Hall, but the new mayor is going to get some
anyway.
Sunday News
editorial
Published January 15, 2006
Naysayers and Letterman
From the Sunday News Editor
Marv Adams
Published January 15, 2006
Vote on project
Letter to the Editor Sunday News
Mark Williams, Akron
Published January 15, 2006
Mayor: Conditions on study delaying tactic
There's sharp division
between Gray and commissioners Shellenberger and Henderson on
details of a new convention center study.
By DANIEL BURKE,
New Era Staff Writer
Published January 14, 2006
Mayor answers demands for study
Shellenberger's letter
touches off criticism
BY PATRICK
BURNS, Intelligencer Journal Staff
Published January 14, 2006
Shellenberger backs new center study
Agrees to pay for
portion of feasibility study for planned downtown convention center
and hotel.
By DANIEL BURKE,
New Era Staff Writer
Published January 13, 2006
Gray outlines vision for city government
In its 14 previous
annual membership breakfasts, the Economic Development Company of
Lancaster County has offered the podium to CEOs, legislators and
gubernatorial staffers.
By DANIEL BURKE,
New Era Staff Writer
Shellenberger backs new center study
Gray gives nod to city center
Project is right for city, county,
mayor says
BY DAVE PIDGEON, Intelligencer Journal Staff
Published January 13, 2006
$50,000 offered for study of center
Businessman Robert
Field, who has criticized the project, offered the money Wednesday
for a new feasibility study.
New Era
Published January 12, 2006
Field offers $50,000 for center study
Gray supports proposal, with limitations
BY DAVE PIDGEON,
and MADELYN PENNINO, Intelligencer Journal Staff
Published January 12, 2006
Bids for center work come in low at disputed meeting
Bids to demolish and stabilize the site of a proposed
hotel/convention center in downtown Lancaster apparently came in
under budget, according to project developers.
BY DAVE
PIDGEON, Intelligencer Journal Staff
Published January 12, 2006
Gray to county: Pay for study
New mayor wants commissioners to drop objections to project.
New Lancaster City Mayor Rick Gray played a game of high-stakes
poker this morning at the Lancaster County Commissioners’ weekly
meeting.
By Bernard
Harris And Daniel Burke
Lancaster New Era
Published: Jan 11, 2006 1:23 PM EST
Fill Watt & Shand windows
It's a shame not to make
use of the Watt & Shand building's once beautiful show windows.
Letter to the
editor, Intelligencer Journal
John Ranck, Lancaster
Published January 9, 2006
Trust to get historic sites
Moving on Two new plans
Will develop Stevens, Smith and Swan structures, even if convention
center not built.
Sunday News
By Judy A. Strausbaugh, Business
Editor
Published January 8, 2006
Rick Gray comes out swinging
Not yet 24 hours in office, Lancaster Mayor Rick Gray softened one
of his toughest constituents and was booed by others.
Sunday News
By Patricia Poist, Political Writer
Published January 8, 2006
Letters to the Editor
Robert E. Field
Chris Anderson, Senior Researcher, Opinion Dynamics
Victor Capeccce
Sunday News
Published January 1, 2006
Slots, yes; convention center, no
Editor, New Era
Douglas Knepp East Hempfield Township
Published January 7, 2006
Yellow cabs to make return
Due
to roll Tuesday. Yellow Cab and Friendly Taxi vehicles will sport
advertisements backing the proposed $137.8 million hotel/convention
center and $150 million slot machine parlor planned for Lancaster
city. Downtown development means more taxicab business.
BY DAVE PIDGEON,
Intelligencer Journal Staff
Published January 6, 2006
Of deaf ears, dumb strategy and blind faith
Heat, not light Forum
spurned. Maybe if we ignore our critics, backers of the
embattled convention center seem to think, they'll just go away.
Intelligencer Journal, By Jeff Hawkes
Published January 6, 2006
Center foes get no satisfaction from new mayor
But most at special meeting speak out against downtown
project.
By BERNARD HARRIS, New Era Staff Writer
Published January 5, 2006
Convention authority forum full of complaints
BY DAVE PIDGEON, Intelligencer Journal Staff
Published January 5, 2006
County sets sights on city center, slots
Henderson wants a new
study
BY P.J. REILLY
and PAULA HOLZMAN, Intelligencer Journal Staff
Published January 5, 2006
Commissioners asked to consider proposals
Lancaster County
Commissioner Molly Henderson asked fellow board members to consider
four proposals regarding the hotel and convention center project in
Lancaster City at the board's meeting this morning.
By DANIEL BURKE,
New Era Staff Writer
Published January 4, 2006
Reopen city budget, reject tax increase
As Lancaster's new
mayor, Rick Gray has many projects before him -- strengthening the
city economy, breaking the deadlock on the stalled downtown
convention center, finalizing plans for the Lancaster Press tower
projects, reducing petty crime
New Era
Published January 4, 2006
3 convention center board members stir controversy
3 holding "clear-the-air"
meeting not sanctioned by majority.
By Chad Umble
Lancaster New Era
Published: January 4, 2006
2005: Gone but, unfortunately, not forgotten
First of three parts
Intelligencer Journal, Larry
Alexander
Published January 4, 2006
An inclusive approach
In our view. Lancaster
city Mayor-elect Rick Gray, who will take office this evening, has a
way of getting to the heart of things.
Intelligencer Journal
Published January 3, 2006
Gray set to take reins as mayor
Swearing-in ceremony
set for 6:30 tonight
BY PAULA HOLZMAN, Intelligencer
Journal Staff
Published January 3, 2006
Our 2006 wish list
In our view.
The beginning of a new year represents an opportunity to wipe the slate
clean and begin anew. It also affords the editors an opening to make
known our desires for the year ahead. Drumroll, please ...
Intelligencer
Journal
Published January 2, 2006
Letters to the Editor
David Hixson, Executive
Director,
Lancaster County Convention Center Authority
Jack Howell, President, The
Lancaster Alliance
Sunday News
Published January 1, 2006
December 2005
Looking at big issues for 2006
Residents discuss
hopes, expectations for new year. As Lancaster County celebrates the
end of 2005 -- a year marked by controversial building projects,
tragic homicides and political squabbles -- officials and residents
polled by the Intelligencer Journal are predicting what they hope or
expect will be the big stories of 2006.
BY COLBY ITKOWITZ, Intelligencer
Journal Staff
Published December 31, 2005
Top 10 news stories of 2005
Today is the last day of 2005. A new year of news
begins tomorrow.
Intelligencer Journal
Published December 31, 2005
The Smithgall years
Mayor Charlie Smithgall says
his biggest accomplishment in 8 years on the job has been changing
peoples’ attitudes about the city, making it a better place to live
and spurring economic development.
By Bernard Harris
Lancaster New Era
Published: December 30, 2005
Center question: What is a feasibility study?
Guest after guest at the Lancaster County
Commissioners’ meeting Wednesday called for a “feasibility study” of
the proposed hotel and convention center in Lancaster City.Reports
generated by consultants who studied the now-$137.8 million project
were “market studies,” not “feasibility studies,” argued guests such
as Robert Edwin Field, a Lancaster developer.
By Daniel Burke
Lancaster New Era
Published: December 30, 2005
Obstructionists hurt city's progress
Letter to the
editor, Intelligencer Journal
Melissa R. Marschka
Lancaster
Published December 29, 2005
Authority study challenged
Convention center
report 'misrepresented'. Local real estate developer Robert
Edwin Field of Lancaster is accusing hotel developer Penn Square
Partners of "pivotal misrepresentations to government officials"
related to the proposed $137.8 million convention center/hotel
project.
Intelligencer Journal
Published December 29, 2005
Critic attacks center study, process
Developer charges
“misrepresentation” related to project, newspaper bias. New
feasiblity study urged.
By Daniel Burke And Jack Brubaker
Lancaster New Era
Published: December 28, 2005
Big news: Top 10 local stories of '05
For starters, we've selected: Chaos in the Courthouse, The
Pay-jackers, A Ballpark Is Born. 1. Chaos in the Courthouse 2. The
Pay-jackers 3. A Ballpark Is Born 4. The Borden Murders 5. A
Democratic Sweep 6. Gas Pains 7. Slot Machines 8. Convention Center
New Era
Published December 23, 2005
Henderson: Democrat chairman defends her
Molly not to blame.
Democratic chief Bruce
Beardsley: Don't lump Commissioner Henderson in with Republican
majority
Sunday News
Op-Ed by Brue Beardsley
Published Sunday, December 25, 2005
Slots and center, a natural fit
Letter to the Editor,
Intelligencer Journal
Mike Hudick, Rapho Township
Published December 27, 2005
Saving a landmark, improving the city
We're responding to a letter from Victor Capecce (Intell, Dec. 16),
in which he decried the "horrendous scenario" of preserving the
facade of the former Watt & Shand building as "keeping the facade
like a Hollywood set to veneer another building of dubious benefit."
Letter to the
editor, Intelligencer Journal
Nevin D. Cooley,
President, Penn Square General Corp.,
David W. Hixson, Executive Director, Lancaster County Convention
Center Authority
Published December 22, 2005
New voices seek to delay city center
Recent appointees to
board issue 3 demands
BY DAVE PIDGEON,
Intelligencer Journal Staff
Published December 22, 2005
3 critics plan own meetings
Convention center authority
members break from other 4 on board.
By Tom Murse
Lancaster New Era
Published: Dec 21, 2005
Commissioners overspend
Attorneys' fees above
expectations; budget vote set
BY P.J. REILLY,
Intelligencer Journal Staff
Published December 21, 2005
New board members a welcome change
It is a breath of fresh
air to have three new business people on the Lancaster County
Convention Center Authority Board.
To The
Editor, Intelligencer Journal
Fred Daum, Lancaster
Published December 20, 2005
Trying to influence opinion
I question the editorial
policies of the Intell which placed the headline "A courthouse
divided, badly and bitterly" on the front page (Intell, Dec. 6).
To The
Editor, Intelligencer Journal
Charles H. Holzinger, Columbia
Published December 20, 2005
Authority must see the light
It's come to this: The
county commissioners are sending an emissary to the Lancaster County
Convention Center Authority to plead with the board to be more open
to the public.
Editorial
Sunday News
Published December 18, 2005
Letters to the Editor
Sunday News
Published December 18, 2005
CONVENTION CENTER/ HOTEL
PROJECT, COMMISSIONERS
We understand that two members of this commission have
blocked a project that is dear to your heart. But to publicly
pillory elected officials who have voted against you is immoral and
frightening.
Meredith Rousseau, Lancaster
Inept Commissioners
I could not help wondering how much more of their
arrogance and incompetence we will all need to endure before we get
to read, with accompanying relief, the article titled, "Out of
COMMISSIONERS"
James D. Lawrence, Mount Joy
Benefactor Defends Fox 43 “poll”
The recent poll concerning the hotel/convention center proposal was
commissioned by Fox 43 from Opinion Dynamics, a major polling
organization that has performed polls for Fox News nationwide.
Robert E. Field, Lancaster
PriceWaterhouse right to recant 2000, 2002 studies
Letters to the Editor Editor,
New Era
Tom Blackman Pebble Beach, Calif.
Published December 17, 2005
Disturbed by response to outcry
To the editor, Intelligencer Journal
Published December 16, 2005
Victor Capecce, Lancaster
Commissioners lack competence
To the editor,
Intelligencer Journal
Published December 16, 2005
Bernard Schriver, Manheim
Hixson: Criticism over consultant is 'effort to cast doubt on
project'
The Lancaster County Convention Center Authority announced the
postponement of its monthly meeting scheduled for tonight and
rebutted recent criticism about the project during a press
conference
By Chad Umble
Lancaster New Era
Published: December 14, 2005
$150 million
casino planned downtown
By Tom Murse
Lancaster New Era
Published December 14, 2005
Authority urged: Foster dialogue
Commissioners have questions,
concerns.
By P.j. Reilly, Intelligencer Journal Staff
Published: December 14, 2005
Grinch and Watt & Shand
This is in response to the Dec. 8 letter to the editor
from Nevin D. Cooley, president, Penn Square General Corp.
Editor, New Era
Garry Martin Lancaster
Published December 13, 2005
Allow voters to decide
Who in their right mind
wants to attend a convention in Lancaster when there are so many
other more interesting areas to see and visit in the state of
Pennsylvania?
Letter to
the Editor, Intelligencer Journal
Harold
L. Drake, Lancaster
Published December 13, 2005
Sweet dreams
Letter to the
Editor, Intelligencer Journal
Stan Buch, Lancaster
Published December 13, 2005
Out of
Commission
What a difference a
year didn't make. The sale of Conestoga View, seizure of an office
building and discovery of official's phony resume (bringing
subpoenas and grand jury) have commissioners in hotter water.
By Helen Colwell Adams,
Sunday News Staff Writer
Published December 11, 2005
Solicitor resigns
Espenshade's firm
hit for having county, convention center authority as clients
By Helen Colwell Adams, Sunday News Staff Writer
Published December 11, 2005
City project faces another storm
If the convention center-luxury hotel is not built at Penn Square,
project supporters will have two new names to add to their blame
list: Katrina and Rita.
By Judy A.
Strausbaugh, Sunday New Staff Writer
Published December 11, 2005
Proposal seeks rate swaps on $50M
New tool Henderson opposed. The Lancaster County Convention Center Authority plans to ask its
board to approve a $50 million financing maneuver using interest
rate swaps that some believe are risky.
By Judy A. Strausbaugh, Sunday News Staff Writer
Published December 11, 2005
Don't change the subject
The night owls who react to our articles are often foes of the
convention center-hotel project.
Editorial by Marv Adams, Sunday
News
Published December 11, 2005
Letters to the Editor
Andy Saylor, Elizabethtown
Len Eiserer, Millersville
Glenn H. Landis, Lititz
Kevin F. Fry, Lititz
Fred Daum, Lancaster
Published December 11, 2005
'Upset' Gray to review project
Mayor-elect raises questions after consultant pulls support of
center.
By Daniel Burke
Lancaster New Era
Published: Dec 09, 2005 1:07 PM EST
Center opponents picket LNP
Group
alleges slanted newspaper coverage. Exec denies charge.
By Bernard Harris
Lancaster New Era
Published: Dec 09, 2005 1:02 PM EST
Consultant says convention center study warrants an update
A consultant has suggested to Lancaster County Convention Center
Authority members that a 2002 feasibility study of the
hotel/convention center project in downtown Lancaster may need to be
updated.
BY DAVE PIDGEON, Intelligencer
Journal Staff
Published December 9, 2005
Turn Watt & Shand into consortium of museums
I support the county commissioners and the new
Lancaster County Convention Center Authority members for upholding
their fiduciary responsibility to ask difficult questions regarding
the multimillion-dollar, public-private convention center/hotel
project before this city and county assume massive debt liabilities.
TO THE
EDITOR: Intelligencer Journal
Suzanne Farmer Campbell
Lancaster
Commissioners
Accuse C.C. Authority Of Cover-Up
WGAL TV
POSTED: 3:45 pm EST December 8, 2005
UPDATED: 4:29 pm EST December 8, 2005
Consultant pulls support for city center
Firm says Penn Square project has
changed. The consulting firm that conducted
two positive feasibility studies for the proposed convention center
in Lancaster City says the project has changed so much it can no
longer consent to be connected with it.
By Daniel Burke
Lancaster New Era
Published: Dec 08, 2005 1:06 PM EST
Cooley: I am not a Grinch
Editor, New Era
Nevin D. Cooley President Penn Square General Corp.
Published December 8, 2005
About the W&S Christmas trees
Two recent reports (Intelligencer Journal, Dec. 2: "No Christmas
Tree, No Christmas Tree" and Lancaster New Era, Dec. 6, "For first
time in 80 years, Watt & Shand is treeless at Christmas") have left
the readers with the impression that Penn Square Partners has
assumed the role of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas because we didn't
decorate the Watt & Shand building this year. Unfortunately, neither
of these stories contained the total explanation for our decision.
I'd like to set the record straight.
Letter to the Editor, Intelligencer Journal
Nevin D. Cooley, President, Penn square General Partners
Published December 8, 2005
New convention center authority members sparking furor on board
The division over plans for a downtown
hotel and convention center is now quite clear on the board of the
authority charged with building the center.
New Era
Published
December 7, 2005
Two new authority members take heat
Two new Lancaster County
Convention Center Authority board members Tuesday said chairman Ted
Darcus weeks ago encouraged them to keep private their concerns
about the proposed hotel/convention center project. Darcus:
They want to kill city project.
By Dave
Pidgeon, Intelligencer Journal
Published December 7, 2005
For first time in 80 years, Watt & Shand is treeless at Christmas
Holiday decorating
fashions come and go, but until this year Lancastrians could count
on one festive element to dominate the downtown at Christmastime.
By J. Bruabaker,
New Era
Published December 6, 2005
County budget hearing may draw a crowd
With no tax increase proposed, one might expect the public
presentation of Lancaster County’s 2006 budget tonight to be an
uneventful walk in the park.
By Daniel Burke
Lancaster New Era
Published: Dec 06, 2005 1:11 PM EST
A courthouse divided, badly and bitterly Commissioners will pay a
hefty price for infighting, critics say
For the Lancaster County commissioners, the
political price of the past year's divisive actions, court battles
and infighting is more than they can afford, according to many
community leaders.
BY DAVE PIDGEON, Intelligencer
Journal Staff
Published December 6, 2005
Convention center is cause of breakdown, commissioners say
The turning point came on a Sunday in May.
BY DAVE PIDGEON,
Intelligencer Journal Staff
Published December 6, 2005
Much ado about little Christmastime in the city
If only the Lancaster Campaign could bottle Friday
night and market it.
The
combination of First Friday and the Penn Square Christmas Tree
lighting attracted thousands of people downtown. Shops were full,
young and old were trekking through downtown streets, Miss
Pennsylvania was singing Christmas tunes and Santa and Mayor Charlie
Smithgall formed their own welcoming committee. And, of course, the
Tubadours offered their brassy version of Christmas fare.
It's hard to
tell when a community officially is "back,'' but there was a buzz in
downtown Lancaster on the first two post-Thanksgiving weekends that
is unmistakable.
Editorial: In
our view
Intelligencer Journal
Published December 5, 2005
Questioning authority
As the three new county appointees to the Lancaster
County Convention Center Authority Board, we have been asking lots
of questions about the project, its status and its structure.
By Laura
Douglas, Jack Craver, Deb Hall
Sunday News
Published: Dec 03, 2005 11:35 PM EST
Can't live with them, can't ...
No recall Memorable characters ... get rid of them. State
has no recall system for officials. With controversy swirling around the Lancaster
County commissioners and calls for their resignation being heard,
what would happen if one or more of them left office before
completing their term?
By Paula Wolf,
Sunday News Staff Writer \
Published December 4, 2005
No Christmas trees, no Christmas trees
Beloved decorations are 'not safe,'
official says
BY COLBY ITKOWITZ, Intelligencer
Journal Staff
Published December 2, 2005
Center Authority spending questioned
Expenditures at $13.25 million through end of March.
Details sought by opponents.
Even before
construction begins, the public authority charged with bringing a
new convention center to Lancaster City has spent about $13.25
million in six years, according to its executive director.
By DANIEL BURKE, New Era Staff
Writer
Published December 2, 2005
It's time to be more decisive, less divisive
Building consensus.
It's been a decade, and the windows are still
dark. I don't know anyone who's happy about that. Nobody thinks it's
a good thing that a landmark four-story building just rots.
By Jeff Hawkes, Intelligencer
Journal
Published December 1, 2005
November 2005
In GOP, a call for unity, focus on principles
Republican leaders here
call for effort to iron-out differences.
By TOM MURSE,
New Era Staff Writer
Published November 30, 2005
Shellenberger, Shaub on the GOP hot seat
Tuesday's Republican
Committee meeting could lead to resolutions regarding the party's
displeasure with its two county commissioners.
By RYAN
ROBINSON, New Era Staff Writer
Published: November 28, 2005
Don’t do as I do
County, up to neck in interest swaps, tries to shoot down use by
convention authority. Debate over interest rate swaps roiled the
county commissioners last week, as two commissioners tried to block
a swap deal by the convention center authority and the third
commissioner reminded his colleagues that they had also voted to
approve the complex investment tools.
By Helen Colwell Adams
Sunday News
Published: November 26, 2005
It's time for county leaders to step down
I sit in amazement at the commissioners' meetings
wondering how this collection of people got placed in such important
positions and how much longer we are going to tolerate their
nonsense.
Op Ed/Sunday
News
Art Morris, Former Mayor
Published: November 26, 2005
Let's not make a deal
We agree with county Commissioner Molly Henderson that the Lancaster
County Convention Center Authority is engaging in risky business by
proposing an interest rate swaption to raise more cash.
Editorial
Sunday News
Published: November 26, 2005
Commissioners urge Authority to stop swap of center bonds
Henderson,
Shellenberger urging Convention Center group not to sell $40 million
in construction bonds. The two Lancaster County Commissioners
opposed to construction of a downtown convention center and hotel
are making another attempt to slow or stop the project.
By BERNARD
HARRIS, New Era Staff Writer
Published Friday, November 25, 2005
Why proceed with center?
It seems every time I pick up my
daily Intell, I read about another entanglement with regard to
building the convention center. Anything this tangled up should not
be allowed to exist. If I had a piece of string this tangled up, I
would cut it off and start over.
Letter to the editor
Intelligencer Journal
John M. Smith, Mount Gretna
A common Election Day message
We have a right to hear
the people's business conducted in public.
Letter to the
Editor
IntelligencerJournal
Rick Sauder, Lancaster
Published November 21, 2005
Henderson challenges action on hotel loan
Both sides of the debate over the proposed Penn Square
hotel/convention center drew battle lines again Friday, this time
over a financing tool to benefit the Lancaster County Convention
Center Authority.
BY DAVE PIDGEON, Intelligencer
Journal Staff
Published November 19, 2005
Redevelopers join hotel-center legal fray
City authority seeks to
intervene in state court appeal by two county commissioners who are
opposed to project.
By BERNARD
HARRIS, New Era Staff Writer
Published November 18, 2005
County GOP: Restore integrity, competence
In the past two local elections, the party has failed to produce
the caliber of candidate needed to serve in the county's highest
offices.
Editorial
Lancaster New Era
Published November 18, 2005
Eden Resort to add 'high-end' suites in $5 million project
The Eden owners spearheaded a revolt by county
hoteliers who filed an unsuccessful lawsuit to thwart a January 2000
county ordinance.
BY PATRICK BURNS, Intelligencer
Journal Staff
Published: November 18, 2005
How can center survive?
My
question to the Lancaster Convention Center Authority and center
advocates is: If the Farm Show Complex is in financial trouble, how
can you possibly think a convention center in downtown Lancaster
will be successful?
Letter to the
Editor
MaryAnne Motter Cullen,
Lancaster
Intelligencer Journal: Published November 18, 2005
Inquiring minds ... ... have a right to know what boards are acting
on
In our view
Intelligencer Journal
Published November 17, 2005
Wants center referendum
Here it is again the cost of the convention center keeps going
up. Let the people vote on it.
Letter to the Editor Intelligencer Journal
Gloria
Rampulla, Lancaster
Published November 14, 2005
Questions persist as authority costs shift
Well-spent? Watt &
Shand. It might come as a surprise to many that the Lancaster County
Convention Center Authority spent nothing on lawsuits last year.
By Judy A. Strausbaugh, Sunday
News Staff Writer
Published November 13, 2005
County takes aim at center plan
Asks court to
invalidate city guarantee of $36 million in bonds. Lancaster County
officials filed a petition in Commonwealth Court Friday asking that
it throw out Lancaster city's debt guarantees for the proposed
$137.8 million hotel/convention center.
BY PATRICK BURNS, and DAVE
PIDGEON, Intelligencer Journal Staff
Published November 12, 2005
Is Shellenberger the pot or the kettle?
Process corrupted
Favoritism revealed. Headline-making resignations. It's getting to
be an annual thing at the courthouse.
By Jeff Hawkes
Intelligencer Journal
Published November 12, 2005
Gray hopes to expedite city center
Mayor-elect tells
Convention Center Authority that he continues to support downtown
project.
By Bernard Harris
Lancaster New Era
Published: Nov 10, 2005
City center authority approves contracts
New board
members' questions draw ire.
The proposed hotel/convention center for downtown Lancaster took
another step forward Wednesday when Lancaster County Convention
Center Authority approved development and operational contracts with
the two other developers, Penn Square Partners and Redevelopment
Authority of the City of Lancaster.
BY DAVE PIDGEON, Intelligencer Journal Staff
Published November 10, 2005
Lancaster elects Gray as mayor
Leads Democratic sweep of
city offices. Gray said the first thing
he will do as mayor-elect is bring together a group of advisers and
experts to "expedite" the proposed hotel/convention center on Penn
Square.
By Dave Pidgeon, Intelligencer Journal Staff
Intelligencer Journal
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