The Year: 2005
The issue: Two attorneys want to plop a bizarre-looking casino into downtown Lancaster, what could have been former Mayor Charlie Smithgall’s final fingerprint on the city he loves so much.
Remember how this could have appeared along North Queen Street?
Ah, the good old days of 2005. A seminal year for your coffee-lovin’ journalist of a unique feather. Hard to believe it’s been more than three years since the casino racket rumbled through the local political spectrum. And who should ride in on a Washington, D.C. horse to lead the opposition? Why, it was Republican U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts. Remember the hoopla over the meeting Pitts led in the county courthouse with elected officials to organize opposition? He lent his face, voice and political gravitas to oppose the proposed casino.
I bring this up because with the push by Willow Valley Associates to overturn West Lampeter Township’s 74-year-old alcohol prohibition, another situation similar to the casino is developing. I doubt Pitts sails in, but what about state Rep. Scott Boyd or state Sen. Lloyd Smucker, who both live in … you guessed it … West Lampeter?
Let’s be clear - Smucker and Boyd in their capacity as state lawmakers have no direct influence on the outcome should Willow Valley successfully place a referendum on the May ballot that would seek to overturn the alcohol prohibition. Smucker and Boyd have no more say in the matter than the other 13,000 residents. Each has a single vote (assuming they’re registered … speaking of which, if you’re not, get your tail down to the county Board of Elections and sign up).
And yet, the two Republicans could play a great role in the outcome whether for or against. They could come out with a public statement in favor or in opposition to an ordinance change. They could bring to either side of the debate name recognition, prestige, political capital and skill in navigating the municipal political realm. Boyd’s been winning elections since 2003. Smucker before becoming a state Senator last year served as a township supervisor. They know how to win in West Lampeter.
I talked to both today. For their exact comments, check out tomorrow’s story in the Intelligencer Journal. I will say this - despite the fact that Smucker’s campaign committee received $1,500 last year from Willow Valley executives and Boyd’s has received $4,000 since 2003, both said that will not sway them toward openly supporting Willow Valley’s efforts. Said Boyd: ”Hundreds of people have supported us through the years, and I value each and every one of them. I respect the opinions of everyone in the district, even if we don’t agree on things.
“I ain’t for sale.”
What’s also interesting is how the Lampeter-Strasburg Republican Committee will react … and what they expect of their local lawmakers. If the Lampeter-Strasburg GOP should come out VERY strongly against it, expecting the GOP to turn to Boyd and Smucker for support is not beyond imagination. And trust me when I say it’s in the best interest of any lawmaker to keep good relations with the local party.
On the other hand, looking at the committee list, there’s a lot of smart Republicans on the Lampeter-Strasburg GOP, and they know the pitfalls for Boyd and Smucker should they weigh in. My prediction is the local Republican Committee won’t demand the two lawmakers get involved. Better they keep focused on the doings in Harrisburg than become embroiled in a local brouhaha.
Let us also not forget how Smucker and Boyd have another high-profile public official who they can call a neighbor in West Lampeter. Lancaster County Commissioner Scott Martin lives there too, and he’s a GOP committee man. Martin was not available for comment tonight, but I’m guessing he feels as Boyd and Smucker do.
