The Nov. 30th front page headlines two extensive articles: "A Hole in our Net" describing "the closing of one emergency shelter next year could leave more people on the streets" and "Where offenders plead...and cry" which, along with a second article, describes the workings of the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program.
WATCHDOG: Both articles, the former by Helen Colwell Adams the latter by Jon Rutter, are excellent journalism. Adams' article is New York Times / Washington Post quality. Hopefully the Sunday News will continue and expand its in depth coverage of local community problems.
With growing satisfaction, the WATCHDOG recognizes that all three Lancaster Newspapers have progressed from the dark days of their disgraceful coverage of the Convention Center and Conestoga View controversies. Hopefully ownership has learned to avoid financial conflicts of interests. The Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. would do well to follow Fulton Bank's lead by exiting Penn Square Partners.
Our community will neither prosper nor be honorable without conscientious media. WGAL - take note.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
NEW ERA
A Nov. 24 article was headed "Will open-meetings law ever be revived?" and goes on to say "The state House adjourned for the year Wednesday without taking action on Senate Bill 467. The bill would have increased fines to pen meetings, violations from $100 to $1,000." It then quoted retiring Sen. Gibson Armstrong as saying "Hopefully, somebody else will pick up the banner and move forward."
WATCHDOG: The state legislature took no action probably because the members recognize restricting legislators from discussing matters outside of public session is impractical and unenforceable.
The commissioners Dick Shellenberger, Molly Henderson and Pete Shaub were fined because they agreed to a violation as a sop to then District Attorney Donald Totaro to get him to call off his year long witch hunt, which had come up totally empty.
The Grand Jury did not present evidence of violations by the commissioners. Rather it described the Sunshine Act as ineffectual.
True protection comes from a requiring a second reading and mandating sufficient delay before passage for public input.
WATCHDOG: The state legislature took no action probably because the members recognize restricting legislators from discussing matters outside of public session is impractical and unenforceable.
The commissioners Dick Shellenberger, Molly Henderson and Pete Shaub were fined because they agreed to a violation as a sop to then District Attorney Donald Totaro to get him to call off his year long witch hunt, which had come up totally empty.
The Grand Jury did not present evidence of violations by the commissioners. Rather it described the Sunshine Act as ineffectual.
True protection comes from a requiring a second reading and mandating sufficient delay before passage for public input.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
SUNDAY NEWS-
The main "Letters to Editor" section was devoted to letters on Gay Marriage and The Election. The only two letters dealing with a matter of pressing local public policy and providing news worthy information were buried under F&M Plans towards the end of the Letters on the back page. (Worse yet, on our copy they were covered with blue ink which ran off from a "Flu Vaccines" ad making them almost unreadable.)
WATCHDOG: Last week, the Perspective section lead with an arguably duplicitous letter in support of F&M: (1)It implies Hour Glass backing, (2)it fails to disclose that the writer has been or is employed by a subsidiary of F&M, and (3) it presents a 'straw man' argument rather than dealing with real railroad yard relocation issues. Therefore, letters in response deserve prominent treatment.
Furthermore, when Marv Adams acknowledged to NewsLanc that he had failed to remember and mention the writers connection with F&M, he should have made use of his weekly column to so advise Sunday News readers.
WATCHDOG: Last week, the Perspective section lead with an arguably duplicitous letter in support of F&M: (1)It implies Hour Glass backing, (2)it fails to disclose that the writer has been or is employed by a subsidiary of F&M, and (3) it presents a 'straw man' argument rather than dealing with real railroad yard relocation issues. Therefore, letters in response deserve prominent treatment.
Furthermore, when Marv Adams acknowledged to NewsLanc that he had failed to remember and mention the writers connection with F&M, he should have made use of his weekly column to so advise Sunday News readers.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
NEW ERA
Its editorial "A better option for auto industry" of Nov. 18 opines: "There is an alternative for the automakers, but it's not found in the halls of congress: reorganization under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code."
WATCHDOG: We couldn't agree more!
We are sickened by lobbyists and legislators touting for the automakers by exclaiming that bankruptcy would bring an end to the US auto industry. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The manufacturers would continue operations as though nothing happened, their credit now restored since new obligations would have precedence over old debts. And under court supervision, fair significant debt reduction would be worked out through stockholders, creditors, executives and pension funds sharing the pain.
Also auto makers' plans for re-organization would call for new, more competent management.
As for spare parts, so long as there is a demand, others will supply them, as they do already.
(Added on Nov. 19) For an excellent analysis of the benefits for the auto industry of Chapter 11 bankruptcy, visit the New York Times editorial here .
WATCHDOG: We couldn't agree more!
We are sickened by lobbyists and legislators touting for the automakers by exclaiming that bankruptcy would bring an end to the US auto industry. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The manufacturers would continue operations as though nothing happened, their credit now restored since new obligations would have precedence over old debts. And under court supervision, fair significant debt reduction would be worked out through stockholders, creditors, executives and pension funds sharing the pain.
Also auto makers' plans for re-organization would call for new, more competent management.
As for spare parts, so long as there is a demand, others will supply them, as they do already.
(Added on Nov. 19) For an excellent analysis of the benefits for the auto industry of Chapter 11 bankruptcy, visit the New York Times editorial here .
NEW ERA
On Nov. 17, the first of a series appeared entitled "Investigative series: A pattern of prison abuse?" concerning a history of incidents of alleged prisoner abuse at the County Prison.
WATCHDOG: NewsLanc broke the story the prior Thursday with "County Warden sued in Federal Court for inmate abuse" and was preparing its own investigation of the prison. The New Era series is off to a good start, so the Watchdog will simply monitor from the sidelines.
WATCHDOG: NewsLanc broke the story the prior Thursday with "County Warden sued in Federal Court for inmate abuse" and was preparing its own investigation of the prison. The New Era series is off to a good start, so the Watchdog will simply monitor from the sidelines.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
SUNDAY NEWS
WATCHDOG: We must admit: We read the Sunday News. We like the Sunday News. We even like it when we disagree!
It may be the best bucks we spend all week.
It may be the best bucks we spend all week.
SUNDAY NEWS
In "Rail-yard move will benefit all" by Ronald T. Bailey, the author introduces himself "as a member of the board of directors of the Hourglass Foundation" and concludes "This project improves transportation and will be a catalyst for revitalization. Done properly, it will benefit all Lancastrians."
WATCHDOG: Is Bailey speaking on behalf of himself or for Hourglass Foundation? This is but the first of his obfuscations.
Aopparently unbeknown to Bailey, his conclusion is consistent with the position of TRRAAC: a new rail yard is desirable. Bailey's article is irrelevant to the real issue of dispute: Is the site proposed the best of three alternatives?
So we can't tell for whom Bailey is speaking. Moreover, he apparently doesn't understand what the controversy is all about.
WATCHDOG: Is Bailey speaking on behalf of himself or for Hourglass Foundation? This is but the first of his obfuscations.
Aopparently unbeknown to Bailey, his conclusion is consistent with the position of TRRAAC: a new rail yard is desirable. Bailey's article is irrelevant to the real issue of dispute: Is the site proposed the best of three alternatives?
So we can't tell for whom Bailey is speaking. Moreover, he apparently doesn't understand what the controversy is all about.
Monday, November 10, 2008
INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL
The Nov. 10 editorial "Precautionary steps" discusses how Gov. Ed Rendell during his terms in office "increased funding for education, infrastructure and a host of other projects." It relates how the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities recently "offered a stark outlook on the economy." It then praises Rendell for cutting back state spending and concluded "Under ordinary circumstances, cutting funds - especially in education - would draw a strong rebuke. But in this instance, the governor has taken the proper precautionary steps to attempt to avoid tax hikes at a time when people can least afford them."
WATCHDOG: The Intell has things backwards!
Government cutting back spending to "balance the budget" is the very approach that stifled recovery in the 1930's and kept the nation in a Great Depression until World War II. As economist Sir John Maynard Keynes established, governments should build surpluses during prosperity and generate deficits during recessions. (Correctly, a large surplus was nurtured during the prosperous second term of the Clinton administration.)
Rendell should not have been overspending earlier during prosperity and should not cut back on worthy causes during the current financial crisis. Nothing is more wasteful and damaging to the economy than having large amounts of people and capital sitting idle.
WATCHDOG: The Intell has things backwards!
Government cutting back spending to "balance the budget" is the very approach that stifled recovery in the 1930's and kept the nation in a Great Depression until World War II. As economist Sir John Maynard Keynes established, governments should build surpluses during prosperity and generate deficits during recessions. (Correctly, a large surplus was nurtured during the prosperous second term of the Clinton administration.)
Rendell should not have been overspending earlier during prosperity and should not cut back on worthy causes during the current financial crisis. Nothing is more wasteful and damaging to the economy than having large amounts of people and capital sitting idle.
Friday, November 7, 2008
INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL
On Nov. 7, columnist Jeff Hawkes reports "Half of all Latino students at McCaskey High School drop out."
WATCHDOG: Considering that approximately 60% of the population at McCaskey is Latino, this is both terrifying and unacceptable. We are grateful to Hawkes for spotlighting this disgrace and also for praising the efforts of parent Frances Rodriguez.
A contributing factor to the drop out rate is the abject failure of the School District of Lancaster's athletic program which has been under the supervision of Assistant Superintendent Drew Miles. For example, once a football powerhouse, McCaskey lost every football game this year! Such results do not build student self esteem nor encourage them to remain in school
WATCHDOG: Considering that approximately 60% of the population at McCaskey is Latino, this is both terrifying and unacceptable. We are grateful to Hawkes for spotlighting this disgrace and also for praising the efforts of parent Frances Rodriguez.
A contributing factor to the drop out rate is the abject failure of the School District of Lancaster's athletic program which has been under the supervision of Assistant Superintendent Drew Miles. For example, once a football powerhouse, McCaskey lost every football game this year! Such results do not build student self esteem nor encourage them to remain in school
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