Artie See
3/10/08
7:45 PM | Sorry for the delayed response, its been a heavy day.
QUOTE(gsmart @ Mar 10 2008, 03:01 PM) [snapback]364635[/snapback] But again: We're seeing this as a zero-sum game, aren't we? Absolutely not. If the convention center remains a convention center, the cost to taxpayers will greatly outweigh any possible benefit that comes from it. If the convention center becomes a casino, it will be Lancaster County's sense of morality that will be forever harmed.
QUOTE(gsmart @ Mar 10 2008, 03:01 PM) [snapback]364635[/snapback] You know, the very same dynamic is in play over at the Armstrong site, with what F&M and LGH are doing. They are obviously two very big players (probably the biggest, now) in the city, and what's happening over there, via tax dollars and some of their own, is certainly going to benefit two institutions with deep pockets. These are two very different "dynamics", to use your description. The Armstrong project involves substantial amounts of private investment, and the public funding will be derived from increased tax revenues on privately-funded improvements in the area.
The hotel and convention center project is overwhelmingly funded with taxpayer dollars from outside Lancaster City; there is only $11 million in private up-front investment, plus $24 million from future profits over 20 years. And the City of Lancaster is building and will own the "private" hotel for at least 20 years. The remaining $141+ million is all taxpayer dollars.
There is no comparison between the two.
QUOTE(gsmart @ Mar 10 2008, 03:01 PM) [snapback]364635[/snapback] There will be benefits for the city - but because there will be benefits, too, for the deep pockets, it's all invalid? It's all a matter of degrees. See my previous comments.
QUOTE(gsmart @ Mar 10 2008, 03:01 PM) [snapback]364635[/snapback] The public absolutely must have a seat at the table. But particularly now, as these things are happening and "the public" opposes it: Where is the comprehensive alternative for Lancaster, as formulated by "the people?" I've asked the same question many times. When did "the public" ever have "a seat at the table", especially with the hotel and convention center project?
Of particular interest is the massive increase in size and cost of the project during 2003. The local media reported this redesign was specifically to "save money", instead it has cost taxpayers an extra $100 million.
QUOTE(gsmart @ Mar 10 2008, 03:01 PM) [snapback]364635[/snapback] Do you see what I'm saying? You may hate the term "naysayer," but it's appropriate to ask: Where is the public? Why is it the public doesn't seem to give a good g*ddamn until something comes up that they don't like? Where are they during the process? Most likely because the vast majority of people were seduced by the local media's unabashed support for the project. After all, if you read it in the newspaper, or see it on WGAL-TV, shouldn't you believe it? 
QUOTE(gsmart @ Mar 10 2008, 03:01 PM) [snapback]364635[/snapback] Now, above all, if you don't like what's happening in the City of Lancaster, if you think that too much is being done for the haves and not enough for the have-nots - for God's sake, stop wasting your time posting on TalkBack and b*tching about it, and go do something about it. I have, Gil. I've been to most convention center board and committee meetings, and City Council meetings, since late 2004.
Like most people, the project didn't bother me at first enough to do anything about it. I only got involved when the Penn Square Partners - embodied in Dale High - threatened to pull out of the project unless they didn't have to pay taxes for their "private" hotel for at least 20 years. Now, Lancaster City taxpayers are building and will own a "private" hotel for at least 20 years.
As I said above, most Lancaster County residents never bother to question what they read in the newspaper. Of course, (with the exception of your column) you know that already.
QUOTE(gsmart @ Mar 10 2008, 03:01 PM) [snapback]364635[/snapback] Form a citizens' committee and start looking at these issues not on a piecemeal basis - such what should have been done on Penn Square - but from a broader, overall point of view. What's the future of this city? How is that future achieved? What do we need? How are we going to get it? We tried, Gil, with Lancaster First. But when it became very obvious that the immediate battle was lost, most people gave up. After all, why should we bother, when what we say and do makes little or no difference?
QUOTE(gsmart @ Mar 10 2008, 03:01 PM) [snapback]364635[/snapback] At the very, very least - run for office, start trying to change the dynamic. I've been asked to run for City Council many times. There is even a current high-ranking Lancaster City official who is trying very hard to persuade me to run.
I'm not going to do it.
To get elected in Lancaster, it is practically mandatory to be endorsed by a major party. And both major parties in Lancaster City strongly support the hotel and convention center project. My vocal opposition to said project guarantees that I will never be endorsed.
Besides, I remember how the only City Council member who dared to question the project was treated by other Lancaster City officials. On one occasion, the rest of City Council literally walked out of the room while Luis Mendoza was in mid-sentence, an orchestrated event that was designed to humiliate the only Lancaster City official to ask legitimate questions about the hotel and convention center project.
QUOTE(gsmart @ Mar 10 2008, 03:01 PM) [snapback]364635[/snapback] We say, the public has a right. And that's true. But the public also has a responsibility, one that goes beyond showing up after the decisions have been made. Get out in front of those decisions. It takes time and a commitment. But I'm telling you, it's the only way you're ever going to head anything off at the pass. I have, Gil. You can see exactly how far it has gotten me.
Look what has happened to people who really did try to get involved. R.B. Campbell and Kathleen Harrison have both quietly asked legitimate questions about the hotel and convention center project at times. When they ran for City Council, they had major problems raising money, because the people who have money to give didn't like questions being asked about the project. Their lack of adequate publicity due to a lack of funds contributed to their loss in last November's election.
Does that constitute class warfare? |
Couldn't have anything to do with the fact that he wants to put his fat wallet on a table that truly benefits the community that fattened the wallet in the first place, could it?
