Hm. Some interesting responses to the story last weekend of Manheim Township tossing that “citizens” group, Lancaster for Smart Growth, because attorney William Cluck won’t identify members of the group beyond two whom he refused to make available for an interview.
The prevailing wisdom, so to speak, seems to be encapsulated over at NewsLanc, which righteously intones:
Even more relevant, what is the problem if rival developers are funding the opposition, so long as locals are involved and the information provided is accurate? The involvement of rivals can be positive, because how else could opponents afford an attorney and research to combat the High juggernaut? Note to the Sunday News: This is the American way, practiced by Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
Furthermore, it is dangerous to one’s livelihood and social standing to be seen as opposing the power elite here in Lancaster or, for that matter, most anywhere. According to our source who chooses to be unidentified (but three guesses), business contacts and friends will in private praise and encourage your efforts but don’t expect for them to sit next to you at a Rotary meeting or invite you any more to their parties.
A few things.
First, let’s define “locals are involved.” As Cluck told me, two locals are involved, he named them and I printed those names: Dory Dianna, who owns a home near the Deisley farm, and Mike Stephenson, who lives there with her. Both are unlisted, but courtesy of a reader I’ve been given an address and will be knocking on that door to see if I can get some comment this week.
So there are indeed “locals involved” - but the question is, how did they get involved? Were they so outraged they went looking for a lawyer - or did the lawyer come looking for them, come looking for some locals to give the “citizens group” a “local” veneer?
Again: Having spoken with people who live in the Farmingdale Road area who are very much opposed to High’s plan but were not asked to join the group, who in fact had to be informed of its existence and say they do not know anyone who is a member of the group beyond the two aformentioned folks - does this sound like a legitimate “grass roots” movement to you?
Which leads to point number two. The enmity against High in this county is so great (earned, some would say) that those who oppose High, those who oppose the convention center, basically don’t care what tactics are employed against High, so long as they are successful.
Fine. But imagine, if you will, High doing this sort of thing. Perhaps with the convention center itself - “Concerned Citizens For the Convention Center.” A “citizens” group that’s actually a front group for High itself - with, you know, a couple city residents recruited to give it a “local” face.
Consider then the reaction if those opposed to the convention center found out about it.
Do you think there’d be a little outrage?
My God, I can see the spittle-flecked computer screens right now. This would be very height of mendacity; perhaps the most dishonest thing ever perpetrated in Lancaster County.
But see, if “Lancaster for Smart Growth” is a front group, and you’re OK with that because you dislike High and you too would like to see the Crossings defeated, you’ve just legitimized this. Which means you pretty much lose the right to complain when the tactic now employed against your foe becomes the tactic employed by your foe.
And make no mistake: If you legitimize this, it will be employed against legitimate citizens’ interests. Indeed, I’d be surprised if it hasn’t already been; the more I think about this, the more convinced I become that this is probably not the first time it has been done around here.
If we’re going to dub this ”the American way,” then it sure won’t be the last.
